6 months in

Dear friends,

Ben and I were just talking about writing an update about our uneventful last few weeks at home. Unfortunately, yesterday Ben had to rush Liam to the emergency room at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Every Monday, a nurse comes to our home to draw blood labs and check Liam’s vitals. His heart rate was very elevated, and after consulting with the oncologist, we were told to go to the ER immediately. 

After hours of waiting at the ER (which this time of year looks like a scene from an apocalyptic movie), we were finally admitted to the hospital. They kept Liam overnight, but sent him home today since he was stable. They have a few theories about what is causing his elevated heart rate, and will keep an eye on him when we come in to the clinic.

The weeks leading up to today, however, have been lovely. We got into a good rhythm with all of the medications and doctor appointments. We’ve been enjoying our time at home, homeschooling, Christmas crafting, and just being together. Liam has been improving and getting stronger every day. 

We are starting to get nervous about Liam’s treatment in January. As we wrote in our last update, Liam will get a certain chemotherapy that kills all of his blood cells and keeps them low for several weeks. Every time he has been neutropenic (without an immune system), he has gotten a terrible life-threatening infection. He’s had E. Coli, a fungal infection on his liver and spleen, MRSA, and typhlitis. He’s still recovering from several of these infections and their long-term effects. 

Please pray that the Lord gives us peace and trust in Him as we wait. Pray that we didn’t pick up any illness at the ER yesterday. Pray that Liam will remain home as long as possible and that his treatment next month will go well.

Thank you so much for your love and prayers.