June 6, 2024

Liam's energy was up today. So far, the chemo is doing what it's supposed to do. From our understanding, the doctors typically use how many white blood cells (WBC) are present to measure how well treatment is going. When Liam came in to the ER one week ago his WBC count was over 77,000 (typical is 5,000). Today, WBC is at 1,500. His spinal fluid (which was taken last week) also came back negative for leukemia (which is great news). It's only day four on chemo, so there is still a long road ahead and things might change. For now the treatment is working as the doctors hoped it would and we're rejoicing in that.

We are also starting to absorb a bit more information regarding Liam’s diagnosis, treatment, and future. He will be in the hospital a total of at least 22 days before we go home, if not more. His chemo treatment will have different phases with the introduction of various medications on certain days. All of these medications have various side effects. He will be needing blood transfusions, lumbar punctures, bone marrow biopsies, among other things. In July, they will surgically implant a port into his chest, through which he will continue to receive chemotherapy through outpatient care. When we get home, we will have to take him in for chemo every few days. He will be immunosuppressed, meaning he will not have a functioning immune system for a while. We will have to wipe down any high contact surfaces in our home on a daily basis to minimize his exposure to viruses and bacteria. We will have to really focus on dental hygiene as he won’t be allowed to go to the dentist because of risk of infection. He won’t be allowed to jump on the trampoline or do anything that could result in a head injury. Our nurse navigator said that no matter how careful we are, he will most likely end up in the hospital with an emergency sickness or injury at least once while still under treatment. We are also physically depleted. Please pray for good sleep and stamina to get through each day. Ben also seems to be getting sick which complicates his ability to be at the hospital. Pray this passes. 

All of this feels heavy. It will be hard. But we trust our good God. We are in a situation which I (Emily) always thought would have been unbearable, and yet the Lord has been near, bearing it for us. He is sustaining us as we lean into Him.