Friends and Family,
Today is Ethan's last day of his first round of chemotherapy. He has responded well to the treatment so far... meaning his white blood cells have gone down in number... which is great! He will now take a break from chemo for a few days to allow his body to recover from the intense medicine and then they will start up another round of chemotherapy later this week or next week. These rounds of chemo will continue for the next several weeks/months in order to get his little body ready for a bone marrow transplant. His red blood cells are low today, so they are going to give him another transfusion of red cells and plasma.
They've started the bone marrow process now. It will be several weeks before we really know anything, but for those of you who have said you'd like to be tested as a match, rest assured that if they cannot find a match in the National Donor Bank for our sweet baby, I will 'sound the horn' for all of you out there to be tested!
The doctor explained to me this morning a little bit more of what's going on with Ethan's body. Basically, we all have red and white blood cells. White blood cells help fight off infection in our bodies. They can grow and multiply whenever necessary TO fight infections. The problem with Ethan's situation is that it is his white blood cells that have the cancer. So his system is fighting against itself. The breakdown of the explanation is like this...
1. His type of cancer is in his white blood cells.
2. His body recognizes there is an infection, so (just like white cells are meant to do) they start multiplying, growing and spreading throughout his body to "fight" the infection.
3. The unfortunate irony is that his white cells are what is infected and therefore spreading the cancer throughout his blood, not fixing it.
We still have a very long, tough road ahead of us, but we know God is still holding Ethan daily and He's not finished with this little boy just yet. Our continued thanks for all your comments, emails, cards and MOST IMPORTANTLY your prayers. You will never know the amount of encouragement you have given us.... daily. God is using you to remind us of His love for us. I am so thankful for the Lord's strength and peace right now.... without Him, we'd not be able to get through this.
Continue to pray for the requests I mentioned in my below post. And thank you soooo much for caring and loving us and for spreading the word for others to pray.
Much love and gratitude.
19 comments:
I read about you on another blog. Just wanted to let you know that I am praying for your little boy from Charlotte, NC. I have some experience of the suffering of a mommy whose heart is breaking. I'm sure you have received many recommendations to read, so just tuck these away with the others, but two books have personally ministered to me: Suffering and the Sovereignty of God by John Piper and Justin Taylor (particularly the chapter by Powlison) and a little pamphlet called "Behind a frowning Providence." Sorry, i'm not sure who write this, but its a quick easy read with some foundational truths that sometimes a breaking heart needs to be reminded of. Much grace to you and your husband and precious ethan through this deep valley.
Kasey,Adam and Ethan
My name is Cathy Lang(Lanzer). I know Adam from my high school days at Emmanuel! I just wanted to let you know that we are praying for you and your precious baby! Our church here in Birmingham, AL. is praying for your family as well! I really appreciate this blog and the constent updates you are leaving so that we can be specific in our prayers for your darling Ethan! Let us know if there is anything more we can do!
Sincerely,
Cathy Lang
i prayed for ethan today. God is going to work this out for good. prayers from portland and lansing michigan.
michelle
Adam & Kasey,
You don't know me, and I don't know you. But I'm a Hartford employee and the e-mail regarding your son has been sent around and made its way to me. When I read your blog yesterday I said a little prayer for Ethan. Then last night as I cleaned the toys in my 6 year old daughters room Ethan came to my mind again.
I had a conversation with God last night and included my wishes for Ethan in that conversation. I feel confident that he will overcome his illness, but wanted you to know that EVERYONE, even people you don't know, is pulling for him.
I wish you and your family strength and love during this difficult time.
Tamara S. Vera
Hartford Group Benefits Division
Seattle Sales Office
Thank you for the update, Kasey! I am praying everyday for your sweet Ethan!
Your sweet Ethan is on our hearts and in our prayers many times during the day. We pray for you and Adam and both sets of grandparents, too. We pray whenever the Lord brings you to mind but also in our devotions and at bedtime each night. Thank you for the updates on your blog. It really helps to know how to pray and to see God answer those prayers! Kasey, you and Adam are a wonderful testimony of God's sufficiency. The peace you have truly passes all human understanding. You encourage everyone who reads this blog. Praise the Lord!
