Monday, August 25, 2008

happy monday

Thank you so much for praying. Your prayers continue to be heard by the Father and answered in abundance. Ethan's breathing and heart rate has slowed back down to normal, he never acquired a fever, and we believe the fluid has left his lungs! I am so thankful. And so thankful for you. When God's people pray, amazing things happen. I strongly believe we could not do this piece of Ethan's Journey with the success that we've been blessed enough to experience, without your gracious help in voicing prayers to the Lord on our behalf. I really cannot thank you enough for that gift. God is truly blessing Ethan's life through answered prayer. You (yes you, reading these words right this minute) are more special to me than you even know. Whether I know who you are or not. Whether I know that you read this blog, or not. I feel you. I know you're out there. I know that when I don't have the strength to even muster up a word of prayer to the Lord... God puts us on your heart, and you speak the words for me. "Thank you" continues to seem like an insignificant way to repay your ongoing kindness....

Speaking again of your kindness, I was in shock to see this morning that our total money raised in support of Ethan for the Jimmy Fund Walk was $1733 OVER mine and Adam's combined goal of $1062. In just a matter of days we have received a total of $2,795 in support of our walk for Ethan in September. Adam and I are extremely honored and touched by your support of the Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana-Farber & Boston Children's Hospital - where Ethan is currently being treated and monitored and where his transplant protocol was designed. Thank you for honoring our son in such a generous way. Your names continue to be sent to us via email and we want YOU to know how much your support has meant.

Several have asked whether or not Ethan will continue receiving actual "treatments" now that his transplant has been completed, or whether or not he will get another transplant in addition to his first one...

The actual "treatment" phase of Ethan's transplant has been completed. His treatment plan included the 4 rounds of chemo he received in Connecticut, the 8 rounds of radiation and the 2 round of chemo he received here in Boston. All of that (plus a few other medications) were used in order to suppress his immune system and bone marrow from creating new cancer cells and kill off any lingering cells that may have been hiding out in some of his organs - bottom line - getting him ready for the transplant. Now that he has had the transplant, we just wait. We have to wait for the new donor cells to start to grow (engraft) into Ethan's bone marrow and bring new cancer-free life into his cells again. This phase of the process takes several weeks. Once Ethan's blood counts start to go up in number, and stay at a certain level for a few days in a row, then we are able to be discharged. He's not receiving any more chemo or anything that would be used to treat "cancer", because the assumption is that he is cancer free at this point and will continue to remain that way after the new donor cells engraft.

If for some reason the cells didn't engraft, or complications of relapse happened in a few months, we are not sure what would happen (though I believe this is not a bridge we will have to cross), because his body would not be able to handle another transplant regimen again. They do occasionally do a 2nd transplant with leukemia kids if needed, however with Ethan's situation, it's not really an option... at least not right away... because his diseases is so complicated, finding another match would likely not be close enough to help him and the conditioning his body has to endure before hand would be too hard on him the 2nd time around. But again, pay no mind to any of this, because I'm confident that the Lord has us enduring this situation for this point in time.

I just don't believe that any of this is about "cancer". Which is why I don't put a lot of stock into many of the concerns or fears that the disease invites. I do not believe Ethan's cancer is the focus of, nor will it be the final definition of the life he was created to live. I believe his having cancer is to serve the Lord in a greater effort than Ethan being healthy would have done. Which is the ONLY reason this disease was allowed to enter our lives. I believe God is using our little cutie pie to bring more people to Him, to show us His power, and to teach us to really believe. And I'm confident that after this short season of having to sacrifice certain desires... the Lord will restore. And we will be changed. Maybe you will be changed, I don't know. And I don't know the full purpose of Ethan being chosen for this - however, I do know - that the purpose is not unto death, but unto the glory of God. And not just physical death... but death of hope, death of dreams, death of joy.... No. The purpose of Ethan's cancer is not unto death of any of those things, but solely and only for the glory of God. That I might know Him better. And maybe even that you might know Him better.

Lord, I believe Ethan has been chosen to be Your tool - Your open door - to work in our lives and to show us more of You.... continue to protect Ethan's body from all harm as You do your work in us. Help us to watch and wait in excitement.

11 comments:

The Drama Mama said...

I was reading this and Kylie kept opening and closing her hands (that is her way of saying 'come here') towards Ethan's picture on the sidebar. She keeps saying 'baby'...so precious! She loves baby Ethan too!! Your little 7 month old has touched more lives than I can even begin to imagine. God is so powerful in the ways He works!

We are always praying, Kasey...and I, too believe that this is it for Ethan's treatment...no other bridges to cross. Sending love all the way to Boston!

Anonymous said...

I have to say that I really love those QUICK answers to prayer. I know that they aren't all that way, but we sure are glad that Ethan is doing better! Love, Amy

Moz + Pam said...

It's SO exciting watching God answer prayer after prayer! God has little Ethan right in His hand.

Linsey said...

I love you guys and I can't wait until Alicia and I can fly up there with our kids and have our first playdate!!

Megan said...

Because of Ethan's cancer, I have been brought closer to God and become more of a payer warrior than ever. Every day when I log in to read an update on Ethan I feel closer to God and I always learn something from you. I am so thankful your family came into my life. I feel there was a reason God brought you all in to my life. I know the purpose was to grow closer to him and to truly trust in him. I have seen all our prayers answered and I feel so blessed to be witness to Gods work.
You all are always in our hearts and prayers.
Sending lots of hugs and kisses to you and Ethan.
Love,
Megan

Anonymous said...

Another wonderful answer to prayer. You start my work days with the joy of what the Lord is doing in your lives. I hugged my grandson yesterday and thanked the Lord for a healthy baby. You have made us all appreciate the blessings of health and the wonders of life given by our Savior. He has chosen to give us physical and spiritual life here and life everlasting. We truly serve a wonderful God. Love to you all. Nancy Gallucci

Anonymous said...

AMEN! Kasey, AMEN! What a fantastic job you and Adam continue to do taking care of our grandbaby. What a privilage it is to be the grandparents of someone who is used so mightly for Christ.

Anonymous said...

That is such a beautiful post. Thanks so much for sharing your journey. I have never thought about cancer in the way you wrote about it in this post & it is just amazing. Wow!

Carrie Comstock said...

Thank you for the details. It is good to be able to pray with specific purpose and focus. Praying daily for you all...

Anonymous said...

Praying for Ethan and his situation with his lungs. I know how difficult it is to rid the body of fluid sometimes.

Continually Praying,
Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Amen! Kasey,Another wonderful answer to prayer. But we sure are glad that Baby Ethan is doing better!! You all are always in our hearts and prayers. Sending lots of Hugs and Kisses to you and Ethan... Love,
Elizabeth & Family