June 4, 2024

Unfortunately, Liam wasn’t feeling very well today. He spent most of the day in bed and didn’t eat much. He is on a high dose of prednisone, and one of the most common side effects includes extreme mood swings. He’s just really out of it and uncomfortable. We can also tell that Liam is scared. He's in an unfamiliar place, wearing a hospital gown, and everyone knows his most private problems and functions. All of this has contributed to his reluctance about many things, including eating and getting out of bed. A healthy diet is going to become increasingly important as chemo continues. Getting up and moving around is also going to be important to avoid blood clots. Additionally, we also have Lily and Jack, who need us in their own ways (but have been, praise God, doing exceptionally well given the circumstances). Currently, anything other than tending to Liam can feel overwhelming. We hope this gets better as we settle into a more consistent rhythm.

On a personal note, I (Ben) think I am learning, maybe for the first time, to obey Jesus when he says, "Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matt. 6:34). Taking it one hour, one day at a time is all we can do. Given our circumstances, I want to say I literally don't know what tomorrow holds, but then I remember that this isn't unique to us right now. We actually never know what tomorrow holds. Just as we didn't know about Liam's diagnosis the day before the news dropped, we have no idea what will happen in the future. And yet, God did meet us in "tomorrow" when the news dropped. He sustained us when the unknown became known. If I am honest, it's scary for me to give up my worries about tomorrow. And yet, I am also finding that Jesus' command provides me with a deep sense of relief about the future. What else can we do but trust He will sustain us tomorrow as all the unknowns become known to us? 

Praise God for all of you—our dear friends, our church (The Chapel Church), our parents (grandparents), and all those we don't know. We could not be doing this without you. We are repeatedly brought to tears by the various ways you are supporting us (meals, finances, texts, prayers, etc.).

Finally, praise God, Liam has only felt the slightest bit of nausea. No vomiting. Thank you for praying to this end.

How to Pray

• Please pray for us for wisdom to navigate when to let Liam rest, and when to push him to get out of bed.

• Pray for that Liam would be comfortable here

• Pray that Liam would find joy in various toys and actives in the hospital 

• Continue to pray for no nausea

• Pray for us for patience as "roid rage" ensues

• Pray for Lily and Jack – that Lily especially would be OK entering lots of new and uncomfortable situations (for her) in being watched by others

• Pray for Mark and Rene (Emily's parents) – they have been the primary care takers for Lily and Jack but they're also in the middle of moving