Miracles are happening all the time.
Sawyer and I were talking about Dempsey and his pill-taking while Jake and Dempsey were doing pill-taking time. Sawyer said, "I haven't really seen any bad things happen to Dempsey. Do you think that's because God is doing miracles?" I said, "Yes!"
I went on to tell Sawyer how miracles happen all the time but we get so used to seeing them that we forget to call miracles "miracles". By definition, a miracle is [a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency].
So, following this train of thought, I wanted to take a post and try to convey our deepest thanks and grandest gratitude for your prayerful support of Dempsey (and our family). I (we) truly believe that Dempsey is doing so well because of your petitions on his behalf. PLEASE CONTINUE PRAYING FOR DEMPSEY! He needs this journey to be covered by endless prayer until July 2019.
In the spirit of helping you pray intentionally, here are some areas of his journey that need prayer. This is in no way a complete list so please feel free to add as you feel led.
Pray for:
Miraculous healing
Against negative side effects
Against fevers
Against nausea
Protection over every organ in Dempsey's body
Effective treatment with NO damage (of any kind) to his body
A positive attitude about taking pills
Wisdom from doctors and all medical professionals we are in contact with
Our whole family will be salt & light to this world as we travel this leukemia road
Positive opportunities to be a big part of this leukemia adventure
Eyes and hearts to perceive divine appointments along this journey
Seamless accessing of Dempsey's port- always
NO infections
Strength/ health
Dempsey and our family to be a catalyst for discussions at CHOC (with staff or other families) about prayer, nutrition, and the importance & effectiveness of alternative treatments along with "standard treatments"
Each of us to have a Kingdom focus moment to moment so that the enemy will not be able to create a wedge anywhere
Us to encourage Dempsey in physical activity
Dempsey to WANT to do school
Us to use every opportunity as a teaching moment for BOTH our boys
Our support structure because we will need it daily for years
What the Lord places on your heart (feel free to share what is on your heart with us)
Monday, May 30, 2016
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Prayer
Lord,
Thank you so much for the incessant giggles from my boys. To hear joyous laughter ad nauseam warms my heart.
Thank you for the smiles on my boys. Despite the trials at hand, these two smile and laugh and help out around the house.
Thank you for Dempsey's increasing strength. Thank you for your provision for the trike. His enthusiasm and competitiveness reassre me that our little guy is a FIGHTER.
Thank you for the support structure you lined up for us to rely on during this journey. It has been overwhelming surprising and uplifting.
Thank you for a life partner who picks up where I leave off and is willing to walk this rough road with me. Thank you for the way he loves our boys and fathers them.
Thank you for being IN every aspect of this trial. Knowing this journey was not your will but that you are working it out for GOOD is comforting.
Thank you for your mercies that are new every moment and visible when I stop to look for them.
Please give Dempsey another great night in a long line of them. I pray against fevers, nausea, pain, and all negative side effects for Dempsey throughout this whole journey. I pray for courage. I pray for strength. I pray for health. I ask all of this for our Dempsey, in Jesus name!
Amen
Thank you so much for the incessant giggles from my boys. To hear joyous laughter ad nauseam warms my heart.
Thank you for the smiles on my boys. Despite the trials at hand, these two smile and laugh and help out around the house.
Thank you for Dempsey's increasing strength. Thank you for your provision for the trike. His enthusiasm and competitiveness reassre me that our little guy is a FIGHTER.
Thank you for the support structure you lined up for us to rely on during this journey. It has been overwhelming surprising and uplifting.
Thank you for a life partner who picks up where I leave off and is willing to walk this rough road with me. Thank you for the way he loves our boys and fathers them.
Thank you for being IN every aspect of this trial. Knowing this journey was not your will but that you are working it out for GOOD is comforting.
Thank you for your mercies that are new every moment and visible when I stop to look for them.
Please give Dempsey another great night in a long line of them. I pray against fevers, nausea, pain, and all negative side effects for Dempsey throughout this whole journey. I pray for courage. I pray for strength. I pray for health. I ask all of this for our Dempsey, in Jesus name!
