We’re home!

Jeremy’s counts didn’t quite make it to the official number for being discharged, but he was close and trending upward enough so that the doctors felt comfortable letting us go home yesterday.

Not surprisingly, Jeremy was super excited to go home.  When the doctors told us we could go, he had a huge grin on his face.  After they left, that’s all he could talk about.  When we were ready to pack, we gave him the iPad for a little bit, but he was more interested in going home.

When we got home, the first thing he did was run around the house.  We had some toys lined up for him when we got home, just a few items to keep him entertained.  Legos, puzzles, a new train set – none of it compared to running.  It was great to see that big grin on his face.

For the 7 days that we’re home, we will have two clinical visits and an outpatient procedure – the bone marrow aspirate.  Jeremy’s bone marrow aspirate is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday 9/18, somewhere between 12-1pm.

Today, we had clinic visit #1 of 2.  Before going we usually mentally prepare Jeremy by telling him what will be happening.  We told him, “Jeremy, we’re going to go to the doctor’s today.  We’ll get your caps changed and your dressing changed.”  Jeremy replied, “Yeah, it’s ok.  Mommy, Daddy be there.  It’s ok to cry.”  The dressing and cap changed went without incident.

I have to cut this update short, there is much to do at home.  Thank you all for your faithful prayers and for continuing to spread the word about Jeremy’s need for a bone marrow donor.  We feel incredibly blessed by your love and support.  Thank you all so much.

Praise God:

  • for Him, our refuge and strength
  • that we get to be home for a little bit
  • that Jeremy is fever free and eating
  • that Jeremy had no problems with his legs and he was running as soon as his feet hit the floor
  • that Jeremy ate and maintained his weight throughout this last block of treatment
  • that God sustained Jeremy through this last block of treatment

Please continue to pray (new/updated 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 we would fix our eyes on Him
  • that we would continue to be reminded of God’s greatness and provision, that we would wait on Him, and that we would not allow fear to creep in
  • that we would rejoice in the moments that God gives us
  • that God would provide full and complete healing and total health for Jeremy
  • that Jeremy’s bone marrow aspirate on Tuesday, 9/18 would show < 5% blasts (leukemia cells) in his bone marrow and negative MRD (minimum residual disease) and that the procedure would go smoothly
  • that God would provide with the whole process of finding a bone marrow match, the risks of transplant, and the anxiety of it achieving long-term remission for Jeremy
  • that word would continue to get out about the need for a perfect bone marrow match and that one would be found for Jeremy
  • that Jeremy’s little brother would be a match and that there would be a sufficient volume of cells in the cord blood to qualify for a good transplant
  • that everyone who needs to be involved in the cord blood collection would be diligent and the collection and processing would go smoothly
  • that Jeremy would not experience any more stomach pains
  • that Jeremy would not encounter any life threatening side effects
  • that Jeremy would not have any brain, liver, lung, kidney, pancreatic, heart, or any other type of organ damage as a result of the chemo
  • that God would protect Jeremy’s heart from the lasting effects of the new medication (mitoxantrone)
  • that God would protect Jeremy from any bacterial, yeast, or fungal infections while he is home
  • that Jeremy would not be irritated or itchy from the dressing change today
  • that there wouldn’t be any more line infections and that we wouldn’t need to replace it at any point during Jeremy’s treatments
  • that God would protect Jeremy’s kidneys and liver from the medications he received from this last block of treatment
  • that God would relieve Jeremy of the traumatic stress of the skin biopsy procedure
  • that God would continue protect Jeremy’s central line and there would be no additional infections as a result of it
  • that Jeremy would sleep better at night
  • that Alice and I would not get sick in order to care for Jeremy
  • that God would protect Alice and baby brother from all the emotional stress
  • that baby brother would be full term before deciding that he wants out
  • for our neighbors who are also enduring trials of their own
  • for our parents – that they would have rest and place their trust in Jesus
  • that God would give us wisdom in teaching Jeremy in the hospital environment
  • that we would be witnesses of God’s love and grace to our neighbors and the medical staff