A New Mission Realized

We've made it to the end of a very long week.  Three days in a row at TCH yielded the following:

* Conference with doctors provided a detailed look at the next several months of intense chemotherapy treatments - necessary to knock out cancer cells and keep them from returning/regenerating, but difficult to see the toll they take on Paige.  These include longer infusions at the clinic as well as smaller doses at home via port and some in pill form.

* Surgery to place her port and remove the PICC line went smoothly.  Today I learned how to administer meds through the port.  This will be my task three days a week for the next two weeks--until we hit the next leg of the 'road map.'

* One blood transfusion.  Paige's hemoglobin count was low enough to require a boost of red blood cells.  I can't say I was surprised--her energy level has been low, and she has looked very pale the last couple of days.  We're very thankful she has not shown a negative reaction to the blood products.  In fact, a bit of color returned to her face, and she felt like getting up and around more today!  It's the seemingly little things that give me joy these days, but these 'little things' are great victories to parents of seriously ill children.

The long week took its toll on us all.  Boyce and I pushed through exhaustion as we helped Paige through doctor visits, chemo treatments, and 'no food allowed before surgery' times.  She had her first real cry after this week's long infusion session.  Her once-thick, beautiful hair is thinning rather quickly at this point--and continues to do so with this latest push of meds.  It was devastating seeing Paige completely heartbroken over this whole situation.  Seeing her fall apart gave me the go-ahead to cry with her--something I haven't yet done.  We cried and prayed together, which I think was very much needed at that point.  After a good night's sleep, we awoke rested and ready to begin a brand new day.  I love how God does that!

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We have been given a new mission - to see Paige through one of the most difficult situations a child could face.  My uncle penned the following words, putting himself in my shoes.  I loved the message of it and wanted to share:

I am the parent of a child with cancer.  My primary occupation is no longer teacher.  I am now also a doctor, a nurse, a physical therapist, a nutritionist, a counselor, a spiritual advisor, a motivational speaker, and--at times--a Marine Corps Drill Instructor.  This career change doesn't pay well in terms of monetary compensation--in fact, there is none, but the rewards are substantial.  I get to see my child:

• Graduate high school
• Get married and have a family of her own
• Succeed in whatever field she chooses  

That is more than any paycheck could ever supply.  Although my responsibilities have multiplied by leaps and bounds, my new job is really very simple: to see to it my child gets well.  That is my focus today and every day until she beats this, until we beat this.  It won't be quick, and it won't be easy.  There will be good days, and there will be bad days.

She will beat this.  We will beat this.

Absolutely!  God will heal Paige and see her (and our family) through this battle!  Mission: POSSIBLE!