Amen
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Prayer for My Baby... and Us
Pray for Dempsey. He's so emotional about taking his pill tonight. He's tired. 😴 We're trying so hard to help him through this and encourage him. Jake is amazing with him. 😍
I've also noticed his hair is thinning. 😳 Nothing drastic, yet, but often when I run my hand over his head/ hair a strand or two comes with my fingers. This isn't his "normal" but it is to be expected with this treatment. 😪 Hey, if losing his hair is the worst we've dealt with so far, I think we'll take it.
Heavenly Father,
Please protect my baby. Please calm his nerves so he can take his meds. This is so hard for all of us and Dempsey handles everything with a courage we lack. No wonder you rebuked your disciples for making light of children and instead impressed upon them the importance of being "like the little ones". Please fill us with your grace and patience. Help us to trust the doctors you have placed on this journey with us. It is so hard. Please help me to lean into the knowledge you've provided for me in my holistic journey. Guide me on the right path for Dempsey. Amen
I've also noticed his hair is thinning. 😳 Nothing drastic, yet, but often when I run my hand over his head/ hair a strand or two comes with my fingers. This isn't his "normal" but it is to be expected with this treatment. 😪 Hey, if losing his hair is the worst we've dealt with so far, I think we'll take it.
Heavenly Father,
Please protect my baby. Please calm his nerves so he can take his meds. This is so hard for all of us and Dempsey handles everything with a courage we lack. No wonder you rebuked your disciples for making light of children and instead impressed upon them the importance of being "like the little ones". Please fill us with your grace and patience. Help us to trust the doctors you have placed on this journey with us. It is so hard. Please help me to lean into the knowledge you've provided for me in my holistic journey. Guide me on the right path for Dempsey. Amen
Friday, May 27, 2016
A Roller Coaster
Y'all, this journey is a roller coaster, for sure!! One minute it's all giggles and the next it's stress. One minute you have friends over saying "hi" and the next you have to go inside because you've had as much people time as you can for the day (because of no immune system). One minute there's stress because the pill isn't going down and the next it's all joyous high-fives, bear hugs, and loud cheers because THE PILL WENT DOWN!!
So far, the biggest take away of this journey is: you must be in the present.
You see, if you spend even one second too many thinking about what's ahead darkness creep in and then you expend way too much energy trying to fight that beast back. If you take your focus of the Lord's blessings (however small) the darkness creeps in again and you waste precious energy fighting it. If you try to plan and something goes amiss, frustration opens the door for the darkness and you feel as though you have to fight it with your hands tied behind your back.
BUT, when you keep your focus in the now it's easy to be joyful, happy, dare I say content... When I say the now I mean the very moment you are breathing in. It's being mostly focused on what is at hand and only slightly considering what needs to happen next. It becomes about making a list and only tackling one thing at a time and in sequence. Men can do this with ease. Women? Ha! Mothers? Double ha! So, can you begin to comprehend the growth that is going on inside this mama? A lot, let me tell you. And it is hard? Tough? Painful? Refining? Not quite sure a word exists to accurately describe it. The closest might be sanctifying. Ouch.
I wish you all could have seen what took place when Dempsey FINALLY got the first half of the pill down. He raced out of the kitchen (like and old man who'd won the lottery) to Sawyer, almost in tears, to hug him and hear brother's congratulations. It was precious! *heart* Sawyer is always so good about encouraging Dempsey in these moments. As Dempsey walked over to me he was excited but I could tell his emotions had run away with him and he was kinda empty. A good empty. The kind of empty when you've just had the most awesome experience complete with an adrenaline rush and then the adrenaline is gone and you're wiped. He was the sweetest combination of proud, relieved, and stressed. Welcome to a 4 year old swallowing chemotherapy pills.
Jake took Dempsey to his two appointments today. First with the ENT follow-up. Dr. Houx gave him the all clear and set a six month follow-up and suggested a hearing test in the future. Praise God for answered prayers (in the affirmative). He rid Dempsey's body of that nasty mastoiditis and there appears to be no lingering damage. Amen!
The second appointment was his infusion of chemo at the CHOC Clinic. He had Charmaine for his nurse again. He likes her. She adores him. Well, they all do. While at the clinic he also had labs drawn since it's a long weekend and this chemo tends to make their counts drop. Dr. Huynh wanted that done- so, they got it done.
