The Wait

7/7/2011: 6:40 AM

Greetings from Room 917!

Last Night:

supper in the cafeteria

The hemo/oncologists finally met with us yesterday evening. It appears that there were more blasts in his bone marrow fluid, which is consistent with the blasts in his blood.  Since the blasts were minimal, they feel it necessary to wait for the bone marrow biopsy to make a final diagnosis. The results will be able to tell us the answers to our questions and help us create a plan for any treatment needed.  So now we wait.  The results could take as long as Friday.

mesmorizing audio sculpture

Davis has been struggling with homesickness.  The doctors ordered a sedative in case he should need it overnight. To make the best of the evening, we traveled down to the cafeteria and grabbed a bite to eat and hung out in the gift shop for a bit. There is this "audio sculpture" outside of the gift shop, and he sat and watched that thing for quite some time.

When we returned to his room, we watched a couple of movies. He was starting to feel some pain from the bone marrow biopsy, so he was given some oxycoton. The plan was to give him Tylenol, but the doctor was afraid that the Tylenol would suppress any fever he might develop.  Between his immune system not properly working and fevers that accompany blood transfusions, fevers are monitored very carefully. The movie, "Peter Pan" must have been a bore, because he soon drifted off to sleep. Praise God for a peaceful night sleep.

This Morning:

A new surgeon just stopped by.  Davis's hemoglobin is still at a 7.2 (Healthy kids are around 14 or so.). This surgeon may be putting in a catheter (similar to a port) for chemo treatment if needed.  For this procedure, Davis will need more anesthesia.  With his hemoglobin a little low for anesthesia, Davis will undergo another blood transfusion in a little bit to stabilize him. It is impressive what cares goes into getting him safe blood.  In addition to screening it, etc., the blood is radiated to make it super safe. 

The hemo/oncologist told us that we will be here at least until Friday and maybe another week at best if treatments are needed. We are still believing for a miracle - for a healing, and we are very much aware that this may also be something completely non-cancerous. We are not jumping to any conclusions. We cling to the prayers, support, and words of encouragement we are getting from back home.  We also know that we are in a good place surrounded by amazing doctors.

The night that Dr. Leifheit called with the news, Kyle stretched out on the living room floor and read these scriptures to us.  I often find myself repeating the parts I have now memorized without thought; it seems there is always a prayer in my heart and near my lips.

James 5:13-16

 ¹³Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
 ¹⁴Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
 ¹⁵And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
 ¹⁶Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

And this scripture is constantly on my mind.  It has been made into a song that we sometimes sing at church. I find I am singing it all of the time now. 

Isaiah 40:30-31

³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
      And the young men shall utterly fall,
       ³¹ But those who wait on the LORD
      Shall renew their strength;
      They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
      They shall run and not be weary,
      They shall walk and not faint.

Again, thank you for the prayers.  We will keep you posted.