Just Checking In

Andrew is on Day 6 of his second round of chemo. He is.....well.......acting just like a two year old boy. He is eating, drinking, running, playing in the snow, jumping off of the couch, playing with his sisters and brother, listening to stories, skipping naps because he is doing summer saults in his crib, and sleeping great at night. We are so pleased with his health and state of things. So far we have had none of the side effects that we had last time or the ones we anticipated for this round (vomiting, no appetite, leg pains, mouth sores, or just sickness at all). He had his blood drawn yesterday and his counts were great. The nurses are pleased and he is in the clear so far. His counts will continue to drop this week and his lowest will probably be this weekend or the beginning of the week. But, so far, things are going well. We still have 16 more days though until round 3, so he is not in the clear yet, but today he is doing well.

  Rick and I are thankful. We got to go out on a date last night to Ruby Tuesdays. We shared a blondie and some ice cream and just talked as husband and wife. Some of our conversation revolved around chemo and schooling and kids and potty training. But some of it was spent laughing and hearing each other hearts about one another's lives. It was nice. We have loved having my parents here to help out with our kids. They have respected us and done above and beyond their "call of duty.' We will be sad to see them go, but also are ready to just try life again as a family of six. The Lord has been faithful to us. He has answered prayers about side effects and transitions. He has protected Andrew and helped him get through a household of sick people (my parents and girls are with colds) without getting sick. God has given us strength each day to spend time with each kid, if only for a few quality minutes. And He has kept Rick and I strong with each other. All those are true miracles. Unfortunately we still struggle with wondering when the other shoe will fall and the "bad" will happen, but we need help with our faith each day to believe God is good and He loves each of us.

 So that is where we are right now. Rick is ahead in sermon writing due to last week's snow. Madi is enjoying snow days home and time playing with princess dolls. Becca had her second music class today and can't stop talking about it. Luke is eating like a champ and getting into everything the way a 9 month old should. Andrew continues to amaze us each night when our home care nurse comes and gives him a shot. He cries and dreads the experience, but afterward loves to chat with her and share his toys with her. His heart is amazing and  his spirit is uplifted. And me, well, I love the ups and the downs of this crazy life. The stresses have not been from my little boy with cancer, but from the normal stresses of being a mother of 4. I can't seem to find the time....to be creative, to get chores done, to just be what impossible standard I have set for myself as a mom.  Some moments I wish I was back at JMU with no "major responsibilities" and other moments I love the life I have that reminds me each day that I have an abundant life that God has given to me.

  Two days ago when another snow storm came and brought about 12 inches of snow, my heart was anxious.  The last time it snowed here it was the day before we found out Andrew had cancer. I could still envision the things we did as a family before we took him to the doctor. A part of me dreaded going out. So much had changed in our lives. But the other part of me smiled. I smiled because two months later, my son who had been diagnosed with a Stage 3 neuroblastoma was suiting up to go back into the snow with his sisters. When we left the hospital last week we never imagined he would be doing so well and able to play. God has allowed these scary situations to occur in our lives, but He has also shown us the "beauty in the ashes." We have seen His hand carry us along the way and really bless us with wonderful surprises. We do not know what tomorrow holds. There is still worry in our hearts at times that things might take a turn for the worst, but tonight I will go to bed knowing that my kids got to be kids today and we are one day closer to the end of this chapter.