This morning at the last Friday School, Sawyer was given the Sportsmanship Award for 3rd Grade PE. So proud of our boy!! We are not surprised that he received this award, simply because of WHO Sawyer is. This award was the perfect thing to bring focus onto Sawyer during a season of life where it's Dempsey who is in the lime light and often seems like the sole focus of life. We work really hard to try and make Sawyer's life as normal as possible... some days we do better than others.
Today marks the end of Sawyer's 3rd grade year! How did that happen? On to 4th grade which brings a new school and new experiences. He is excited.
A friend brought us El Pollo Loco for dinner. It was a wonderful last-minute blessing for which we are truly grateful. It was encouraging to see her and her boys for a little while- those boys are growing so fast!
Please pray over the next few weeks of Dempsey's treatment. He has multiple LPs (lumbar punctures), multiple chemo infusions, many visits to clinic, etc.
Pray that his numbers remain high and steady.
Pray for no complications from the LPs or ANY part of treatment.
Pray against fevers.
Pray against pain.
Pray against complications.
Pray for travel mercies.
Pray for Dempsey and this swallowing pills business.
Pray for him to be interested in activities besides technology.
Pray protection over our family.
Pray our medical insurance issues get resolved in a timely and positive manner.
Pray against negative side effects of these drugs.
Pray that Dempsey will get restorative rest each night.
Pray against worry and fear.
Pray against stress and angst.
Pray for calm.
Pray for us to be ever-presently focused.
Pray as you feel led.
So far, the biggest take away of this journey is: you must be in the present.
You see, if you spend even one second too many thinking about what's ahead darkness creep in and then you expend way too much energy trying to fight that beast back. If you take your focus of the Lord's blessings (however small) the darkness creeps in again and you waste precious energy fighting it. If you try to plan and something goes amiss, frustration opens the door for the darkness and you feel as though you have to fight it with your hands tied behind your back.
BUT, when you keep your focus in the now it's easy to be joyful, happy, dare I say content... When I say the now I mean the very moment you are breathing in. It's being mostly focused on what is at hand and only slightly considering what needs to happen next. It becomes about making a list and only tackling one thing at a time and in sequence. Men can do this with ease. Women? Ha! Mothers? Double ha! So, can you begin to comprehend the growth that is going on inside this mama? A lot, let me tell you. And it is hard? Tough? Painful? Refining? Not quite sure a word exists to accurately describe it. The closest might be sanctifying. Ouch.
I wish you all could have seen what took place when Dempsey FINALLY got the first half of the pill down. He raced out of the kitchen (like and old man who'd won the lottery) to Sawyer, almost in tears, to hug him and hear brother's congratulations. It was precious! *heart* Sawyer is always so good about encouraging Dempsey in these moments. As Dempsey walked over to me he was excited but I could tell his emotions had run away with him and he was kinda empty. A good empty. The kind of empty when you've just had the most awesome experience complete with an adrenaline rush and then the adrenaline is gone and you're wiped. He was the sweetest combination of proud, relieved, and stressed. Welcome to a 4 year old swallowing chemotherapy pills.
Jake took Dempsey to his two appointments today. First with the ENT follow-up. Dr. Houx gave him the all clear and set a six month follow-up and suggested a hearing test in the future. Praise God for answered prayers (in the affirmative). He rid Dempsey's body of that nasty mastoiditis and there appears to be no lingering damage. Amen!
The second appointment was his infusion of chemo at the CHOC Clinic. He had Charmaine for his nurse again. He likes her. She adores him. Well, they all do. While at the clinic he also had labs drawn since it's a long weekend and this chemo tends to make their counts drop. Dr. Huynh wanted that done- so, they got it done.
This morning at the last Friday School, Sawyer was given the Sportsmanship Award for 3rd Grade PE. So proud of our boy!! We are not surprised that he received this award, simply because of WHO Sawyer is. This award was the perfect thing to bring focus onto Sawyer during a season of life where it's Dempsey who is in the lime light and often seems like the sole focus of life. We work really hard to try and make Sawyer's life as normal as possible... some days we do better than others.
