Thursday~The Starting Line

Chemo started tonight around 9ish. 2 Bags on dripline and 1 push in a central line that was put in his upper chest today. The bags will be replaced every 24 hours for the next 7 days, so he will have round the clock chemotherapy for a week. While the nurse began administering the chemicals Steve began chatting with her...he is a good "chatter" and loves to visit with people and it showed. Of course he has been teasing the nurses but they love it. He's also been handing out little bags of lavender filled sachets I brought down and some go by the door with the bags hanging on their belts. One nurse said she put it in her car and the aroma makes her think of us and she prays for Steve. Cool! 2Corth 2:14-15

Thank you for your encouragements. We read them to Steve and talk to the kids about who you are and how we know you. Last night all the grandkids came in with painted T-shirts and said "World's Greatest Pa" and other sayings, they learned about how sick Pa was and how he was going to get better. After they left I asked one of the GK's what he thought about all this and in a sweet supportive voice said, "I think we are going to live here for awhile" and another said, "It's good that he is here".

The kids have been extraordinary since this began. Coming and going, bringing needs, taking care of chores, etc., etc.,etc. Most of the comments involved the fact that they didn't know Steve was sick. Well neither did we until Friday afternoon when an unexpected call from the doctor said he had leukemia and had to go Monday to Fort Wayne oncology for a bone marrow test. Uhhh excuse me? What did you say? Well we spent last weekend trying to absorb the shock. We have since learned that a month ago he didn't have any leukemia in his blood work but then it showed up in a blood test result on Friday. Sudden impact...shock...sobering...clinging to the cross.

Steve said this morning he was playing some worship songs on the harmonica and when he stopped the door opened slowing and three nurses walked in asking him to keep playing. Our Pastor later came with his wife and they prayed together while anointing him with oil. I look forward to reading his daily journal when I get here and the log the kids are keeping on what is going down with Steve's meds and blood counts. And lastly I'm looking forward to morning coffee and devotions with my better half.

The Lord Our Banner,
Dawn