Thursday, November 13, 2014

Started Chemo (Day -8)

The doctors decided to continue with chemo today (fludarabine). It's tomorrow's chemo drug (cytoxin) they are concerned about, so if her liver function tests are trending down tomorrow, they will probably proceed with the cytoxin. Her liver ultrasound came back normal, so they are still unclear as to what caused it.

However, Ava developed a reaction today. In addition to the fludarabine, she also got an antifungal. She broke out in huge hives all over, including her head. She's doing better after getting Benadryl, but as Ava has had both of these drugs before, this was unexpected. She is back in isolation since she also started sneezing and having a runny nose. Not sure if it's the rhinovirus, but they will give her another nasal wash just in case.

The sobering piece of walking with Christ is knowing that we are not exempt from trial and suffering, just as Christ endured all kinds of suffering for mankind, though He was without sin. Yet the humbling piece of such a journey is knowing that God's love for us is not at all diminished in our suffering: "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)

Indeed, Mike & Esther have seen the faithfulness of God's hand throughout these near 9 months, and even in the midst of pain and struggle, they know that He is good. In our flesh, we would prefer to proclaim His goodness from a "happier" place, but our spirits know that He is good regardless of circumstance.

In Esther's words on FB:

"We are reminded of Ava's special circumstance battling both cancer and severe allergies due to her IgE issues. Thank you for your prayers that things will stay on schedule despite the various setbacks this morning."
Thank you!

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