So - in case anyone is keeping score
Philippians's - 1
Worry - 0
The visit with Doctor Odom (again!) went just amazingly well. Thank you so much for those of you who were and are praying for us.
Before we left the house Jacob took his Valium and we applied his emla (numbing) cream to both his port and the site where they will preform the tap. He is now healing so fast that I could not see the puncture from last week. This is really good news but it does make it harder to try and numb the right spot. That is probably why I tried to squeeze as much as possible under the tegaderm band aid to make sure we would have as little pain as possible. Of course, the side effect of that is once there is pressure on his back (ie. sitting in the car for the drive) the pressure made it kinda explode everywhere. Thank goodness for the travel bag and extra clothes that Brian put in the car.
Jacob was a total stud! Because of the emla explosion - Jacob's back was not as totally numb as we had hoped for and he did have some pain with the spinal tap. Even with the pain he stayed perfectly calm and in the perfect posture for the Dr to make the puncture. I know all the adults reading this understand how hard that would be for any of us - let alone for an 8 year old.
Joshua also deserves some all star recognition. As a child who craves the lime light he totally got that this morning was about his brother. He was soft spoken (yes, Joshua!) thoughtful and really focused on his brother. Josh prayed over our celebration pancakes at Ihop and it was so sweat as he thanked God for "giving Jacob a good day at the clinic and treatment to make him better".
Our lives are falling back towards "normal" patterns and I am so thankful for every window we get to see God in our lives. To know that He is, and that He is active and available is the normal we want to stay in.
Monday, June 30, 2008
anxious
I am feeling a little anxious this morning - it is my turn to take Jake in for his spinal tap.
Brian had only encouraging things to say after the last visit - about how good Jacob did - but I guess I am worried about how good I will do. Needles and I have a long history including but not limited to me passing out. It has been a long time since having a blood draw put me on the floor - but needless to say my goal would be to help and support Jake today, not to have to be taken from the room.
Did I mention Joshua will be coming with us? Again, I am asking why Valium was not prescribed for all family members involved? I have these horrible images of him being silly (as he is wont to do on occasion) as the Dr is placing the tap. It looks a little like an episode of the 3 Stooges visit the Dr - only Jake is the one who ends up on the receiving end of all the ouches.
The other thought circling through my brain this morning (in the voice of Jim Ladd) is the verse in Philippians that says "worry about nothing - pray about everything. I am much more practiced in worry - but today I will choose to pray. For anyone out there who will be speaking to Jesus today - please add our names to that conversation.
Brian had only encouraging things to say after the last visit - about how good Jacob did - but I guess I am worried about how good I will do. Needles and I have a long history including but not limited to me passing out. It has been a long time since having a blood draw put me on the floor - but needless to say my goal would be to help and support Jake today, not to have to be taken from the room.
Did I mention Joshua will be coming with us? Again, I am asking why Valium was not prescribed for all family members involved? I have these horrible images of him being silly (as he is wont to do on occasion) as the Dr is placing the tap. It looks a little like an episode of the 3 Stooges visit the Dr - only Jake is the one who ends up on the receiving end of all the ouches.
The other thought circling through my brain this morning (in the voice of Jim Ladd) is the verse in Philippians that says "worry about nothing - pray about everything. I am much more practiced in worry - but today I will choose to pray. For anyone out there who will be speaking to Jesus today - please add our names to that conversation.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Birthday Weekend
This weekend, we celebrated Jake's 8th Birthday party (pictures to come soon).
We were blessed to share it with some good friends at the pool in our complex. All of the kids seemed to have a great time swimming and playing with each other. Jake confessed to us later that he had an awesome time.
It was a day that most kids look forward to every year. For Jake, this was an especially exciting day. When we started on this journey in mid-May, none of us knew what to expect. Within a few days of starting his treatment and being told all of the things that he would be unable to do for a period of time, Jake was concerned that he would be unable to have a birthday party. As he started making good progress with his treatment, his concern moved towards whether or not his hair would all be gone by his birthday.
I think back to Birthday's that I have had in the past and it is impossible to think of any of them where my wishes were anywhere near Jake's were. Mine were filled with desires for baseball gloves, games, and good times. Never in wildest dreams would my wishes have been to not lose all my hair or to even be healthy enough to have a party.
Jake has been forced to grow-up much faster than anyone deserves. Although his party was for his 8th birthday, he has lived through more pain and stress than any child should ever have to endure. His treatment and his bodies response to the treatment has been better than anyone could have ever expected, but that does not make it any easier to walk with him though this.
I look forward to celebrating more birthdays with Jake, as well as celebrating a very special "birth"day - the day that the doctors determine that he has been cured of his leukemia and he can begin living his life with no longer having to be concerned about the future, but getting to look back at what he has come through.
It may be a number of years before the impact of all of this will be absorbed by Jake, but when it all sinks in for him he is going to have some incredible memories of family and friends.
Happy Birthday Jake!!!!!
We were blessed to share it with some good friends at the pool in our complex. All of the kids seemed to have a great time swimming and playing with each other. Jake confessed to us later that he had an awesome time.
It was a day that most kids look forward to every year. For Jake, this was an especially exciting day. When we started on this journey in mid-May, none of us knew what to expect. Within a few days of starting his treatment and being told all of the things that he would be unable to do for a period of time, Jake was concerned that he would be unable to have a birthday party. As he started making good progress with his treatment, his concern moved towards whether or not his hair would all be gone by his birthday.
I think back to Birthday's that I have had in the past and it is impossible to think of any of them where my wishes were anywhere near Jake's were. Mine were filled with desires for baseball gloves, games, and good times. Never in wildest dreams would my wishes have been to not lose all my hair or to even be healthy enough to have a party.
Jake has been forced to grow-up much faster than anyone deserves. Although his party was for his 8th birthday, he has lived through more pain and stress than any child should ever have to endure. His treatment and his bodies response to the treatment has been better than anyone could have ever expected, but that does not make it any easier to walk with him though this.
I look forward to celebrating more birthdays with Jake, as well as celebrating a very special "birth"day - the day that the doctors determine that he has been cured of his leukemia and he can begin living his life with no longer having to be concerned about the future, but getting to look back at what he has come through.
It may be a number of years before the impact of all of this will be absorbed by Jake, but when it all sinks in for him he is going to have some incredible memories of family and friends.
Happy Birthday Jake!!!!!
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