The bone marrow aspirate and spinal tap yesterday went smoothly.  Jeremy recovered from the anesthesia and was pretty much himself within a few hours of finishing the procedure.

Going to bed last night was a bit challenging for everyone.  Because he got a dose of chemo yesterday, we had to go back to the “gloves and mask” rule when handling his potty or diaper changes.  This also meant that Alice and Jeremy couldn’t sleep together last night to reduce the risk of chemo medication exposure to Alice and baby brother.  It was difficult for everyone – no one was where they wanted to be.  It’ll be like this throughout the rest of the weekend until Sunday evening (72 hours after chemo).  We’ll all get one more night together in the same bed before Jeremy starts his second round.  We pretty much threw sleep training out the window with zero hesitation when we were told of his diagnosis.

Before the aspirate yesterday, we were very worried and anxious, knowing that the results would determine Jeremy’s risk category.  We prayed to give God our worries and concerns, knowing He is in control of this situation and we were reminded of how He has carried Jeremy through the entire first block of treatment.  The following, in no particular order, are reminders of, and praises for, God’s provision:

  • He gave us more confidence in our situation by opening the door to transfer to a  cancer center
  • Jeremy’s fevers, although scary at the time, were never a result of anything more serious – bacterial, fungal, or yeast infections
  • the leukemia cells do not have any genetic mutations that would put Jeremy in the high-risk category (no FLT3)
  • Jeremy’s side effects from the first round were minimal and he continued eating throughout
  • Jeremy’s bone marrow and counts recovered faster than expected and we were able to go home a few days early
  • Jeremy’s counts continue to trend upward
  • there have been no signs of infection from the central line site and it is continuing to heal
  • the multiple bone marrow biopsy/aspirate and spinal tap procedures have gone smoothly with no adverse reactions to anesthesia and Jeremy generally recovered well from them
  • we have been able to maintain his central line at home with some growing confidence
  • Jeremy continues to have a good energy level and can run and play to his heart’s content
  • we see our family and friends growing closer to God
  • baby brother is doing well and is unhindered in growth and movement
  • Ant’s work has been very flexible and understanding
  • our families were providing lunch and dinner everyday in the hospital
  • Jeremy is surrounded in prayer by the fellowship of Christ

Please continue to pray (new items in bold):

  • that God would continue to use this situation for His glory
  • that we would be obedient to God’s plans for this situation
  • that we would continue to cast our worries and fears on the Lord
  • that God would provide full and complete healing and total health for Jeremy
  • that the regenerating bone marrow would produce only good white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets
  • that the bone marrow aspirate on August 9th would show no leukemia cells (that Jeremy would be in remission)
  • that the bone marrow aspirate on August 9th would be performed without incident and there would be allergic reaction to any of the sedatives used
  • that we would be diligent in Jeremy’s line care
  • that we would not see any more fevers for the duration of Jeremy’s recovery, especially since we are at home and would like to avoid going back to the hospital
  • that the additional antibiotics for the fevers would not cause any kidney damage
  • that the rash under the dressing on his central line site would heal quickly and we would not need to give him any more Benadryl
  • that the irritation from the previous dressing would continue to subside
  • that the current dressing would not cause any allergic reaction
  • that God would continue to give Jeremy an extra portion of His strength, so Jeremy would continue being his playful, energetic self.
  • for safety and protection for Jeremy, since we are now at home without immediate access to medical assistance
  • for wisdom for us in being careful about where we can take him to prevent any of us from getting sick
  • that we would continue to be in good health so we can care for Jeremy during the subsequent blocks of treatment
  • that God would give Jeremy an extra portion of His strength and sustain Jeremy through the next block of treatment