Everyday (and another Hat Award)

Last night I asked Biz how she was feeling. She said, "I feel good now, but it just comes and goes." That's everyday--for at least the first week after treatment. Nevertheless, Biz's spirits are up and you can see the "fight" in her. I ran into Kris Phillips at the grocery store yesterday and she remarked about how encouraged she was by Biz's sense of humor (they had spoken earlier in the day).
At this point Biz's blood cell count will start to decline. Though the nausea is subsiding (yeah!), any sickness for the next week or so is serious. I thank the Lord that we don't also have to fight a deflated spirit.

On a lighter note, hats continue to come in. Such variety--some make Deb jealous, some make Lydia jealous. Here's one that made Connor jealous. I'm giving it the "3:10 to Yuma" Award. You'll notice our model's resemblance to Russel Crowe! (This is a pre-head shaving photo). The award for this fine head covering goes to Don and B.J. Craddock of Cape San Juan.

Good night, prayers answered (and still needed)

Thank you for praying; Biz is feeling much better! She slept all day yesterday and most of the night, only waking up because she was hungry. She ate two bowls of chicken noodle soup and some string cheese. Deb thinks the biggest problem was that Biz was over-medicated with anti-nausea drugs (she couldn't even remember yesterday when she woke up!). During the day yesterday Deb began to "interfere" a bit with the medications (anti-nausea, not chemo), knowing how poorly Biz did when they gave her morphine after surgery. She asked the nurses if they could start with half-doses and see where that led. There was a marked improvement after that and, except for a short time this morning (just before her next dose), Biz has been feeling well. If she continues to feel well, they'll discharge her tonight.
Then we begin to pray for her blood counts and safety from infection.

Rough night, prayer needed

Last night was a rough night for Biz. The chemo makes her pretty sick and the anti-nausea medication wasn't very effective. I just talked to Deb and she said Biz is sleeping and feeling a little better, but Deb sure covets everyone's prayers for our daughter's well-being and strength.

Round Two

Biz's second round of chemotherapy begins today. Please pray for its effectiveness, for Biz's optimism and strength, and please pray against nausea or potential illnesses from her depleted blood counts. It will also help if you will pray for Deb's wisdom and spirit as she supports Biz through it, and for the rest of us as we're apart.

In pursuit of victory, players in the National Hockey League have a "good luck" tradition not to shave during the playoffs. In the same spirit of optimism, I (Tim) have adopted a new look for the remainder of Biz's chemo treatments--in pursuit of victory:

This was a challenge for me, as my scalp has never seen the light of day. The bright white skin makes my head look like a light bulb and will until it "tans-up" a bit. It was also a challenge for Sam, who tried to talk me out of it (Connor ran the clippers) and was too embarrassed to go into the grocery store with me afterward. Just when I was beginning to think I had made a mistake one of the kids on Sam's Little League team (we had a game yesterday) gave me the encouragement I needed: "Coach, you look good bald." Thanks, Julian.

Later that evening, a group of guys who all want to be a part of Biz's support team heading into this "playoff round" met at the Posenjak's house and you can see the results. This was one of the most entertaining nights I've spent in a long time:
Kirk and Peter Holt.

















Brian Lambright









Brandon, Ryan, and Adam Allen (father David was also "groomed" but I don't have a photo. I know that Dave will be disappointed).

























Bryan and Dylan Posenjak












Oh, and one more, Mom:










The final results looked like this:

Family Effort Award

The Patton family, friends of ours from St. Louis, sent this picture along with a box containing the same hats. Each hat was chosen by its respective wearer. From left to right we have Alison (8) wearing a newsboys cap--very cool! Then there's Emma (6) wearing a hand-knitted fuzzy, baby blue and pink hat--very warm, and very feminine. Megan (3) sports the hot-pink fishing hat--essential attire for an islander. And last, but certainly not least, Julie (2) with a crocheted ball cap--just look at that enthusiasm! Hat selection tells you a lot about the personality of each one.
For their remarkable showing, we are awarding to the Pattons the "Family Effort" award. Congratulations, Pattons! That will sit nicely on your resume someday.

The First Hat Award

The hats are trickling in, so it's time to give out the first hat award. Today's honors go to the Holt family of Friday Harbor, WA, for...well...the first hat. This hounds tooth beauty, with leather brim and brass buckle, is intended to be accessorized with large, "J-Lo" sunglasses and hoop earrings. That's what I've been told.

Blessing Us Behind the Scenes

Yesterday was Sam's birthday, and it was not forgotten. Even as Deb and Biz were traveling, Kris Phillips was preparing Sam's favorite meal--hot wings with extra hot sauce--and Koshi Holt was making this cake! Koshi, who tends to be a bit of a perfectionist, apologized. "Sorry, I messed up. I'm not a professional." We all tried in vain to find the mess up. I think it was the best decorated cake that's ever been served in our house, and it was delicious, too. By the way, the hat and ball were made of licorice strings.
Actually, I wanted to post this picture as an illustration of just how well we've been cared for by our friends. Koshi has enlisted a dinner brigade to feed us while Deb and Biz are away. It is truly an "extra mile" brigade...the meals show up at dinner time, hot! This time of year, with two boys on separate Little League teams, we have had some very strange dinner hours (e.g. 4:00pm; 8:30pm). But that has deterred no one.
I thank the Lord each night for those who have made the burden lighter. When you remember to pray for us, please remember to ask the Lord to bless them, too.

500!

The doctor said Deb and Biz could come home if her white blood cell count was at least 500, but didn't expect that it would be. After plenty of prayer, Biz's count hit 500--exactly. So they are now en route, and we are feverishly cleaning the house. Happy birthday, Sam!
We can't wait to see them.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom

Concerning Sam

Tuesday will be Sam's 9th birthday. That's also the day when they next check Biz's white blood cell count. If her count is above 500, she and Deb get to come home, which would be an answer not only to Biz's and Deb's prayers, but also to Sam's. Dr. Johnson is not optimistic about that prospect, but we'd sure appreciate it if you would pray with us toward that end.
Since Deb checks the blog from Seattle, I think I'll include some pictures to help her remember the rest of us. Here's Sam at 2nd base.
And here he is...well...after his sisters got done with him.

Times when you can eat what you want

Deb thinks they've found the medication that works. Biz was able to eat some ham and about a half a jar of pickles! Hearing this brought back memories of running out to Steak n' Shake at midnight (several times) because my pregnant wife had a taste for one of their chocolate shakes and some french fries. When they haven't eaten all day you just don't argue with the menu selection.

Sick and Tired

Connor, Sam, and I returned this morning from a 24 hour visit with Deb and Biz. They're staying for a few days with the Kazens, who have a beautiful spot right on Lake Washington--with a dock. Sam was lamenting that we "forgot" our swimsuits. I felt just terrible about that...what with the temperatures hovering around the upper-fifties. It's odd that the girls didn't ask me to bring theirs.
Biz is really feeling lousy and Deb is feeling "mother-watching-child-suffer" stress. The pharmacist at Children's Hospital armed them with six different anti-nausea medications and their job is--by trial and error--to find out which one works for Biz. A friend who went through this herself said that when they get it figured out, it may work for a while and then change to another. So Biz has become a walking science experiment, and when she can least stand it, but it's what must be done. The nausea must subside to the point that she can keep her food down or they'll have to insert a feeding tube and give her IV fluids. Biz, like her mother, is not fond of medications. She said these ones make her feel strange, which is apparently a condition worse than nauseous. I think I'd have a more pragmatic (Deb would say, wimpy) approach: "Just give me one of each and something in there will do the trick. Oh, and what's my name?"
If you've ever felt so nauseous that the thought of food makes you sick, you know how to pray for Biz. If you ever watched your child suffer when there was nothing you could do about it, you'll know how to pray for Deb.

Disappointment...

The first day of chemotherapy went well. When I talked to them, Biz was feeling just fine. I know the effects of chemotherapy are cumulative, but it was reassuring to know that she started out well. The process of applying the medicine takes three days--Biz gets the three medicines for about 5 hours followed by several more hours of IV fluids just to flush it out of her kidneys. They will be done with this first round by 9:00pm Sunday.
Their greatest disappointment came when they were able to take a walk after Biz's chemo. They came out to a courtyard that we had never found before. It had a gate that opened onto a small street and, they could hear the familiar sound of the obnoxious tune blaring from the truck of THE ICE CREAM MAN! Deb grabbed some money and, while Biz waited at the gate, ran to flag down the ice cream man. Never mind that the hospital will give Biz all the ice cream she wants, there is something different about a Good Humor bar straight from the truck. But it was not to be. The truck had passed and was on its way to other expectant children (and child-like adults). My prayer is that this would be their greatest disappointment in the entire regimen.
Now they have a mission. They plan to wait at the gate at about 4:30pm every afternoon in hope that they can catch the ice cream man. I'll keep you posted...

Remember Biz today

Thank you for all your prayers on behalf of our daughter. Please remember Biz today as this is her first day of actual chemotherapy. Pray that the only side-effects she experiences are those that are necessary for her healing.

Bonus Day

As my friend, Anne, said this morning when she called me (Debbie) at home, I feel like I'm cheating the system. Yesterday, when Biz was having her kidney test done, the doctor came in and said the results from the test would not be back in time to start treatment on Thursday, so they were changing the first treatment to Friday. Biz lit up and asked if we could go home for a day. I told her I'd think about it. Four or more hours to get home and then another four or more to get back, in order to spend less than 20 hours at home, 8 of which we'd spend sleeping did not sound like it was worth it. As I was thinking about this, in the providence of God, Tim called. He was just calling to tell me that since our visits home were going to be so brief we should fly instead of taking the ferry. Aha!!! I hung up and Biz and I decided we'd fly home and surprise Tim and the kids. A 45 minute trip each way instead of 4 hours. I should have had the video camera with me when Biz and I drove up to the baseball field where Tim was practicing baseball with the boys (we borrowed the church van when we got onto the island). He was completely shocked and completely thrilled. So, we are thanking God for a bonus day! Biz is spending the day at the Ranch with the horses she loves so much and her sweet friend Roxanne, and I am at home doing school with the boys, and the 4 loads of laundry that have already piled up in the 2 days since I've been gone, and loving it. Once again, thank you for your prayers, having a day at home when you didn't think you'd be back for another two and a half weeks means more to us than you can imagine. I know that days like this are totally a gift from a gracious God, who loves to surprise us with good things, and I also believe they are the direct result of His answer to your prayers for us. Thanks, Debbie