So, We Stay

For a few days the scuttle about Dempsey was that we would go home this week. Today even. We met with Dr Kirov, who was the final say on discharging Dempsey. He initially told us we were going home today. Then, a short while later, he came back and said he changed his mind. He just didn't feel right or comfortable about sending Dempsey home.

We are okay with this.

Is it hard to be living at a hospital? Yes! Do we want to go home? Yes. Is Dempsey ready to go home? Emotionally, yes. Physically, no.

Y'all might be thinking "Gee, I'd want to get home ASAP if I were them." We, too, have had that thought. BUT we also know Dempsey is much sicker than he appears to be. He's not just battling leukemia. He also has a secondary infection in his head (ear/ mastoid) that is serious.

This infection was one of the main things making me super nervous about taking him home. He is still on IV antibiotics and, to me, that requires to much care to go home. Now, I know that plenty of people go home on IV meds. Perhaps their situation is less severe.

So, we stay.

This works on several fronts. Dempsey is safer while in this phase of treatment. We have a rhythm with schedule, Jake and I. There is work being done in our house. There is work going to be done on Saturday. If we left CHOC now we would have been moving into my parent's place through the weekend.

God brought us here. God is keeping us here. So, we stay.

Dempsey will need his needle (port tubies) changed again this Thursday or Friday. Another good reason to be here.

Prayer requests: Pray that Dempsey's numbers (his blood levels, etc) remain stable or rise. Pray that doctors will be mindful about Dempsey's overall condition and not forget about his infection. Pray that the infection miraculously disappears. Pray for miraculous healing for Dempsey. Pray against negative side effects and complications. Pray for perfect numbers/ results. Pray for high spirits. Pray for courage. Pray for faith. Pray that this impacts many for good. Pray for recuperative rest/ sleep. Pray for energy and strength. Pray for distraction. Pray for increased muscle mass.

Praises: Dempsey is stable. Dempsey is alive. He is pretty happy and able to laugh genuinely. He sleeps well. He eats pretty well. His most noticeable side effect is an increased sensitivity to temperature... perhaps some other senses as well (sound). His antibiotic rash seems to be mostly gone. He can walk (short distances and with some pain). He isn't allergic to anesthesia. His body seems to be tolerating chemo really well. He hasn't puffed up like most chemo kids do (the nutritionist said this is due to his healthy diet/ lifestyle). Despite moments of anger and frustration, he pushes through and obeys the tough stuff we are asking him to do. Our support network remains strong and active. YOUR PRAYERS ARE BEING HEARD!!