David's hemoglobin was up a little today from his last count. That is encouraging. The nurse said that he may have hit his low for this round of chemo. It has been explained to us that the side effects are like a see-saw. Up and down. Usually, they try to time it so that the next round of chemo comes when his body is the healthiest that it can be. We are hoping that he will start to feel somewhat better and start to sleep again at night. I am quite tired as I haven't been sleeping well since this whole ordeal started about a month ago.
We are all fighting off colds...including David. It seems to be going around. Even though we are handwashing fiends and we aren't going anywhere to be around people, we have still picked it up. Hopefully it will stay mild and be shortlived.
I am doing my best to keep up with all the housework. So far, I haven't done too bad. It is helpful that Hannah is in school now since that is one less person in the house to make messes during the day. She is really enjoying it, too!
I will leave you today with a quote from a book that I have been reading.
"In the person of his Son, [God] is always in our midst, as the one who holds each and every aspect of creation, including all of its evil aspects, in his hands so that he may carry it to where it accomplishes exactly what he wants."
-from Suffering and the Sovereignty of God by John Piper and Justin Taylor
Thanks for reading.
-Kim
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
August 28, 2007
David has not been sleeping well. He must be uncomfortable, but since he can't say anything, it is hard to determine exactly what ails him. He was a little happier yesterday during the day, so that was nice.
According to yesterday's blood counts, his hemoglobin is quite low. Everything else seems to be fine, but if his hemoglobin continues to drop, they may have to give him a transfusion. We are hoping and praying that this won't be the case.
Hannah started school today. I always thought that this would be a difficult day for me, but it wasn't. With all the care that David is requiring lately, it has been hard for me to keep her occupied. I know that she is going to have so much fun at school that it was easy for me to let her go.
I gave you all the wrong email address for my friend Emily who will be coordinating things for me. The correct one is embeasley@gmail.com I went back and changed it on the last entry, but just in case you all need it.
Some people have been wondering how our pediatrician was able to catch David's retinoblastoma. Here is a picture that shows you kind of what she saw during her exam. We are also able to see this at times when David looks at the light in just the right way. This is not a picture of David, but the white reflex is what we are able to see.
-Kim
According to yesterday's blood counts, his hemoglobin is quite low. Everything else seems to be fine, but if his hemoglobin continues to drop, they may have to give him a transfusion. We are hoping and praying that this won't be the case.
Hannah started school today. I always thought that this would be a difficult day for me, but it wasn't. With all the care that David is requiring lately, it has been hard for me to keep her occupied. I know that she is going to have so much fun at school that it was easy for me to let her go.
I gave you all the wrong email address for my friend Emily who will be coordinating things for me. The correct one is embeasley@gmail.com I went back and changed it on the last entry, but just in case you all need it.
Some people have been wondering how our pediatrician was able to catch David's retinoblastoma. Here is a picture that shows you kind of what she saw during her exam. We are also able to see this at times when David looks at the light in just the right way. This is not a picture of David, but the white reflex is what we are able to see.
-Kim
Sunday, August 26, 2007
August 26, 2007
Many people have been asking us what they can do for us. We have been amazed at how willing people are to carry this burden with us.
First of all we need prayer. Here are some specific things that you can pray:
1. Pray for strength. Rob and I both need physical and mental strength in order to keep on functioning. This has added a whole lot more to each of our daily routines, and without supernatural sustainance, we won't make it through. Pray for strong immune systems for the whole family as we enter into cold and flu season. Pray for our family as a whole to become a stronger unit.
2. Pray for healing. Our desire is that the tumor would disappear, than no new tumors would grow, and that David would regain some of his lost sight in that eye.
3. Pray that we won't waste this circumstance. It is so easy in times of pain and suffering to become angry, bitter, and self absorbed. Please pray that David's cancer will only force us to cling more tightly to the Savior. Pray that through this, we would learn more about our wonderful God than ever before in our lives. Pray that this circumstance would soften the hearts of Hannah and Isaac to be able to trust God themselves one day. Pray that the retelling of this will cause David to walk with the Lord. Pray that as a result of this, our whole family will develop an uncommon faith and trust in the Lord. Pray that as we deal with all the details that we will continue to look out to other hurting people and touch them with the love of Christ. I guess this request is the most important.
So, prayer is the one thing that we would ask of all of you.
Some of you have asked us how you can help in other ways. Here is a list of things that we would find most helpful.
