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...
21 comments:
Praise God! Cheryl and I were praying for his temp to drop. We are so thankful you guys didnt have to go to the hospital. He looked great last night and is in great spirits. We will continue to pray for you guys especially over the next couple of weeks!
Love you guys,
jeremy and cheryl
we have been thinking of you & praying for you. We are staying in town this year for Christmas & would love to see you at some point during the holiday....maybe some peanut butter balls & other holiday goodies could make their way to your house??!!!
We love you & Happy Holidays!
Still praying for and loving you guys. God has an amazing way of creating deeper and warmer memories than we could ever dream up. Here's to an incredible Christmas!
Praying every day for you guys ... check your email for a little Xmas happy ... praise God for his work in Joshua.
still praying. love you guys!
erin & ben
praise God he's been responding without side effects so far! I hope little Joshua and his family has a great Christmas!
May the Lord Bless you and Keep you! Lord I pray that the Kelly's would be able to spend Christmas at home. I pray for protection and healing for little Joshua!
You guys are constantly in our prayers. Hope you have a great Christmas.
Blanks Family
Merry Christmas!! Still praying - and praying for healing, continued strength and new memories of a great Christmas this year!
- callie priest
Praying for no fever and home for a special Christmas!!
Michael and Jana,
Marcus and I will continue to pray for a full recovery. God is a healer.
Speaking of healing, my little miracle babies are proof of God's grace and mercy. I am so excited to hear about the little girl. Girls are so fun!!!!!
Love,
Kiana Coleman
Joshua is the cutest little guy ever guys! I got to spend some time with him last week. Let's pray that temp. stays away for the holidays and his sweet spirit stays strong. Praying,
Aunt Kim
Love you all and am praying for you, especially that you would be able to spend Christmas at home!
Sass
Peace be with you all. TByrd & Family
What a blessing to hear that Joshua is doing well with his treatments. We think of him daily and will continue to pray that you will be able to spend Christmas time at home!
Phil 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus".
Merry Christmas!
Dear Kelley Family,
We were forwarded your site from both the Jud Price family and the Andy Dietz family. Why….because on April 11, 1990 our daughter Lauren was diagnosed with A.L.L. She was 4 1/2 at the time. Her older sister was 6. Her younger sister was 48 hours old! Today that baby sister is 16 and driving her own car. The big sister is happily married. And Lauren, she is a beautiful and very healthy 21 year-old junior at Baylor University!
Reading your journey hits so close as we were in also busy with a young family. Diagnosis, the urgencies, the unknowns, the disbelief, the questions for God and the doctors and ourselves, the needles, IV's, fevers, white counts - they all hit home. Your latest entries remind me of many stages in Laurens’ protocol. Your Dec. 18th entry reminds me of when Lauren’s steroids kicked in, her little face became round, she gained weight, she lost all of her hair, and she could wake up at 5 am and eat a half of a box of Fruit Loops! She didn’t look like herself – she looked like somebody’s small child who had health problems. It wasn’t easy but it was part of the healing process. Let Joshua’s physical appearance through this phase be a visual reminder of what a tough little man God is making.
I could write a book to you (you feel like you could write a book yourselves – I’m sure!) right now but I don’t want to take up too much room in your blogs. I’ll write more later. But for now, please remember that Joshua won’t remember…he won’t remember the sticks, the ouchies and the rest of those things that also make mom and dad cry. Remember that your son (and your daughter) is not yours – they belong to God and they are his gifts to you – to grow, teach and raise to adulthood. Continue to trust Him and thank Him for that incredible responsibility.
Will this experience change your lives? Absolutely. Still to this day when I see Lauren I look at her red lips and it is a quiet reminder that she is healthy and has been healed by God with gifts called meds, docs and prayers. She’s been cancer free and chemo free for about 15 years now but I can still cry in a matter of seconds just thinking about how gifted we are as a family with our health, love for each other and the saving grace of God that we’ve all experienced. He loves you so much. Oh, our little cancer survivor is traveling to Europe to study abroad for the spring of 2007. You see, God has big plans for our children! Johnny Rusten jrusten@lookoutdoor.biz
Jana and Michael,
My wife and I want you to know that we are upholding both of you and Joshua in prayer daily. Jana, I have only met you twice, but I am your cousin who lives here in the great state of Michigan (Metro-Detroit area). I met you the first time at the last Casey reunion, and at Grandmother Casey's funeral a few years ago.
We know that this is a trying time for all of you, but God is able to guide you through it and give you wisdom in handling everything. That is His promise (James 1:5) - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upraideth not, and it shall be given him."
It sounds like you are keeping your faith in God through all of this and it is our prayer that you will continue to do so, being guided by His almighty hand with His wisdom and His strength.
Praying Daily,
Jay and Melanie Cooper
Praise God for the lowered temp! Praying for a full recovery...
cody and carrie g.
Dear Friends,
You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. It is Christmas Eve and I pray you are celebrating that special time in the life of a family, that Joshua may be free from discomfort and the effects of the treatment in order to enjoy the excitement of this "holy day." May God's blessings bring strength and comfort as your journey continues.
Love and Prayers,
Always, Joan
Michael and Jana,
We want you to know we are walking with you in this journey as we have petitioned the Father for healing in Joshua's life. I know he is doing great things as He heals. What wonderful stories you will be able to share with Joshua when he is older of God's mercy and grace in his young life. Congratulations on a girl coming soon!!!! Begin buying lots of shoes! A girl can never have too many.
Blessings,
Pat and Nancy Hickman
I thank the Lord for you and for His grace and power. The power of prayer that is visible through Josh's Superheroism gives us all strength and pease in Him. I will continue to pray for Josh, for the blessing to come, and for the two of you. I will be so happy when i can see you...Josie
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