Sometimes It's the Little Things

Michael's six-month appointment and biopsy went well yesterday.  The clinic appointment was encouraging.  Michael was given more freedoms with his diet and permission to be more active socially.  It may even be possible for him to attend school during the last few weeks of the year.  The doctors eliminated one more of his medications.  Pending a good biopsy result, they agreed to remove Michael's broviac (the external central line) in the next couple of weeks.  Each little bit of good news was like the old cliche:  a breath of fresh air.

The biopsy itself went fine.  He experienced some pain which lasted into today, but it was manageable.  We wait now for up to two weeks for results.  Michael has complained each time of a horrible taste in his mouth after the anesthesia.  It seems like such a simple issue, but it makes any food or drink taste awful for the rest of the day.  For someone who has had to fast for 12 hours, eating becomes quite important!  It was one of my strangest prayer requests yet.  As he was waking up, he swallowed hard and groggily said, "I don't taste it."  Yesterday was full of these little things, but sometimes it's those little things that mean the most.

Six Month Biopsy Eve

It completely amazes us to report that Michael has reached the six month milestone since his biopsy.  These months have brought many, many blessings.  Michael has stayed healthy in spite of his compromised immune system.  His strength and stamina are constantly improving.  He has been able to stay current with school work.  Our entire family has been healthy—an amazing feat for seven active, social people—during this important time in Michael’s recovery.  So many of you have been such an encouragement to us as well.

We spent today at the hospital, running from test to test.  Once again, the heart, lungs, eyes, and ears needed to be checked for possible effects from the chemo and radiation.  Initial results seemed fine; complete results will take some time.

 We will return to the hospital tomorrow for another biopsy.  The butterflies take flight again.  It will be a long two weeks until we’ll know whether the cancer or the chromosomal defect has returned.  The words from Isaiah are a real comfort:  “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee . . .”

The Next Hurdle

April 24.  In two more weeks Michael will face the next hurdle in this race.  That day marks six months (Day 180) since his bone marrow transplant.  He will have another biopsy done that day, and we will learn whether the transplant continues to be successful and if he is still in remission.

On one hand, the last six months have passed in an unbelievably quick blur.  The doctors are quite pleased with Michael's progress and remark with surprise at each clinic visit that he has not had any side effects, setbacks, or sickness due to his compromised immunity.  I am sure that if we had dealt with complications or hospital stays, we would feel that the time had been far more trying.

On the other hand, Michael has had to learn much patience over these months of following all the rules that govern what he can eat, where he can go, and whom he can see.  He is counting down these last fourteen days until his restrictions are lifted even more.  He'll have to wait until a full year has passed before his immune system is expected to be "normal" again.  No matter how long the days are for him, we count each healthy one as a true blessing, a gift.

The butterflies are already beginning their fluttering.  Even though we know God's plan is perfect, we still struggle while waiting for the results of each biopsy.  Should this biopsy show that the cancer and/or the chromosomal anomaly have returned, a new plan will begin to attempt to get Michael back into remission and repeat the transplant.  If the results show that he is still in remission, then biopsies will be repeated at frequent intervals.  Thank you for praying with us as Michael continues his journey.