1. Gas cards - travelling back and forth to Durham takes a lot of gas. We usually buy gas at Walmart, Sheetz, or Gate Petroleum.
2. Prepaid Visa Cards - when we are at the hospital, we often have to buy meals, pick up prescriptions, and do other things related to David's care. These cards allow us to be able to do all of these things right there at the hospital so that we don't have to drive all around town and add to an already full and hectic day.
3. Restaurant Gift Cards - the long days at the hospital make evening meals rather difficult. When we don't have to worry about dinner, the day is much less stressful. We are not picky about restaurants, but some suggestions near our house are: Wendy's, IHOP, Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread, Papa John's, and Arby's.
4. Meals, Babysitting, etc. - some people have asked if they can help by cooking a meal, babysitting, running errands, and other things like this. Our good friend, Emily Beasley, is going to be coordinating all of these things for me. You can contact her at: 336-207-3916 or embeasley@gmail.com
5. Moral Support - we love getting your letter, emails, and words of encouragement. It is a great testimony to our kids, and I have saved every letter and email. Just knowing that we crossed your mind, that you prayed for us, and that we don't stand alone does more for us than you will ever know. Feel free to write to us. I can't promise a response, but know that we read each and every letter (sometimes more than once)! If you don't have our address, email me, and I will send it to you. rokihais@yahoo.com
Thank you all again. David is awake, so I must go. I will update you on his progress more later.
-Kim
First of all we need prayer. Here are some specific things that you can pray:
1. Pray for strength. Rob and I both need physical and mental strength in order to keep on functioning. This has added a whole lot more to each of our daily routines, and without supernatural sustainance, we won't make it through. Pray for strong immune systems for the whole family as we enter into cold and flu season. Pray for our family as a whole to become a stronger unit.
2. Pray for healing. Our desire is that the tumor would disappear, than no new tumors would grow, and that David would regain some of his lost sight in that eye.
3. Pray that we won't waste this circumstance. It is so easy in times of pain and suffering to become angry, bitter, and self absorbed. Please pray that David's cancer will only force us to cling more tightly to the Savior. Pray that through this, we would learn more about our wonderful God than ever before in our lives. Pray that this circumstance would soften the hearts of Hannah and Isaac to be able to trust God themselves one day. Pray that the retelling of this will cause David to walk with the Lord. Pray that as a result of this, our whole family will develop an uncommon faith and trust in the Lord. Pray that as we deal with all the details that we will continue to look out to other hurting people and touch them with the love of Christ. I guess this request is the most important.
So, prayer is the one thing that we would ask of all of you.
Some of you have asked us how you can help in other ways. Here is a list of things that we would find most helpful.
1. Gas cards - travelling back and forth to Durham takes a lot of gas. We usually buy gas at Walmart, Sheetz, or Gate Petroleum.
2. Prepaid Visa Cards - when we are at the hospital, we often have to buy meals, pick up prescriptions, and do other things related to David's care. These cards allow us to be able to do all of these things right there at the hospital so that we don't have to drive all around town and add to an already full and hectic day.
3. Restaurant Gift Cards - the long days at the hospital make evening meals rather difficult. When we don't have to worry about dinner, the day is much less stressful. We are not picky about restaurants, but some suggestions near our house are: Wendy's, IHOP, Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread, Papa John's, and Arby's.
4. Meals, Babysitting, etc. - some people have asked if they can help by cooking a meal, babysitting, running errands, and other things like this. Our good friend, Emily Beasley, is going to be coordinating all of these things for me. You can contact her at: 336-207-3916 or embeasley@gmail.com
5. Moral Support - we love getting your letter, emails, and words of encouragement. It is a great testimony to our kids, and I have saved every letter and email. Just knowing that we crossed your mind, that you prayed for us, and that we don't stand alone does more for us than you will ever know. Feel free to write to us. I can't promise a response, but know that we read each and every letter (sometimes more than once)! If you don't have our address, email me, and I will send it to you. rokihais@yahoo.com
Thank you all again. David is awake, so I must go. I will update you on his progress more later.
-Kim
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
August 21, 2007
David received his first round of chemo yesterday. It was about a 7 hour process. A long day.
The little guy did great. He was happy and active the whole time. Rob and I learned several important things about how to care for him once we got him home - including how to give him a daily shot.
