Believe

So it’s “post-op day 2”. It’s been a quiet day here at TCH. Looking from our window, the med center is empty. We were here on Thanksgiving and I vividly remember looking down on Fannin and thinking how lonely it felt. Today, it’s not such a lonely feeling, more of a peaceful, thankful feeling that we made this milestone. Surgery was a big step, one we’ve been waiting for since the beginning. When they tell you that there is a mass the size of a grapefruit in your baby, you want it gone. It’s GONE! We still have so much left. The liver biopsy will tell us if the spots in the liver have turned to dead cells from the chemotherapy and the status of any live cells. There is still cancer in his bones, but the chemo is slowly working and we will know more of that in a few weeks with his MIBG scan. Now, the bone marrow is our next big chase. Today Jake has been running a fever but it’s not unusual, and he’s struggled with his oxygen levels which keep setting off the machines. Of all the things attached to him, the finger monitor bugs him most. They pulled his GI tube last night and his catheter earlier, so those big tubes are gone – progress. He still has an IV in his foot, an IV in his arm and his chest port… more lines than he wants. They also have him in a diaper, this really upsets him and wants his big boy pants. We’ve moved him side to side throughout the day and it’s been heart wrenching to hear him cry out in such pain. I remember my first c-sect and how painful the first movements were. We’ve been warned that tomorrow we’ll have to sit him up on the side of the bed or a chair. They’ve mentioned walking but haven’t pushed that too much. He’s pretty enamored by his incision… boys and their scars! I have a picture so if you are a queasy soul… here’s your warning. I have to share a little something else… I felt really antsy earlier, just needed a break, and decided to power walk the bridges. As I was coming thru one of them, I ran into a friend from church. Her baby is here too, in the PICU. I didn’t even know they were here but God knew I needed a friendly face, her too I believe, and it was really nice to talk. Please pray for baby Sarah, while you pray

for Jake. I’d like to ask for prayer for all of TCH’s parents – for strength and courage to get through these days. A post from a friend’s FB today said “It was never promised in the Bible that God will only give you what you can handle”… she continued, that “actually, we must trust that God will never give us more than HE can handle”. Over the past few months the first part of that message has made me cringe. But today, the second part of that message

reminded me that Jake’s story has already been written in His book, we just have to follow God’s lead and find purpose in the journey. We must TRUST that He can and will handle it all. For the Bible does say, “Cast all your anxiety on God because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 So tonight, with one more milestone behind us, I reflect on all the little details that have come together these past few months and how much God truly is handling all of this. So from the top of TCH, we wish everyone a Happy Easter. He is risen, we believe… there is new LIFE!