Today marks the end of Sawyer's 3rd grade year! How did that happen? On to 4th grade which brings a new school and new experiences. He is excited.
A friend brought us El Pollo Loco for dinner. It was a wonderful last-minute blessing for which we are truly grateful. It was encouraging to see her and her boys for a little while- those boys are growing so fast!
Please pray over the next few weeks of Dempsey's treatment. He has multiple LPs (lumbar punctures), multiple chemo infusions, many visits to clinic, etc.
Pray that his numbers remain high and steady.
Pray for no complications from the LPs or ANY part of treatment.
Pray against fevers.
Pray against pain.
Pray against complications.
Pray for travel mercies.
Pray for Dempsey and this swallowing pills business.
Pray for him to be interested in activities besides technology.
Pray protection over our family.
Pray our medical insurance issues get resolved in a timely and positive manner.
Pray against negative side effects of these drugs.
Pray that Dempsey will get restorative rest each night.
Pray against worry and fear.
Pray against stress and angst.
Pray for calm.
Pray for us to be ever-presently focused.
Pray as you feel led.
WE LOVE YOU AND ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOU- ALL OF YOU!!!!
Amazon List Origami Owl Fundraiser (LAST DAY MAY 28TH!)
Chick fil-A Fundraiser: June 7th from 5-8pm @ Chick fil-A La Habra Marketplace
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Today Was A Good Day
Today was a good day.
Dempsey had infusion at 3:30 this afternoon. Sawyer came with us. While Dempsey was being infused, he played on the iphone because the staff couldn't locate the PlayStation 3 game Lego Indiana Jones 2. Boo hoo. Sawyer spent this time in the Infusionarium. I'll do a post with photos.
While we were there Dempsey's primary oncologist, Dr. Huynh, stopped by. She said he looked great and that he should be doing ads for companies like Gap, Hollister, and beyond. When I suggested Old Navy, because that's where we actually shop, she shook her head no and said "No, no... he needs to go higher!" We chuckled.
Daddy did pill time with Dempsey tonight. It went well. It still took SEVERAL attempts but only ONE phase. Each time he swallowed a piece of the pill he ran out to Sawyer and I in the living room and announced his success. We were there waiting to cheer him on with words and high-fives. Lots of joy and pride dancing around this house tonight.
The boys took a detoxifying bath tonight. We will incorporate these two times a week. Dempsey NEEDS these baths to help his body/ cells release the toxins that are being put into his body. We want those drugs in and quickly out! Thank you, so much, whoever you are that blessed our family with a HUGE bag of epsom salt and a set of Bob's Red Mill aluminum-free baking soda from our Amazon List! We are gonna need more baking soda in about two weeks. *wink, wink*
Take a gander at the next post for photos from today.
Prayer requests:
Pray for a positive meeting with Dr Houx from ENT tomorrow- a long-awaited follow-up appointment to address Dempsey's mastoiditis
Pray against fevers
Pray against nausea
Pray against negative side effects
Pray for small miracles all along the way
Pray for miraculous/ spontaneous healing
Pray for perfect numbers/ results from all tests
Pray for favor with scheduling throughout this journey
Pray for wisdom
Pray for a Kingdom perspective and attitude
Pray protection over our boys
Pray protection over our marriage
Pray as you feel led
Dempsey had infusion at 3:30 this afternoon. Sawyer came with us. While Dempsey was being infused, he played on the iphone because the staff couldn't locate the PlayStation 3 game Lego Indiana Jones 2. Boo hoo. Sawyer spent this time in the Infusionarium. I'll do a post with photos.
While we were there Dempsey's primary oncologist, Dr. Huynh, stopped by. She said he looked great and that he should be doing ads for companies like Gap, Hollister, and beyond. When I suggested Old Navy, because that's where we actually shop, she shook her head no and said "No, no... he needs to go higher!" We chuckled.
Daddy did pill time with Dempsey tonight. It went well. It still took SEVERAL attempts but only ONE phase. Each time he swallowed a piece of the pill he ran out to Sawyer and I in the living room and announced his success. We were there waiting to cheer him on with words and high-fives. Lots of joy and pride dancing around this house tonight.
