Home for Christmas?

We have had 2 days of close calls around the Kelley house. As you know, Joshua's immune system is weakened because of the intense chemotherapy he is undergoing. What would be as come and go as a cold to most kids can have a really dramatic effect on him. The threshhold for concern in terms of fever is 100.4 - at that point, we are to go to the emergency room and most likely will be admitted to the hospital for at least a week. Any fever below that the doctors consider neglible and not worth calling about.

The last 2 nights Joshua has run fever. I don't know how many people were specifically praying, but both of those nights the fever has gotten to 100, but gone no farther. That has put us on edge a little bit because to go back to the hospital at this point would mean almost definitely that we would be spending Christmas on the 6th floor. While there are certainly worse things than that, we'd really like to be at home.

On Wednesday, Joshua will begin another phase in his treatment. His weekly regiment will consist of a weekly dose of intravenous chemo and 2 oral pills of chemo, along with 5 days of steroids. It's a much stronger dose during this round, and the steroids tend to change Joshua's personality and dramatically increase his appetite. So Jana asked the doctor, "Is this the time we can expect the major side effects to occur?"

The doctor's response was interesting: "Actually, they should have already been happening." Apparently, Joshua is handling the treatments very well so far. He hasn't really thrown up yet and he hasn't lost his hair. It might begin any day, but not right now. Thanks so much for continuing to pray alongside of us; who knows? Maybe we'll be home for Christmas after all...

Hope...

Today we went to a different doctor, this one for baby number 2. Today was the day we found out if Joshua is going to have a little brother or a little sister. And the verdict is...

Girl. Dress wearing, pink loving, pony tail tying, doll playing, princess becoming girl.

That sonogram serves as a reminder that God, among other things is busy. He is busy weeping over Joshua; he is equally busy rejoicing and laughing with us as we contemplate what having another female around our house will mean. And He is busily giving hope to His people - to His kids. That sonogram is a reminder of all we are hoping for with both our children.