Plans, plans and more plans
Journal entry by Dianna Schaller — 7 hours ago
Since the beginning of this journey there have been lots of plans. Plans made by the doctors, made by the nurses, made by family/friends, and made by us. Plans sometimes worked out, and sometimes they needed to be adjusted. Today we saw the head pediatric bone marrow transplant doctor at the Madison children’s hospital, and heard her plan for Jedi’s treatment. We originally were told that none of the boys were a perfect match to be Jedi’s bone marrow donor. Today we found out that the type testing was done at a broad, low level and it had some inconsistencies that didn’t make sense, so that is why they wanted to test Patrick’s and my blood. The results are not back yet for those tests, so according to the doctor there is still a possibility that one of the boys could be a match. Praise the Lord for that possibility! With a sibling donor we learned the chances of short- and long-term complications are significantly lower than with a stranger match. The doctor said we should know by the end of this week or early next week. Please help us pray that one of the boys is a match for Jedi!
We also learned the specifics of what a bone marrow transplant entails. Some of that was hard to hear. The doctor said Jedi could be very sick during the in-patient part of the transplant while we wait for the new cells to take hold in the bone marrow. That is usually an expected part of the process, but definitely a hard one to get through. When he gets through that part, we will need to stay in Madison for quite some time as an outpatient for monitoring.
Before transplant can happen, we obviously need a donor, but we also need his cancer to be in remission. We start chemo again on Monday and then approximately three weeks after that Jedi will have another PET scan and bone marrow biopsy. We pray those tests will show he is in remission
Overall, the doctor was pleased with how well Jedi is doing. He still has the occasional nausea, but he gained a pound from last week. We praise the Lord for that! He’s still struggling to take his preventative medicine every day, (we’ve tried many different tricks of the trade ) but he is getting it down and even improving somewhat. This is a minor issue in the grand scheme of things, but nevertheless a daily challenge; sometimes with tears.
So, those are the “plans” made by us here on earth. We pray that those plans work out, certainly, but I also must share what the Lord keeps placing in front of my face. I mean, constantly, in devotions, messages from family and friends, posts from strangers, and even (seemingly) random things popping up on my phone...
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”Jeremiah 29:11
I really think He’s trying to drive home to me that His plans are greater than mine or the doctor’s, and that He is working those plans for our good!
Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t keep going...
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:12-13
We will continue to call on Him for guidance and blessings on our journey. Thank you for everyone who has joined their prayers with ours. We are every so grateful for you! We have witnessed some great blessings these last few months, and we pray for eyes and hearts that continue to see and feel those blessings through the trials!
My prayer in song:
"Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer"
Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
And I'll follow, though I'm worn.
May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.
Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.
Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go -
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne.