Rough Road Ahead

Two weeks ago my heart shattered into a million pieces with the news of Paige's relapse.  I tried really hard to focus as our doctors went over their plan to aggressively attack the cancer cells--and how it would likely be even rougher on her body this time around.  The conversations were much harder than before, and some days it feels like the tears won't ever stop.  But then they do, and we continue on this road--with its ups and downs.  Here's a glimpse into our last few days:

Up: Paige's body tolerated 5 straight days of intense chemotherapy.
Down: Fluid buildup in one lung made a chest tube necessary.
Up: 3+ liters of fluid drained led to much-improved oxygen levels.
Down: ICU time to make sure we were only dealing with fluid
Up:  We finally made it 'home' to the oncology floor.
Down: All the time confined to a bed took a toll on Paige's muscles.
Up: Physical therapy and moving more helped ease pain.
Down: Counts are quickly dropping and 'yucky' feeling is back.
Up: Our room is re-organized, and we have visited with friends.
Down: Nausea returned with a vengeance.  Shivering wasn't far behind, and we are now on fever watch.  It's coming, and it will be sooner than later.  It's a necessary part of the process as chemotherapy wipes out the good cells along with the bad.

One of the toughest parts of this evening was seeing my precious girl in tears, questioning why this had to come back when she had been doing just fine.  She even told me she was sorry I had to go through this with her again.  That one just about had me on the floor.  All I could do was hug her, stroke her beautiful curls that will soon be gone, and remind her that she had no reason to apologize for anything.  That while I had no answer as to why this happened, I do know that in all of this God is still in control.  He has a plan for her life, and it's a good one.  Scratch that--it's an amazing one.

We have a rough road ahead, but our many, many prayer warriors are lifting Paige up every day.  I believe with all my heart those prayers are helping get her over some of the bigger bumps we've encountered on this detour.  Keep 'em coming, please...this is a long journey.  It helps so much to know we have friends joining us in this fight.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.   Colossians 4:2