Friday, June 3, 2016
The End of Another Week
Today marks TWO MONTHS of a cancer journey for Dempsey, and us by proxy. Only two months? It feels like lifetimes have passed.
This week Dempsey had FIVE appointments and ONE procedure. Jake took Dempsey to the Infectious Disease follow-up Tuesday morning where they were given the all clear and didn't need to schedule any more visits. Praise God! I took Dempsey to his Tuesday afternoon infusion where he was accessed (needle in chest) for the week. All went well. I took Dempsey to his Wednesday and Thursday infusions as well. All good appointments. We also discovered the Infusionarium this week. Fun little "theater" in the clinic. Sawyer enjoyed it especially. Jake took Dempsey to his appointment/ procedure this morning. Lumbar puncture went well, no complications or side effects from anesthesia. Praise God. Infusion went well, also.
See, LOTS to praise God about this week!!
I also had a wonderful conversation with another family at the clinic yesterday. Their daughter, Sabrina, is at the 7 month mark of her Pre-B ALL journey. They too do doTERRA essential oils, use nutrition, and incorporate other alternative health practices. Sabrina looks wonderful. Her parents look worn out but I'm not surprised because they have three kids under 7 and the middle one has leukemia. It's a lot for parents to shoulder.
People keep asking "How's Dempsey doing?" I honestly don't know how to answer that. It used to be such an easy question. Now it's loaded with exceptions and qualifiers. I tend to reply "He's doing well, all things considered." People understand and accept that response. I mean, shoot, he runs around now, he laughs, he trikes, he kinda wrestles with Sawyer, he takes his chemo pills like a champ, he handles getting accessed with courage and resilience, he sleeps well, he eats pretty well (his appetite is waning ever so slightly), he eliminates well, he still has most of his hair, he hasn't puked, he hasn't had a bad experience with anesthesia or his many lumbar punctures, he doesn't dread the clinic, he likes his nurses, he makes friends at the clinic, he uses his manners more than most adults, he has wonderful character qualities, he uses leukemia-journey terms like "I'm accessed" as he gently pats the needle in his chest... All of this is AWESOME. But, he still has cancer. Can you say someone is "healthy" if they have cancer? Can you someone is doing "well" if they have cancer? I do say those things but you'll see me do finger quotes when I do.
I just popped over to Facebook to read a heart-wrenching post written by a mom about her daughter #katherinethebrave. You see, sweet Katherine has been given just two weeks to live. She's fought so hard and her mama just wants her to have peace. I'm tearing up at the love and heartache of a mother who will say good-bye to her child if God chooses to let that plea for a miracle be answered with a "no".
Friends, that is not Dempsey's prognosis. Dempsey's doctors only talk in terms of hope and absolute confidence that this will end with him winning on the other side. I work hard to believe that but a parent with a cancer-fighting child knows the risks. There is fear. Scripture tells us to not fear, so I try not to. Some days it's just too hard.
We need your prayers. When we are strong and positive- we need your prayers. When we are weak and scared- we need your prayers. When Dempsey is doing well- we need your prayers. When Dempsey has procedures no child should endure- we need your prayers. When Dempsey is acting like a 4 year old- we need your prayers. When we tuck our boys into bed- we need your prayers. When we rise from a solid night of sleep- we need your prayers. When we are on the road- we need your prayers. When life is going smooth- we need your prayers. When life hits some speed bumps- we need your prayers. When we're together- we need your prayers. When we're apart- we need your prayers. Do you see what I'm getting at? No matter what life is like or what is happening- we need your prayers. I am no longer afraid or too prideful to ask for anything. It feels like I just don't have time to allow those weaknesses to delay ANY help for our family.
We love you. I love you. You are co-authoring this journey's pages with us. Some of you provide the ink. Others the paper. Some of you provide the text. Others the spaces. Regardless of your specific input, you are there (here) with us. God is the inspiration for this book and we look to him as the editor and publisher. Thank you for being on this journey with us.
This week Dempsey had FIVE appointments and ONE procedure. Jake took Dempsey to the Infectious Disease follow-up Tuesday morning where they were given the all clear and didn't need to schedule any more visits. Praise God! I took Dempsey to his Tuesday afternoon infusion where he was accessed (needle in chest) for the week. All went well. I took Dempsey to his Wednesday and Thursday infusions as well. All good appointments. We also discovered the Infusionarium this week. Fun little "theater" in the clinic. Sawyer enjoyed it especially. Jake took Dempsey to his appointment/ procedure this morning. Lumbar puncture went well, no complications or side effects from anesthesia. Praise God. Infusion went well, also.
