Making this home...

 Elijah and Tijon--these brothers have a special relationship.

Now that we are getting familiar with the room that will be our home for now, I knew I had to make a Target run to pick up things that we didn't know we would need when we had prepared for this. Mark was able to come up today for the afternoon, and I ran over to Target to to pick up essentials...like some new flash cards for Elijah, batteries for his Leapster (we have already gone through the stash of them that we brought with), some food and toiletry items, and lots of storage containers. Anything that is brought into the room needs to be new, washable, or sealed in containers to keep the room germ free...

It was good to step outside the hospital. It can be tough not even to be able to step out of the room to go to the bathrooms without first calling someone to stay with him. He is not able to stay alone. I stepped into the hall while the staff were rounding yesterday morning (they always invite parents to be part of their rounding--which is great) and in that 2 minute time period, he managed to disconnect a port and he was dripping blood all over the floor. At least I know now that the staff will listen when I tell them he can't be left alone!

He is having a good day today!

It doesn't make sense...

Life defies our ability to comprehend it. So much of it doesn't make sense..there is so much irony.

It is when we are at our weakest, then we are strong.

It is through our struggles that we find deep and lasting joy that can not be taken away.

It is when we are broken, that we find healing.

It is when we realize that many of the answers are beyond our comprehension, that we find the truth right before us.

It is through our childlike faith, not our intellect that allows us to see.

And it is in our utter dependence, not our careful life planning that we find peace filled
security.

Life does not make any sense without Jesus Christ.


As I sit by the bedside of my precious little boy, I am filled with gratitude and peace.
We have a faith that often does not make sense to those looking in. I feel like God has been using this trial in our lives to reveal Himself to us in ways we had never even imagined. The depth of his love and mercy and power are shining through like piercing beams of light in the darkness. God is indeed good and shining brightly  in the Pediatric BMT unit.

Elijah had his 2nd dose of chemotherapy last evening. He did well with it for the most part. He was having issues keeping his heart rate up and has some issues with his oxygen levels dipping overnight. The issues have been manageable at the bedside but a few times overnight staff have rushed in ready for potential intervention (i.e.resusitation). Each time, his breathing and oxygen levels came up on their own with just some blow by oxygen.

And, I am so excited to share that by the end of last evening, Elijah has been tolerating all of the procedures (blood pressures, temps, etc...) with out any signs of fear or anxiety! This is such an incredible answer to prayer and Lord willing, will make this process go much more smoothly. I can not express how grateful we are that Elijah is not feeling so much anxiety and fear over these things. What an amazing relief.

Today will much the same as the last two days. He will receive another dose of chemotherapy drug number one. There are two other different chemo drugs yet too come over the next 7 days. He has had little nausea or diarrhea at this point but this may be starting today. He really, really wants to "be done with the doctors and go to the elevator, the tunnel, and the mall of America."

The staff have been wonderful with Elijah here...taking lots of extra time with him as he processes information in his unique way. They give him time to make choices that he can make and they patiently do vital signs on both Elijah and all of his stuffed animals...which they all seem to know by name..even the doctors. God is taking care of all the details...

Life itself does not nake sense with out the death and resurrection...there is so much irony here on earth..and in that, God's perfect plan is revealed. And His plan is bringing us so much comfort...