A More Clear Understanding of the Process

Good Afternoon Dear Ones,

One of the specialists on Ethan's team of oncologists came in to chat this morning (this is a different doctor from yesterday), and explained the "next steps" for our Ethan. He let us know that Ethan's spleen has continued to decrease in size and his blood levels remain in good shape. This makes day two that Ethan has not needed any type of blood transfusion.... which is great. And since this was a different doctor than yesterday, I decided to ask him what the "plan" would be if Ethan happened to receive a miracle and be cured of this disease. He said that even if Ethan's blood showed signs of remission and recovery, they would still move towards the bone marrow transplant. He said the transplant will not really ever be "off the table".

This type of disease requires completion of the full treatment plan, and there's really nothing that would stop them from continuing to move forward - even if he showed great (or full) improvement. In fact, full improvement (no new cancer cells in his body) is really what they want to happen right before a bone marrow transplant anyway. I told him that we were praying and believing for a miracle and he kind of smiled at me and said that I should do whatever I need to do to stay "positive" (I'm sure he thought I was naive for believing he'd be healed outside of regular treatment).

So then I asked, if he DID get miraculously healed, then what would happen? He said we would still continue the maintenance type of chemotherapy (medicine by mouth once a day for 10 days, then take a 10 day break, then start again...that process starts this evening) and do the bone marrow transplant as soon as a donor is lined up and ready. He said that long term survival (after treatment) with this type of rare disease is really a miracle in itself.

So...

Do I still believe Ethan will be healed? Yes!
Do I still believe his healing will be a miracle of the Lord? Yes!

Since this disease is so rare, every step of the process of treatment is so risky, and you're never guaranteed a positive result.... then the very fact that Ethan could go on to live a normal, healthy life IS INDEED a miracle. And that's what I know will happen for him. That's the peace I have.

I don't want to limit how God wants to heal, and it looks like the bone marrow transplant is inevitable (which means we will have to endure the ups and downs of this process for many months to come), so just continue to pray that they find a donor match very quickly and that the Lord's healing would continue to happen in Ethan's body every step of the way.

However God wants to conduct his miracle in Ethan, I am fine with it and I'm excited that I know it's coming!

It is coming. And when that day comes, you all will be the first to know. But, it could be several months down a long, hard road... so keep the faith. Keep praying. And keep feeling our love for all of you!

Ephesians 3:20 - Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.