The boys took a detoxifying bath tonight. We will incorporate these two times a week. Dempsey NEEDS these baths to help his body/ cells release the toxins that are being put into his body. We want those drugs in and quickly out! Thank you, so much, whoever you are that blessed our family with a HUGE bag of epsom salt and a set of Bob's Red Mill aluminum-free baking soda from our Amazon List! We are gonna need more baking soda in about two weeks. *wink, wink*
Take a gander at the next post for photos from today.
Prayer requests:
Pray for a positive meeting with Dr Houx from ENT tomorrow- a long-awaited follow-up appointment to address Dempsey's mastoiditis
Pray against fevers
Pray against nausea
Pray against negative side effects
Pray for small miracles all along the way
Pray for miraculous/ spontaneous healing
Pray for perfect numbers/ results from all tests
Pray for favor with scheduling throughout this journey
Pray for wisdom
Pray for a Kingdom perspective and attitude
Pray protection over our boys
Pray protection over our marriage
Pray as you feel led
WE LOVE YOU AND ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOU- ALL OF YOU!!!!
Amazon List Origami Owl Fundraiser (2 days left!)
Chick fil-A Fundraiser: June 7th from 5-8pm @ Chick fil-A La Habra Marketplace
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Mercies for Today
Your prayers ARE being answered affirmatively!
Today my main goal was to be PRESENT in each moment and not allow myself to drift into the future beyond what I had to be aware of. I prayed for that. You prayed for that. I was able to accomplish said task because of a merciful and prayer-answering God.
Tangent: When I say a "prayer-answering God" that's coming from a selfish place. A place where I want him to answer my prayers with a "yes" and not a "no". However, "no" is also a valid, albeit unpleasant, answer from an omniscient Father. Sometimes we parents tell our kids "no" when the answer they want to their plea is "yes". We know better. Just as God knows better. I am working to lean into HIS knowing better. It's hard. Tangent, done.
As I woke up, I heard sounds of Dempsey spitting up. I found Jake sitting with him on the couch and one of those lovely green disposable puke catchers. It was a small amount and Dempsey didn't really seem too bothered by it. Praise God.
Jake went in to work around lunch time. That's when the boys and I left to go hang out with Granddad (my dad). I dropped the boys off and did a quick run to Vons to get the "props" for tonight's adventures in pill taking- wide straws and Jello. I didn't know which method was going to work so I bought for both. Keep reading to find out which one won.
Dempsey, Sawyer, and I went to the CHOC clinic for Dempsey's 2:30 appointment. He had Charmaine as his nurse again. I'm not sure who was more excited. We saw Bonnie, per usual, and Dana. Some "oooo-ing" and "aaahhhhhh-ing" over my boys. Makes a mama's heart happy.
Infusion went smooth. Boys played PlayStation to pass the time. Sawyer got to meet two arena football players from LA KISS. I love how these people and activities are for the patients but our patient isn't interested. So, big bro scores and enjoys the frills. Whatever works.
Dempsey slept on the drive home and was eager to play once we got home.
Today there have been no negative side effects, aside from that little incident in the early morning. Praise God.
We are still trying to find out things that work for Dempsey and us in this phase of treatment.
Lots of technology. This is hard to swallow but it's for a season. We'll try to walk this back once treatment is over. Survival mode looks different for each family.
So, how did the pill taking go tonight? Well.... IT WENT GREAT! Not perfect, but great. It took SEVERAL attempts and TWO phases but he got a whole pill down. Jell-O for the win, folks. Thanks, Georgi, for the instructions and advice. I split the pill into fourths. I stuck a fourth in a spoonful of Jell-O. He got the first two down no problem. The third started causing problems. So, we stopped. I told him to go play more wii with Sawyer and we would try again later. Yesterday I didn't know you could do that. I know a lot more today than I did yesterday. Profound, right? Anyway, when Jake text me saying he was headed home, I told Dempsey that we'd show Daddy how awesome he was at taking pills. It still took a few attempts while Daddy was cheering him on but man-o-man did we celebrate when that last fourth was down the hatch!
Now, everyone is off to bed.
