I love sleep

Since we had been home from the hospital, Ethan started sleeping through the night (and it was wonderful!). I had gotten so used to the good sleep I was getting, that I was nervous that the nice little pattern we'd established might change once we were readmitted to the hospital. The nurse has to change his diaper every 2 hours while he's on chemo, to avoid burns, and his blood pressure/temperature are also checked throughout the night.... so I was so anxious about the fact that he'd wake up and not sleep due to all the interruptions. So, that was my private prayer to the Lord and I must let you know that Ethan slept perfectly last night. He did wake up and smile at the nurse when she changed him (she told me this morning), but he would go right back to sleep. How wonderful! Thank you, Lord, for the small blessings. I pray that continues the whole time we are here. I'm a MUCH better person when I've had some rest!

Ethan seems to be fine so far on the chemo. He's still active and has a good appetite. Continue to pray that the toxins from the chemo do not harm Ethan's body, but that it only does good things as far as killing the cancer cells and shrinking his spleen. And pray that his has no painful side effects.

Adam and I found out yesterday that when we go to Boston for our initial consultation they will tell us all the details of the bone marrow transplant.... progress they've made in finding donor matches, how long Ethan and I will be in Boston, the degrees of isolation we will have to continue to endure post-transplant, etc. Be in prayer for that meeting. It will be an all day event, and Ethan will need to be with us (for his initial exam). Begin to pray that Ethan isn't irritable or fussy that day, because he will be confined to his stroller or car seat for most of the time. But we first need the appointment. We're waiting for Boston to call us at any time, so we're praying that happens soon so we can know how to plan our immediate future.

I want to say something else here. All along I've said that I don't want to limit how God chooses to heal Ethan, but at the same time, I've been asking for prayer for a bone marrow match (since statistically, that is the only chance of cure). But I've been thinking lately that I shouldn't get discouraged if they don't find a match for Ethan or if it comes out that Ethan's body/situation makes him not a good candidate for a match. I've been asking for an obvious miracle, and God can certainly heal Ethan without the transplant. Of course, the odds that just chemo can rid Ethan of this disease are extremely low... but God doesn't follow statistical odds or facts. And though I am hoping for a transplant match and a cure for Ethan. I just want to be careful in my own mind that I don't put limits on what God can do. And I don't want to lose faith or hope in healing just because something may initially look discouraging. I don't know why but that thought process has just been on my mind lately. I pray the Lord will heal Ethan however He chooses to, and that He allows us the grace and strength to see any hiccups in the "plan" as His doing because He has a better way.

I've been in contact with that woman (Debby) in Alabama who's son (Parker) had and was cured from JMML. What an encouragement her words have been. I want to write more about what God has revealed to me through her, but I'll save that for another time. I'm still letting it all sink in.

We love you all. All who pray for and care about our family. Whether we've ever met or not. Whether we've been friends for years or for minutes, you're an intimate part of this family. We are beyond thankful for you and love you with a love that binds all of us to Christ... and to Ethan.

Thank you for that treasure.