Kasey, It was so good to talk to you today. I am praying for your strength during the most difficult times. If there is anything you need, please put it on your blog. I would love to send some money and I hope you set up a donation button on your blog as that is the easiest, most secure way to do that! Love you and can't wait to see you.
Hi sweet Kasey... I am checking this every day and praying for you guys. Thank you for keeping all of us updated, that way we know exactly what to ask God for. I know you may not feel like it, but you are a testimony to all of us in how to be strong, graceful, and ever-dependent on God.. whatever our circumstances. He is already using this time in your life for His glory! I love you, Ami (Blevins) Trull :)
I'm praying!!!
Love ya'll!!!
Our Sweet Grandbaby
This is encouragement from God's Word for protection to your little body as you undergo chemotherapy. Mark 16:18 "They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
Love, Papa & Mimi
I am praying for baby Ethan in Hendersonville, TN.
Adam and Kasey, We love you both and are praying earnestly for baby Ethan!! Please know that you are constantly on our minds and hearts and it's rare that an hour goes by without prayers going up for you all. Love, Aaron and Molly Strouse
I, too, read about your baby on another blog and want you to know that I am praying for him here in Richmond, Virginia. I am also praying for his sweet parents as they walk this hard road together right now. Truly you are a testimony of His sufficient grace. The rest of us watch in wonder as you experience God's provisions for your need during this trial.
My name is Rachel (Reno) Feehan, Esther (Reno) Brunk's sister, who is friends with your sister. My sister and her husband attend Calvary in PA and she has asked me to pray for you all.
I am praying diligently for your precious little boy and for you and your husband. I have a 2-1/2 year old boy and another due in 7 weeks so I am familiar with a mother's love for her boy(s).
I know that we may never meet in this lifetime but I felt that I should let you know that I am praying and will continue to pray.
I came across your blog from another one today and I wanted to tell you that I will be praying long and hard for you, Adam and your precious baby boy. I have a 3 year old and a almost 6 month old and my heart is literally breaking for you. As a mother I can't even begin to imagine what you are feeling and as a strong believer am I am so thankful that your trust is not wavering. Please know that there are many many people praying for your sweet family!
Blessings,
Stephanie
Adam,Kasey,and Ethan,
I am praying for you all, especially for Ethan. My teachers, friends, co-workers, and even people I do not really know are constantly checking Ethan's blog for updates and praying for his health. You are in many people's thoughts and prayers every second of the day here at Maranatha. we are all praying that Ethan will continue to respond well with his treatments. Keep trusting in the Lord to take care of Ethan. Your strength and faith in God through all of this has been humbling. You both have been great testimonies. I love you and I can't wait to see you in two weeks!
Amanda
Dear friends,
Many people in many places are praying for your sweet family. God is so gracious and wise in what He does and we pray that even your blog will glorify Him as you let Him shine through your lives. Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield:the LORD will give grace and glory:no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. Love, the Hunts
Adam and Kasey,
I have been praying for you guys quite a lot over the last week. No doubt you are carrying the heaviest portion of this burden yourselves, but please know that there are many others carrying some of the weight with you. In those times when you are too exhausted to pray, I know there are many other Christians taking over for you! In fact with the large number of people who are praying for you, it is possible that not a second goes by without a prayer being said by someone on your behalf.
Sincerely,
Mike Genovese
Although we don't know eachother I want you to know that like so many others your family is in my daily prayers. My heart aches for your family and this current journey. Although I'm familiar with the heartache and difficulties of a very sick baby and remember what it was like to sit at night in sheer exhaustion but spend the time staring at the little one in complete awe and shedding those tears so you can be strong throughout the day. Although I may be familiar, I cannot imagine going through what your family is facing and I commend you for your absolute strength. I truly believe we're only given what we can handle and as this challenge faces your family I hope for positive results for your little boy and a very quick recovery. I will continue to pray for all of you.
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