See, LOTS to praise God about this week!!
I also had a wonderful conversation with another family at the clinic yesterday. Their daughter, Sabrina, is at the 7 month mark of her Pre-B ALL journey. They too do doTERRA essential oils, use nutrition, and incorporate other alternative health practices. Sabrina looks wonderful. Her parents look worn out but I'm not surprised because they have three kids under 7 and the middle one has leukemia. It's a lot for parents to shoulder.
People keep asking "How's Dempsey doing?" I honestly don't know how to answer that. It used to be such an easy question. Now it's loaded with exceptions and qualifiers. I tend to reply "He's doing well, all things considered." People understand and accept that response. I mean, shoot, he runs around now, he laughs, he trikes, he kinda wrestles with Sawyer, he takes his chemo pills like a champ, he handles getting accessed with courage and resilience, he sleeps well, he eats pretty well (his appetite is waning ever so slightly), he eliminates well, he still has most of his hair, he hasn't puked, he hasn't had a bad experience with anesthesia or his many lumbar punctures, he doesn't dread the clinic, he likes his nurses, he makes friends at the clinic, he uses his manners more than most adults, he has wonderful character qualities, he uses leukemia-journey terms like "I'm accessed" as he gently pats the needle in his chest... All of this is AWESOME. But, he still has cancer. Can you say someone is "healthy" if they have cancer? Can you someone is doing "well" if they have cancer? I do say those things but you'll see me do finger quotes when I do.
I just popped over to Facebook to read a heart-wrenching post written by a mom about her daughter #katherinethebrave. You see, sweet Katherine has been given just two weeks to live. She's fought so hard and her mama just wants her to have peace. I'm tearing up at the love and heartache of a mother who will say good-bye to her child if God chooses to let that plea for a miracle be answered with a "no".
Friends, that is not Dempsey's prognosis. Dempsey's doctors only talk in terms of hope and absolute confidence that this will end with him winning on the other side. I work hard to believe that but a parent with a cancer-fighting child knows the risks. There is fear. Scripture tells us to not fear, so I try not to. Some days it's just too hard.
We need your prayers. When we are strong and positive- we need your prayers. When we are weak and scared- we need your prayers. When Dempsey is doing well- we need your prayers. When Dempsey has procedures no child should endure- we need your prayers. When Dempsey is acting like a 4 year old- we need your prayers. When we tuck our boys into bed- we need your prayers. When we rise from a solid night of sleep- we need your prayers. When we are on the road- we need your prayers. When life is going smooth- we need your prayers. When life hits some speed bumps- we need your prayers. When we're together- we need your prayers. When we're apart- we need your prayers. Do you see what I'm getting at? No matter what life is like or what is happening- we need your prayers. I am no longer afraid or too prideful to ask for anything. It feels like I just don't have time to allow those weaknesses to delay ANY help for our family.
We love you. I love you. You are co-authoring this journey's pages with us. Some of you provide the ink. Others the paper. Some of you provide the text. Others the spaces. Regardless of your specific input, you are there (here) with us. God is the inspiration for this book and we look to him as the editor and publisher. Thank you for being on this journey with us.
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
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Watch Over My Babies
Lord,
Your ways are not our ways.
As I tucked my babies into bed tonight, I felt such a rush of emotion. Holding back tears I laid Dempsey on his bed and pulled sheets over his little sleeping body. Thoughts of love, laughter, leukemia, reality, the very moment, how much of my heart he holds... came flooding forth. As I prayed with Sawyer, hand in hand, I could feel the eyelid dams starting to give way. This young man is an incredible gift. So full of grace, understanding, respect, hope, curiosity, humor, challenge. The words of prayer just flowed... please help us to parent him well... may he always be honest with us... continue shaping him into the Godly man you desire him to be... help us to always she who he is and not only who we would have to be... My mama heart just overflows with love and pride for this boy.
