Saturday, November 6, 2010


Saturday, November 6th

We are in-patient today for Drew to receive the scheduled round of chemo. It's been almost 3 weeks since his last treatment. His body's blood counts are not recovering as quickly as they have in the past, so his treatments have not been every other week as his doctor has ordered. In fact, he had to have a red blood cell transfusion today before they could do the chemo. We've totally finished one of the chemo meds, and it was the one that we feel like has caused him the most sickness with the mucousitis. The end is in sight! They told us today that after today we have 3 more rounds!! That's around 6 weeks--barring his counts recover as they should. Drew should be done with all his treatments around the end of the year. In total, he's lost 50 lbs. It was 60 lbs, but he's been able to add back 10 lbs over the past 2 weeks.

We just thank the Lord Jesus that He has never left our sides, and that He is continuing to strengthen and encourage Drew for this battle. And, we pray that God will use the cancer in Drew's life and in our lives to make us more like our Savior. I've had so many ask me, "How do you do it?" And, the answer to that is simply, I don't. Without the grace that has been poured out upon our family; without the mercy and forgiveness of a compassionate Savior Who knows I am but dust and fail miserably every single day; without the provision of a God Who never lets us walk in our valleys alone. Without Him, we are nothing and can accomplish nothing. Sometimes it frightens me to know that others...others who do not know the Lord Jesus as Savior are watching. And, seeing my life as an open book and a living testimony of whether my God is real. And, I am so glad that I can say as we look back over this year that God has been good. I am glad that even now I sing for the wonderful life we have. And, I thank you, Lord, for allowing us to rest in You.


Drew finds out that Josh has come home for his wish!


Sunday, October 3rd---Whew! What a Week!

Wow, the week went by so quickly, and we had a WONDERFUL time. The trip wasn't without adventure though. We were only on the boat a couple of hours when Clay fell playing basketball with Josh, Drew, and Benji. It had started to drizzle a little and Clay had on Crocs; he came down on the ankle and rolled it. Josh came carrying him back to the room, and his ankle was literally 3 x its normal size. Poor guy was in so much pain, too. The ship's infirmary asked us to come back the next morning for the x-ray. The next morning we were supposed to debark for our first port adventure in Nassau. The x-ray was at 10, so we didn't leave the ship until close to noon. We were really, really rushed trying to get everything done that Drew wanted to do. Some delays in paperwork also slowed things down some, but at the end of the day, Drew had gotten to "swim with the dolphins", as well as have fun at Atlantis park. Clay even got to participate since they decided to wait and cast him when we docked in Florida. They had given us a wheelchair, but there were many places that literally carried him on his back up and down stairs. I know Josh was in pain with his knee, but he either had to be carried or watch from the sideline. What a wonderful day that was! We were supposed to dock the next day at Castaway Cay, Disney's own private island. But, alas! the hurricane hoovering nearby prohibited the boat from docking. Plans were made to try again the next morning (Wednesday), but that effort failed as well. No matter though because there was so much to do on the ship itself that we didn't want for entertainment. Hailey got sick and spent one whole day in bed. And, I lived on the Dramamine the whole time. But, oh, if only we could have room service in bed every day!! Drew had a wonderful, wonderful time and made memories with all of us---Josh especially---that couldn't be bought with a bazillion dollars. We are thankful that the Lord blessed us with such an overwhelming wish granted for Drew. And, not only for Drew, but for all of us. The trip gave us a second-wind. An encouragement to keep going and stay the course. I hated, HATED to see Joshua leave, but we will always, always be grateful for this week.