Wednesday, June 20, 2007

day 29


Tomorrow is our "day 29." It's the final day of "induction," the first phase of treatment. Isaiah will be "put to sleep" for a bone marrow biopsy and a dose of chemo shot directly into his spinal fluid. They'll also test his spinal fluid in order to test for Minimal Residual Disease. At day 7 his spinal fluid was clear of cancer. Obviously we're hoping it's still clear. The toughest part of tomorrow for "Mr. Hungry" (as he's dubbed himself) is that he'll need to fast from 6 a.m. untill after the spinal tap and bone marrow test at 2 p.m. He is literally eating every hour these days, beginning very early in the morning, so fasting is going to be a challenge.


We will be fasting with him tomorrow, hoping the knowledge that others are feeling hungry with him will give him courage. If you'd like to fast with Isaiah, too, please let us know so we can better cheer him on.


He plans to break his fast with an In-N-Out Burger. His mom told him, "Eating a burger is not a great way to break a fast." Isaiah responded, "Ah, sure it is!"

32 comments:

www.sixhennings.com said...

Hey Sweet Boy,
I am definitely down with fasting tomorrow with you. I will be praying for you all day. I am so proud of you!!!
I love you so much!
Angela

www.sixhennings.com said...

From Jacob:

Hey Isaiah,
I am not going to eat either. I know you are really brave. I love you and I am praying for you. God is always with you.

Love, Jacob

Ken and Nancie said...

Hey Isaiah -

It's the Lotus people. We wanted you to know that we will be fasting with you tomorrow. Fasting and praying and then maybe having an In-n-Out burger ourselves. We love your family and are thrilled to do this with you!

Love & Prayers,
Kenny and Nancie

Unknown said...

I was with Donna this weekend and she showed me how to post a comment!!! You know me and computers?!?!? We have been praying for all of you continually. We love all of you so much!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for this blog, it has helped us know what to be praying for. Isaiah you are so big and strong we can't get over how much you have grown up. Sienna, the pictures show us what a fantastic "Big Sis" you are!! It has been great to see your faces, when we know that visiting in person is not the best thing for Isaiah, your faces are all so beautiful and I can see in your smiles how much God is blessing you through the this incredible adventure you are all on.
I will be fasting with all of you tomorrow!!!
I love you all so much,
Linda Layton

Niamh McCreary said...

There will be some fasting going on in the McCreary house tomorrow too....oh and maybe some In-n-Out also ;) We'll be praying for a wonderful outcome and peace during the procedure for you all.

Love

Niamh, David, Cormac & Ronan

Taria M. said...

Isaiah,

You are such a strong young man. I, too, will be fasting with you tomorrow. I just wish I could get an In-N-Out burnger after. We don't have one where I live. I will be praying that your cells are still clear, and that you feel good after your appointment.

With love and hugs,
Taria

Megan Webb said...

Count me in for the fast :o) I love you all and pray God's peace and mercy over you.

Anonymous said...

Hi Oates family!

Count me in on the fasting tomorrow too! Although, I agree with your mom, Isaiah. I don't think I'll be breaking the fast with a burger! :0)
We will be praying for peace for all of you on this day, as well as a GREAT outcome on all of the tests! Isaiah... you look adorable in this picture! I wish I could just reach into my computer and HUG YOU!!
You are all loved... and thought of... and prayed for... continuously! :0)

Hugs to each of you,

Tami

Anonymous said...

Isaiah,

We can't believe how BRAVE you are! We will pray for you tomorrow too. We will pray that your super powers aren't sucked up too much and that you bounce back even stronger! Hey, remember when we went to lunch and we talked about having a really cool "boys day"? Well, when you feel better and up to it... we will have to do that! ALL boy stuff ALL day long... okay? Keep bein' strong...

Lucas, Colby and Caleb

Michelle Coder said...

Hey Isaiah and Co.,
I'll be fasting with you guys tommorrow too. I'm wearing my "Strong and Courageous" bracelet every day. It is so true...you are strong and courageous. I'll be praying tomorrow that your test results will be great!
I love you sweetheart!!
Michelle

Jennifer said...

We are with you in prayer and fasting. May God's strength radiate through your precious son.
We live very close to Sutter and welcome you to use our home for meals, showers, sleeping, resting.
Our house is your house. May the Peace of Christ be with you, especially tomorrow.
Jennifer (Goebel) Ferrara and family

Unknown said...

Well I sure didn't want to fast, but being the token Catholic here(or am I not alone? hehehe) I have an intimate relationship with my guilt.

I am not happy about this, however, and once Nathan and Carmen say its OK Isaiah and Sienna will be the victims of a horrible tickle attack. I may even make cousins 'tana and 'bella pay.

signed,

hungry cousin

Unknown said...

Well I sure didn't want to fast, but being the token Catholic here(or am I not alone? hehehe) I have an intimate relationship with my guilt.

I am not happy about this, however, and once Nathan and Carmen say its OK Isaiah and Sienna will be the victims of a horrible tickle attack. I may even make cousins 'tana and 'bella pay.

signed,

hungry cousin

Unknown said...