To look at sleeping faces is, for me, to see the fingerprints of God. To see my purpose in life, right there before me. I don't need to search for it. I don't need to even cultivate it. I simply need to open my eyes and follow my heart's beckoning. I was made to mother. I don't do it as well as I would hope to all the time but I do the job only I can do.
I ran into a friend at Target this morning. Divine appointment. She said something that struck a cord and has resonated with me all day... God made you who you needed to be for every situation you have faced (or will face). So true. I wasn't "ready" to have Sawyer when I did. But God said I was. Looking back, I can see how right he was. That boy has been my rock since he was born although it would take until our family's tragedy a year later to realize it. God knew it would take a few years before I was "ready" (or perhaps it was Jake who needed work... hahaha) to have a second child. I was just the mom Dempsey needed. All throughout their short lives I have been the very person they have needed for the journey God has planned for them. The guilt eases when you look at mothering this way. All the mistakes I've made, the anger I have exuded, the frustration, the grace, the hugs, the scowls, the hand holding, the long conversations, the looks, the prayers, the tears, the fears, the worry.... oh, lord, the worry... it has all been the way God knew it would be and he will make it all work out for his glory.
I have enjoyed viewing my babies as books with no words. I was to write their story until they could write it for themselves. The lessons they learn, the ideals I hope to instill, the ability to think well, the gift of living well I want to foster, and the prayers of finding Kingdom purpose throughout their lives are all things that are filling up their pages. Now, I would not have chosen a chapter in Dempsey's book called Leukemia, but there it is. Bold. Brazen. Scary. Hope-filled. We are currently assisting Dempsey in writing this chapter so there are no "spoiler alerts" to be had at present. Honestly, though, I'm eager for this chapter's end- prayerful it's a perfect resolution (healing) with no negative plot lines to pepper the rest of the book. We are learning how to fill Sawyer's chapter titled A Brother with Cancer with grace, emotional development, honing expression skills, the power of prayer, learning to look for the Kingdom perspective, and more. So, you can see that these chapters in the boys' books are gonna be page turners! No Cliff Notes in God's class.
For such a time as this... Man, that Mordecai sure was wise.
To my boys:
You have my heart. There is nothing you can do that can make me love you any less. I pray one day you will look at someone with a heart full of unconditional love and realize your Heavenly Father loves you like that... and even in a more perfect way. Your lives are not on accident, my loves. You were made to mold me, and I you, for a Kingdom purpose that will outlast us all. Please keep your eyes toward heaven, you mind in the Word, your hands assisting those around you, your feet in line with God's direction, and your mouth ever-espousing the Truth to all you meet. I don't know what God's gonna do with you and I consider myself blessed to watch Him work. I am here for you. I am here with you. I pray for you in ways you will never fully grasp. I pray for things that don't matter to you now... but they will. I also know that you are not truly mine. You belong to the Lord. He blessed me with you, gave me the responsibility of raising you, and ultimately he will call you where he wants you to go. I simply ask that you love me- faults and all. I cherish you more than you can fathom. I love you. Mom
Chick fil-A Fundraiser | June 7th
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!
Join us
JUNE 7TH from 5-8pm
to celebrate and raise funds for Dempsey.
Chick fil-A La Habra
1801 W Imperial Hwy, La Habra 90631
Dempsey receives a percentage of EVERY order between the hours listed above. This includes: dine-in, drive-thru, take-out, and even catering orders. How awesome is this company??
Please share this on your social media feeds because we want the line to wrap around the parking lot!
God is at work in Dempsey and through his journey. So, if you're the praying sort- when you pray FOR Dempsey please also give
thanks TO God.
We love each of you, even if we don't know you personally, and could not do this without you.
This Morning
This little peanut was the first to rise this morning.
Thank you, Lord, for keeping him alive. Thank you for waking him up. Thank you for another great night. Thank you for keeping the negative side effects away. Thank you for keeping him positive and active. Thank you for this journey, it is growing us in so many ways. May we always keep our eyes on you and your Kingdom...eternal priorities. Amen
Thank you, Lord, for keeping him alive. Thank you for waking him up. Thank you for another great night. Thank you for keeping the negative side effects away. Thank you for keeping him positive and active. Thank you for this journey, it is growing us in so many ways. May we always keep our eyes on you and your Kingdom...eternal priorities. Amen
Monday, May 30, 2016
Miracles
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)
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)
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)