Jacob is adapting to hospital life with lightning speed. What better way to start your morning then a few new friends and a great Sponge Bob comic book. Jake slept for 9 hours last night and only had to get up once in the middle of the night. This morning he is raring to go!
Yesterday was a pretty good day - the main challenge Jake had was lots (LOTS!) of muscle aches and muscle spasms, up to a 10 on the smiley pain scale. Grandma Dee was a great help in massaging those away, swapping the hot packs and generally distracting him in the midst of the pain. One of the major contributing factors to the muscle pain is the almost complete lack of movement and activity for the last 48 hours and so we are working on getting some exercise to that little body. Usually that is walking a couple of laps around the hallways of the 8th floor. We have even managed to set the security alarm off on one of these jaunts - but according to the nurses - not our fault. Any time something starts beeping Jake is quick to analyze if he is causing it and then declares, "Not me!"
When we leave the room Jake has to wear a mask. His favorite right now is the Disney Mickey Mouse and friends. This just helps protect him from any wandering germs out there. We are all learning how to navigate with the IV pole and are making strides. I imagine if we stay much longer Jake will be riding it around the halls like a skate board.
Yesterday afternoon we did get the kind of news we want to hear. The chemo is already starting to work. Jacob started his chemotherapy Friday night between 10 and 11 PM. The blood draw they took at 4 AM showed increased platelets (into the low end of the normal scale) and a decrease in the blasts (leukemia cells)! Thank you Father God.
Our friend Allison pointed out this amazing verse in the bible, Isaiah 58:8. It starts by saying, "Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear;" In the midst of the scariest time in our life - God is faithful!
Right diagnosis *
Right Hospital *
Right Doctor *
Right Medicine *
*Right God!
3 comments:
Hello Carlson family,
We heard about Jacob's illness last night at church and have been praying consistently since. As someone who can say 'we've been there', I admire your immediate and unshakable understanding that God is there with you and FOR you!
Jacob, I'm so impressed with your strength and courage--I know adults who have had ports put in and complained a lot more than it sounds like you're doing. Kids definitely have something on adults when it comes to pain management!
We are looking forward to hearing more about how God has planned for you and your total and complete recovery. Please let us know when you'll be home and we would LOVE to bring you meals and help out with getting you settled back into home. And I really mean this. I expect to hear what foods you can and cannot eat (or don't like for that matter), and being a fellow Grocery Gamer, I want to know if you need help with your shopping too. From experience, keeping up with 'life' while all these things are happening is what is hardest.
Here's a verse from Psalms (a wonderful place to be reading during difficult times in general) that really meant a lot to us when Natalie was waiting for her heart transplant and recovering:
Psalm 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
And I pray this lifts your spirits and gives you strength during this season in your lives as it did during Natalie's.
May God bless you,
Elisa Wertz
Awww, so glad you got something out of that awesome verse too. Lukey and I prayed it last night for you Jacob!!! The bible reminds us that whenever two or more are gathered in His name, so He is there also. Even tho it is a bit scarey for Luke right now to come and visit, he wants you to know he is gathered with in in God's name, praying healing to your body!! We are gathered with you in spirit little man.....you are amazing and have the finger prints of God on you, what more could you need!!!! Cancer is not the hand of God, but the love of others around you is. Focus on that Carlson's, you are loved beyone measure, here on earth and even more so in Heaven. God holds you tight in times of suffering and will never let you go Jacob......hold tight to His hands.
Blessings,
The Foissets
Jacob,
You are such a special boy! We can't stop thinking about you and praying for you. We are so glad your mom and dad are keeping us all updated. It is so nice to check up on you everyday and see how you are doing. Hang in there kiddo! One day at a time!! We will pray for your muscle aches!!
We love you!
Nicole, Raul, Matthew, and Michael
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