My love and prayers to you Isaiah, and your family. Hang in there. I have no doubt you will see this through.


- Ted Bell

Veninga Family said...

Hi Isaiah!
So glad to hear you are home and it sounds like you're getting a little better every day! We love seeing your pictures and hearing about your progress. We have been praying for you several times a day every day since we first heard that you were going through testing. How STRONG and COURAGEOUS you are little warrior! What an inspiration you and your family have been to us all! We will be praying for you again for tomorrow. Christian and Kaylee are so good about remembering you in their prayers. They really enjoyed playing with you and Sienna at your house last month and they would love to play with you again after you're feeling much better. We would have written sooner, but we've been on vacation and we're kind of computer and technically challenged. God bless you all!
Steve, Patti, Christian & Kaylee

Madge said...

I will join in as well -- and a ice cold Diet Coke will be my fast breaker! I am sending lots of love, hugs, prayers, and good thoughts your way from sunny San Diego. I love and miss all of you and I am inspired by this blog and all of the strength and courage and faith you have -- you are an amazing family and I am blessed to know you!

Anonymous said...

Prayer and fasting....of course!!! Isaiah, we are all so proud of you. Keep up the great attitude and make it a double when you get to In and Out!!!! Hugs from San Diego

rewind photography said...

Hey Oates family, count mama Andrews and 3 little andrews in on the fast! We will pray as our tummies grumble. Love you all and miss you.
The Andrews

us said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
us said...

Hey Isaiah,

If you know me you know I love food, but I'd be honored to fast with you.

Love and Prayers,

C5

You can do it SUPERMAN!

Tarissa said...

Hey Little Buddy,
Thank you for praying for me today for my trip to Nicaragua. I will make sure I go swim in the waves just for you (although I am VERY scared of the ocean!) I figure if you can be so brave, so can I!
And I promise not to eat fish tomorrow. In fact, I won't eat anything, and I'll be fasting with you! I can't wait to hear how good that In N' Out hamburger is!
Love you lots and lots, and I can't wait to see you when I get back!

T-Danger

Unknown said...

Hey buddy,

I'm right there with ya!While I was on vacation in Missouri last week, I fasted for 8 hours cuz I had to get 27 stitches! Tell you about it later...

Anyway, when I was done, my mom and dad took me to get a cheeseburger and ice cream!!! It was great and worth the wait!

I'll be thinking about you tomorrow...

big hugs,
Jae!

Karen McReynolds said...

Hi all the Oates and especially Isaiah! Belize Jungle Man and Lady will be joining your fast tomorrow. We will be praying too, for strength and peace for all of you. I bet that burger sure will taste good! We love you all lots.

Karen and Mark McReynolds (Joel would be joining in too if he were here, I know.)

Sandie Haskins said...

Hi Isaiah!

This is TGK's mom wanting you to know that I will be fasting tommorrow too! You can do it! Did you know that TGK had to fast everyday for 6 weeks? He got to eat each day at about 4:00 pm. so I woke him up each day at 5:30 am to get as much food in him as I could!
You have shown so much courage to all of us and we are soooooo proud of you! We will be praying for great results!

Love,
Sandie Haskins

Sandie Haskins said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ireland Family said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ireland Family said...

Hi Isaiah!!

I have been checking in on you almost every day. You are making such tremendous progress!! YAY! You are SO brave- your strength and your courage are absolutely amazing! And your smile is beautiful and infectious!

I will definetely be fasting with you today!! Stay strong little man!

Love,
Tricia Ireland

Unknown said...

Isaiah,

I'm so hungry with you right now! We're going to make it through this together! Our family is constantly praying for you and your family. Shaw & Seth are especially praying for you everyday. We can't wait to hear how God is helping you on Day 29!!

Martaelisa said...

Hi Isaiah:

I'm your mommy's cousin and want you to know my family is thinking of you and praying for you.
Jeremy & Maya send their greetings and Love.

Marta Elisa

Kathy said...

Oates family,
Fasting is over. In and Out is doing its job and now... for the good news. We can't wait! Way to be strong and courageous, Isaiah. The Lord is our warrior. We're with you in the battle.
Bill and Kath

Victoria said...

Hi Isaiah, Nate, Carmen and Sienna - Keep holding FAST and know how so many people are holding you up in so very many ways. People are holding you up almost as high as Superman flies! I can't wait to get my prayer bracelet. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has a red band that says Relentless for a Cure and I wear that one too...cause my mom always said I was relentless! "Strong and courageous" is even better - I'll be thinking of you and praying for you all day tomorrow.

Victoria said...

Hi Isaiah, Nate, Carmen and Sienna - Keep holding FAST and know how so many, many people are holding you up in so many, many ways. People are holding you up, Isaiah,and your family, almost as high as Superman flies! I can't wait to get my prayer bracelet. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has a red band that says Relentless for a Cure and I wear that one too...cause my mom always said I was relentless! "Strong and courageous" is even better - I'll be thinking of you and praying for you all day tomorrow.God bless you all!