Allison: A Tribute

This summer marks the end of an era. Our dear friend, Allison, took a new job. We are excited for her in lots of ways, but the past two clinic visits have held a sadness that wasn't there before. You see, Allison, left her job as a Child Life Specialist at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. 

Few people know this, but on October 11, 2006, I went to visit Allison at work. I had the day off from teaching, so Melissa and I decided to meet Allison at the Pancake Pantry for a late brunch. On a whim, I asked Allison, if I could get a tour of the hospital and see what it is she does. 

So, we toured. She took me by her office, the food court, the play rooms, the performance stage, the trains, and then by the Myelosuppression Unit on the 6th floor. All the while, explaining the purpose behind each. As I walked down to bid her farewell, I turned around and said, "I never want a reason to come back here, but I'm so glad this place exists."

How on earth could I have known that the next day I would be coming to that same place to hear the dreaded news about Joshua's defective blood. All the while, knowing that when I got there, my sweet friend would be there to show me the way.

Allison sat with us as we cried the night Joshua was diagnosed. She stood with me and explained every procedure the first time they happened. She sat on the cold hospital floor and played with Joshua for hours so that we could catch our breath. She brought me countless Dr. Peppers. She stole toys from all over the hospital to make sure Joshua was well stocked. She laughed with us when we were finally able to laugh again. She met us in the Emergency Room every single time, even when we told her she didn't need to. She met us in the clinic every Wednesday for a solid year. 

I miss her. The last two clinic appointments have gone well, but there is still a hole, a feeling of loneliness that I didn't expect. Allison has played a major role in the healing that is taking place in all our lives. I know that she will continue to do so, just in a different way. 

So here's to you, our dear friend, and thanks for being willing to be a tangible example of the Lord's care and grace.

We're Knights, That's Right

We survived the dreaded steroids week with no hiccups. One of the ways to help Joshua through these weeks is to provide distractions from the discomfort he is having. So, we go to the park regularly, visit the zoo, plan a trip to the pool, or whatever will balance his entertainment with his exhaustion. 

This week, we discovered that the Backyardigans were performing live on stage at TPAC. It was about knights and dragons, two of Joshua's favorite subjects these days. If you are not familiar with the Backyardigans, they are the coolest toddler television cartoon around. They sing, dance, and imagine with the best of them. I strongly encourage you to check them out. 

Joshua was disappointed that the "real" Backyardigans didn't come. They were just people dressed up like the Backyardigans. This did, however, provide a great distraction for Joshua and he came home singing at the top of his lungs, "We're knights. That's right." 

Training

So it begins. Michael is already hot on the trail training for the St. Jude Marathon.  I, on the other hand, have been putting off officially training for the St. Jude Half Marathon for a while now. I haven't stopped running, but my mileage is way behind what would qualify for half marathon status. Luckily, I have found a few friends that are willing to trot along with me. Our training officially begins after Labor Day. That will give us just over 12 weeks to whip our bodies back into running condition. St. Jude is a great hospital that has provided care for many sick kids and has done the research for Joshua's treatment plan. Training will be tough, but the cause is a good one. 

Read this article. It'll make you want to join us. Well, at least come cheer us on.

Praying for the Peabodys

I am grieving alongside this sweet family. I don’t know exactly what to say, except their little boy Joseph was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. After many long months of treatment, they received recently the news that no parent ever wants to hear. You can read Allen and Gillian’s latest blog post here, and then join me in praying for them.

News from the Clinic...

Everything went well yesterday, though it took a little longer than usual. Joshua's blood counts looked good and everything went as normal. He got his vincristine through his port and his spinal tap, promptly waking up to an Icee in his hands. He was perfectly normal coming home and played all afternoon and evening. Probably by noon today we will be able to see some of the effects of the treatment, but so far so good.

On another note, we want to recognize that this journey is a long one for all of us, including you. We know it's not easy every 4 weeks to get a blog or email asking you to pray for us, and yet you continue to do so. You pray, you comment, and you call, and we appreciate it. 3 years is a long time to have that cycle going for all of us, but your perseverance is loved, respected, and appreciated.