I alway find the days at the hospital the hardest to handle. It is so heavy being there around all of those very very sick kids. By the time I get home, I am super tired. I am finding it almost essential to have Rob there with me on those days since he is my best moral support. We are hoping that he will be able to be there each time.
During the night and this morning, David has been somewhat fussier than normal. He has a hard time staying asleep. I think this has something to do with being a little more gassy than normal - likely a side effect of the chemo. He is currently trying to sleep on my shoulder. I would love to be able to take a small nap today since last night was a little rough.
-Kim
David and his Daffy Duck bandaid.
The little guy did great. He was happy and active the whole time. Rob and I learned several important things about how to care for him once we got him home - including how to give him a daily shot.
I alway find the days at the hospital the hardest to handle. It is so heavy being there around all of those very very sick kids. By the time I get home, I am super tired. I am finding it almost essential to have Rob there with me on those days since he is my best moral support. We are hoping that he will be able to be there each time.
During the night and this morning, David has been somewhat fussier than normal. He has a hard time staying asleep. I think this has something to do with being a little more gassy than normal - likely a side effect of the chemo. He is currently trying to sleep on my shoulder. I would love to be able to take a small nap today since last night was a little rough.
-Kim
David and his Daffy Duck bandaid.
Friday, August 17, 2007
August 17, 2007
David got his IV port put in yesterday. He did very very well. Now, we just have to make sure that it doesn't get infected before the incisions heal.
He is supposed to have his first chemo treatment on Monday, but he has a little cold, so we aren't sure if this will postpone that. I am anxious to get started, but I don't want to push it before his body is ready.
-Kim
He is supposed to have his first chemo treatment on Monday, but he has a little cold, so we aren't sure if this will postpone that. I am anxious to get started, but I don't want to push it before his body is ready.
-Kim
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
August 15, 2007
I took David for his hearing test today. I guess they have to monitor his hearing since the chemo can sometimes damage it.
Tomorrow we will be over at DUMC for most of the day while they insert the IV port. It will be another long day, but they have told us that we will be meeting with lots of people while David is in surgery, so that will take up our down time. They also told us that we shouldn't have to stay overnight, which would be really nice.
Monday, the chemo will start. They have told us that is will take 1-1.5 hours to administer, and then we should be able to head right on home.
I must say that I am very nervous as it gets closer to the time to start this treatment. I am so thankful that Rob and I are on the same page, though. We have needed that unity so much during this time. We know that God is in control, even though the future is frightening at this point.
-Kim
Tomorrow we will be over at DUMC for most of the day while they insert the IV port. It will be another long day, but they have told us that we will be meeting with lots of people while David is in surgery, so that will take up our down time. They also told us that we shouldn't have to stay overnight, which would be really nice.
Monday, the chemo will start. They have told us that is will take 1-1.5 hours to administer, and then we should be able to head right on home.
I must say that I am very nervous as it gets closer to the time to start this treatment. I am so thankful that Rob and I are on the same page, though. We have needed that unity so much during this time. We know that God is in control, even though the future is frightening at this point.
-Kim
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
August 14, 2007
Tomorrow I will be taking David to Duke University Medical Center (DUMC) for some pre-chemo testing.
Thursday, we will go in early in the morning for them to implant the IV port for him to more easily be given chemo and have blood drawn. This is usually an outpatient surgery. I don't know if they will keep us overnight for that or not, but I am gearing up for a stay. Rob might come home to be with Hannah and Isaac if they keep David overnight.
I think that treatment, no matter what, will involve several trips a month to DUMC for treatment and testing and etc.
We are hoping to speak to the financial person soon to come up with a plan for payment of all the treatment, tests, hospital stays, doctors fees, and other items that will need to be paid for.
Thanks again to everyone for keeping up with us and praying for us.
-Kim
Thursday, we will go in early in the morning for them to implant the IV port for him to more easily be given chemo and have blood drawn. This is usually an outpatient surgery. I don't know if they will keep us overnight for that or not, but I am gearing up for a stay. Rob might come home to be with Hannah and Isaac if they keep David overnight.
I think that treatment, no matter what, will involve several trips a month to DUMC for treatment and testing and etc.
We are hoping to speak to the financial person soon to come up with a plan for payment of all the treatment, tests, hospital stays, doctors fees, and other items that will need to be paid for.
Thanks again to everyone for keeping up with us and praying for us.
-Kim
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