My heart's feeling a little heavy today. Amidst all the great progress and news we've had concerning Meghan the last couple of months, we've also had a lot of reminders about the trials and sadness of life here as well. Sometimes it makes my heart well up with overflowing gratefulness for the time we've been granted and other times it just makes my heart break for all those around us experiencing set-backs and continuing trials. And it's not just our "cancer comrades" (though there has certainly been a lot on that front)- there is so much hurt and pain everywhere we look. Hurting marriages, struggling rebellious teens, friends walking away from the church and from their once-professed faith, economic hardships, sickness of varying degrees and death of loved ones. There are simply days when I just want to cry out, "Come quickly, Lord!" Of course this is all balanced by the beauty and joy we find in each day - good friends announcing a long-awaited pregnancy, the arrival of spring, time spent with family & friends, the truth & comfort of the Word, continuing employment and provision for our family, new opportunities, anticipation for the new member in our family (It's a GIRL by the way!) and most importantly by the hope we have in Christ. Pastor Dale recently preached a great sermon about trials (please listen here).
So what's new here? On the medical front.... Meghan had her 3 month scans last week (April 15). I could hardly believe that it had been 3 months already. Praise the Lord that they continue to be CLEAR! She is doing well - regaining energy and hair (lots of hair!). We met with her surgeon on March 30 (just days before the anniversary of her surgery last year on 4/2) and we were pleased to hear that (for now) we are not moving forward with any additional surgery. Meghan will continue in physical therapy and we will re-evaluate again in 3 months. Meghan’s other big news on the medical front is that she had her port removal surgery March 18 and was able to discontinue the last of her prescription meds! That's right - she is now only taking a multi-vitamin in the morning! She also got to visit the dentist for the first time in 2 years (she wasn’t allowed to go while on treatment). She will have to take a high-dose antibiotic for the rest of her life before dental appointments due to the allograft in her arm. Meghan has managed to successfully maintain a cavity-free mouth for the last 11 years, so it was a bit of a shock for this appointment to reveal 5 cavities! It really shouldn’t surprise us after the past year and half (all the hospital stays when she didn’t feel up to brushing her teeth and all the throwing up, etc..). All in all she is doing wonderfully. In the midst of following many of our cancer friends' journeys and praying over those who have lost their battle, are in hospice, relapse, active treatment, etc.. we are acutely aware of what a blessing it is to feel good and enjoy day after day together doing the normal basic things of daily life.
On the homefront - Meghan finished the volleyball season. The team did outstanding - winning all but one game and I was very proud of Meghan for her persistence and determination to stick with it and I really saw a lot of improvement over the course of the season. Rileigh is continuing her immunotherapy for allergies which requires a weekly visit for allergy shots. She is also participating in a program called "Girls on the Run" through her school. She is practicing a few times a week with her team and training to run in a 5K event in May. We celebrated Aidan’s 7th birthday March 14. (Can my baby really be 7 already??) We learned from Lauren’s latest ultrasound that we are expecting a grandDAUGHTER - so much fun! We enjoyed Spring Break - stayed home and did a few fun things with the kids - bowling & pizza party, The Tale of Desperaux, Meijer Gardens (butterflies!), sleepovers with friends, time with grandparents, etc.. God is good indeed!
So... life continues on...
I read a great quote recently...
IS TO KEEP
THE MAIN THING
THE MAIN THING
Wow - simple but powerful! What is your “main thing?” What are you living for? My prayer is that through the power of the Spirit you are focusing on Christ as your main thing. Praise God for His grace and love!
I don't want to sign off without leaving a few photos... (and yes, I realize I still owe a post and pics about Disney - keep checking back for that)...
1) Meghan - Knapp Knights "B" Volleyball Team 2) Rileigh's recent school project entitled, "Michigan in Hand" 3) Aidan's 7th Birthday (Star Wars cake lovingly made by big sister, Lauren)
Aidan and his best buddy Noah (this was a sleepover for Aidan's birthday and they are both dressed up as clone troopers)
Meghan is holding her port that was removed. This was used during her
treatment to administer chemo and other meds and do all her blood
draws, transfusions, etc. Hers was a double-lumen port meaning that
there were two spots they could access with two separate needles (those
are the two side-by-side circles). The two holes at the top (side in
this pic) is where the port was "tacked" into place in her chest. The
metal tube at the top was connected to tubing that went directly into
her heart so the medicine, chemo, etc. was pushed directly into her
heart and her heart pumped it all over her body. We've been joking
around about making some type of necklace or something with this!
Spending some time over Spring Break with good friends at the Frederick Meijer Gardens - the butterfly exhibit was awesome!