To the Clinic

Big day tomorrow. Joshua goes back to the clinic for his 4 week dose of chemo as well as a spinal tap. This is week 12 of the 12 week cycle, the dreaded day that combines the intravenous medicine as well as the spinal tap.

So if you're in a praying mood (or even if you aren't I suppose) we would really appreciate you remembering us tomorrow and in the following days. Usually the 5 days following a treatment like tomorrow's are the worst of the 12 weeks, marked by discomfort, frustration, and strong emotion from the little boy. So onward we press; thanks for going there with us.

Pig Tails and Big Wheels

After many attempts, I finally got Andi's hair up in her first set of pig tails. She couldn't be any cuter! It makes her look like such a big girl. Thankfully she still likes to cuddle up her mommy and remember that she's still my baby. I know that won't last long.

Meet Flash. This is Joshua's new pride and joy. We got this bike for Joshua's birthday. It took a few days for him to get used to it, but it is now a daily routine. He races around the cars and pretends that a dinosaur, lion, or train is chasing him. No worries though, Flash is fast enough to take on any of these competitors. 

Promotion Sunday For Us All

On Sunday, Joshua will move up to the 4 year old class at Grace Community Church. He is very aware that he will move across the hall and couldn't be more excited. Andi will also be moving on. Obviously, she is unaware of the move today, but by Sunday when she doesn't have her favorite teacher rocking her to sleep, she may realize that something is a bit different.

As for Michael and me, we are making a promotion of our own. During the first year after Joshua's diagnosis we chose to leave the church we were attending. There were lots of reasons for that, but a big one for me was the need for anonymity. I had a very hard time being in casual relationships. I wanted the people around me to either know every detail of every doctors appointment and hospital stay, or not even know that Joshua was sick. So, we visited churches and even after joining GCC, we acted like we were visiting there. We didn't make an initiative to know anyone. For 8 months, we walked in late, left early and stayed in our bubble. 

Now, as God continues to bring redemption, we promote. We have slowly busted out of our bubble to make some new friends and even stay late to chat in the parking lot once and a while. Even more, Michael will be teaching a Sunday school class. Talk about promotion. I am really excited to be under his teaching again and know that so many people will be blessed by his gift of communication. 

Happy Promotion Day everyone!

I Don't Think She Knows...

...that she's only 15 months old.

Joshua had just finished a baseball game and Andi decided it was her turn.

This shot is of Andi using all her strength to get Joshua off of her car. I probably should have intercepted rather than snapping pictures, but the intensity on Andi's face needed to be documented.

I AM WHO I AM

Scott spoke today from Exodus 3:10-15, when Moses is standing on the holy ground in front of the burning bush. God speaks to him about His plans to rescue the Israelites from slavery. Once again, it was thought provoking and encouraging.

I came away from it knowing these things:

1. My inadequacies are not answered by my training and qualifications, but by His name. I AM. I WILL BE with you.

2. God is eternal, self-existent, self-sufficient and unchanging. Yet, He chooses to enter relationship with me.

3. God truly is He who exists and will always be with me in every situation of my life.

I'm Back.

I had the privilege of spending five days with my husband in New Mexico at Glorieta Conference Center. Since I grew up in New Mexico it was especially fun for the week to packed with childhood memories. It was also close enough for my sisters and their families to join us for a day. It was a wonderful week filled with lots of relaxation, Mexican food, and quality time with Michael. Since we've had children, I very rarely get to travel with Michael when he is preaching out of town. Thankfully Michael's parents offered to keep the kids and I was able to join him at this event.

I have always enjoyed the way that Michael preaches, but this week it was better than I remembered. Michael not only speaks truth with wisdom but also always emotionally attaches himself to the passage. You can listen for yourself here.

Upon returning home, I realized what a blessing it was to have Gram and Papaw stay with our children. Joshua stayed healthy the entire time, but Andi came down with the Hand/Foot/Mouth Virus. If you're unfamiliar with this dreaded affliction, it causes sores inside the mouth and throat as well as on the hands and feet. Needless to say, Gary and Judy had many sleepless nights and whiney days. Andi was nevertheless well-loved.

Apparently Michael and forget to take pictures when our kids aren't around. These are the only two we took all week.