Loss and Freedom

Biz and I had to return to Children's Hospital yesterday for an infusion of two units of red blood cells. She and Deb were allowed to return home on Tuesday, a little earlier than expected, with the caveat that Biz have daily blood tests at the island clinic. Their concern was that her counts were borderline, and they wanted to see improvement, which unfortunately never came. So on Friday we made the trip (Deb stayed home) back to Seattle for needed care. Today, Biz is at the ranch and doing fine. Praise the Lord for his goodness.
One thing that made the trip especially disappointing was that her cousins (Deb's sister and her family) had just arrived Thursday night and she didn't want to miss time with them. One thing about illness and treatment is that it's full of sacrifice and loss--like it or not. So today the three girls all went to the ranch together, which I'm sure will be a highlight for all of them.
Lydia arrived safely at "The Lord's Boot Camp" in Florida to prepare for her missions trip to Malawi. When Deb and Biz are gone that makes the house noticeably empty--three guys, that's all. Since Deb and Biz will begin the final round on July 2nd, the boys and I made our Fourth of July plans. We're going to camp on the boat in Fisherman's Bay to watch the Lopez fireworks. And we're going to celebrate the fact that we live in the greatest country on earth, where the research and treatment that Biz needed flourish because of the power of freedom in industry and optimism in human endeavor that pervades our society.

Three girls, three burdens

Biz handled this round of chemo just about as well as possible. She was really nauseous at discharge time, so the nurse told her that if she got sick she'd have to stay. By sheer determination Biz held it in until they were discharged and reached the parking lot. Good thing she told Deb to bring a bucket. Beyond that, she has been eating well and feeling well.
Biz has been able to take riding lessons at a nearby ranch about twice a week, too. We all (Tim, Deb, Lydia, Connor, and Sam) were able to watch one of her lessons the other day because we're all in Seattle to see Lydia off. At 10:30 this morning Lydia will board an AirTran flight to Florida and Teen Missions, Int., with whom she will spend a good part of the summer in Africa. We're really proud of Lydia because she has the desire to serve Christ in this way and because she had to make most of her preparations without the help of mom. Once in Malawi, she will be with a team of kids who will share the gospel in local villages using music, drama, and puppets. They will also be showing the Jesus film in the evenings and working at one of Teen Missions' AIDS Orphanages. It sounds like a tall order. Please pray for the success of Lydia's travels and ministry. Please pray for all of my girls. They all have big items on their plates.

Yeah!!!

The biopsy found no evidence of cancer!
Neither did the PET scan.

Biz said, "Great, let's go home now."
The doctor said, "Sorry, this cycle and one more."
I say, "Four cycles are better than six."

Jesus, thank you for taking away Biz's cancer. Please keep her healthy and help her to weather the next couple of chemo cycles with as little discomfort as possible. We love you. Amen.

Round 3

Tuesday, Deb and Biz flew out of Friday Harbor at 7:30am for a 9:00am kidney test (5 hours long). On Wednesday, Biz will have another hearing test and a PET scan. All of this is being done to assess the effects, both positive and negative, of her chemotherapy so far. Assuming they find nothing unexpected, Biz will begin her 3rd round of chemotherapy on Thursday. It's hard to imagine how poorly it can make her feel, especially if you've seen her upbeat and happy spirit over the past few days at home. Please pray that she will feel well and that the chemotherapy will be effective.
We still have not heard back about the biopsy they took on the 5th. While we trust the Lord with whatever we hear, we expect good news.

Deb and Biz will fly home tonight, after Biz's biopsy, for a few days' "visit." Please keep the biopsy in your prayers today. Tomorrow pray that their stay at home would be encouraging and refreshing. Some ladies from our church hired a lady to clean our house to facilitate this...I've decided not to take this as an offense...She came this morning, and the place looks great for my girls' return.
One thing Deb and Biz plan on doing before the biopsy is hunting down Sean, Sara, and Eva Parsons. Her bacterial infection has taken them down to Children's Hospital as well. Please keep them in your prayers.
Another Calvin & Hobbes:

The Process

Right now we are praying and waiting for Biz's ANC count to reach 500. It's a bit technical (for me) but suffice it to say that's the blood count number that allows her to come home. Physically she feels fine (all praise to Jesus). That makes the waiting a bit surreal--I feel well so why can't I go home? Whenever she and Deb do get here it will only be for a short visit since Biz has kidney and audiology tests on the 10th and they can't leave until after the 5th. That's the day on which Biz has her second biopsy.
The results of the biopsy are CRUCIAL. Not only do they determine the number of treatments ahead (if it's clean, she'll have two more treatment cycles; if not, she'll have four), they will also be an indicator of the effectiveness of treatment thus far. For obvious reasons, we ask you to pray for a clean biopsy.
We can do nothing but trust the Lord in this.
As you pray for us, please also pray for Sean and Sara Parsons (members of Islands Community Church) and their little girl Ava. She's about 6 months old and has a "mystery illness" (that is, a mystery to everyone but Lord). It has been very serious and dangerous, so far. The island is a beautiful place to live, but its limitations are most evident at times like this. Please pray for their spirits as they weather this trial and for an accurate diagnosis and speedy recovery. Lord, please give Sean and Sara wisdom and direction as they seek care for their daughter and please protect Ava through this process.
Biz and I share an affinity for Calvin & Hobbes. (Click on it to enlarge).