Prayer requests:
Pray against fevers
Pray against nausea and vomiting
Pray against negative side effects
Pray for courage
Pray for confidence
Pray for wisdom
Pray for miraculous healing
Pray for spontaneous healing
Pray for perfect results of every test
Pray against discomfort
Pray for sound sleep every night
Pray that we find the right rhythm
Pray that Dempsey can articulate what he feels/ thinks
Pray for calm nerves
Pray protection over our marriage and connection between us
Pray protection over Sawyer- last night was really hard on him (when I lost my cool with the pill taking)
Pray as you feel led
WE LOVE YOU AND ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOU- ALL OF YOU!!!!
Today my main goal was to be PRESENT in each moment and not allow myself to drift into the future beyond what I had to be aware of. I prayed for that. You prayed for that. I was able to accomplish said task because of a merciful and prayer-answering God.
Tangent: When I say a "prayer-answering God" that's coming from a selfish place. A place where I want him to answer my prayers with a "yes" and not a "no". However, "no" is also a valid, albeit unpleasant, answer from an omniscient Father. Sometimes we parents tell our kids "no" when the answer they want to their plea is "yes". We know better. Just as God knows better. I am working to lean into HIS knowing better. It's hard. Tangent, done.
As I woke up, I heard sounds of Dempsey spitting up. I found Jake sitting with him on the couch and one of those lovely green disposable puke catchers. It was a small amount and Dempsey didn't really seem too bothered by it. Praise God.
Jake went in to work around lunch time. That's when the boys and I left to go hang out with Granddad (my dad). I dropped the boys off and did a quick run to Vons to get the "props" for tonight's adventures in pill taking- wide straws and Jello. I didn't know which method was going to work so I bought for both. Keep reading to find out which one won.
Dempsey, Sawyer, and I went to the CHOC clinic for Dempsey's 2:30 appointment. He had Charmaine as his nurse again. I'm not sure who was more excited. We saw Bonnie, per usual, and Dana. Some "oooo-ing" and "aaahhhhhh-ing" over my boys. Makes a mama's heart happy.
Infusion went smooth. Boys played PlayStation to pass the time. Sawyer got to meet two arena football players from LA KISS. I love how these people and activities are for the patients but our patient isn't interested. So, big bro scores and enjoys the frills. Whatever works.
Dempsey slept on the drive home and was eager to play once we got home.
Today there have been no negative side effects, aside from that little incident in the early morning. Praise God.
We are still trying to find out things that work for Dempsey and us in this phase of treatment.
Lots of technology. This is hard to swallow but it's for a season. We'll try to walk this back once treatment is over. Survival mode looks different for each family.
So, how did the pill taking go tonight? Well.... IT WENT GREAT! Not perfect, but great. It took SEVERAL attempts and TWO phases but he got a whole pill down. Jell-O for the win, folks. Thanks, Georgi, for the instructions and advice. I split the pill into fourths. I stuck a fourth in a spoonful of Jell-O. He got the first two down no problem. The third started causing problems. So, we stopped. I told him to go play more wii with Sawyer and we would try again later. Yesterday I didn't know you could do that. I know a lot more today than I did yesterday. Profound, right? Anyway, when Jake text me saying he was headed home, I told Dempsey that we'd show Daddy how awesome he was at taking pills. It still took a few attempts while Daddy was cheering him on but man-o-man did we celebrate when that last fourth was down the hatch!
Now, everyone is off to bed.
Prayer requests:
Pray against fevers
Pray against nausea and vomiting
Pray against negative side effects
Pray for courage
Pray for confidence
Pray for wisdom
Pray for miraculous healing
Pray for spontaneous healing
Pray for perfect results of every test
Pray against discomfort
Pray for sound sleep every night
Pray that we find the right rhythm
Pray that Dempsey can articulate what he feels/ thinks
Pray for calm nerves
Pray protection over our marriage and connection between us
Pray protection over Sawyer- last night was really hard on him (when I lost my cool with the pill taking)
Pray as you feel led
WE LOVE YOU AND ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOU- ALL OF YOU!!!!
Chick fil-A Fundraiser: June 7th from 5-8pm @ Chick fil-A La Habra Marketplace
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