strong and courageous: fasting monday

Sunday, November 2, 2008

fasting monday

We're already due for Isaiah's every-twelve-week spinal-tap and treatment. Carmen, Isaiah, and I will spend most of tomorrow at Sutter while Sienna spends time with her cousins. The most difficult part of these days, for Isaiah, is the required fast. Thank you to all of you who have already shared with us your plans to fast with him.

The kids had a lot of fun dressing up on Halloween. They spent the evening at an Emmaus-sponsored Great Pumpkin Festival at Foskett Ranch School. Sienna dressed up as "Lucy" from the Narnia Chronicles; Isaiah was Batman. He told Carmen, "Mom, when we were going out to the car I saw a bad guy. But I knew I would get in trouble if I walked across the parking lot by myself so I couldn't go get him."

4 comments:

little peeps said...: Could Isaiah look more like you, Nate, in this picture? I realize half his face is covered but that's such a Nate look. A little flashback from childhood. Sienna, you ALWAYS have the perfect costume! Very cute! Praying for you all and hoping to see you sooner than later.
Love ya, Kait and 3 little peeps (Uncle Mike is "flingin' arrows" in the woods of Ohio); November 2, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Anonymous said...: We were up early and praying for you this morning Isaiah. We love you and are asking God to bless you in a special way today.
Love,
Steve and Angela; November 3, 2008 at 7:57 AM
Cyn said...: Sienna always does have amazing costumes!
It sounds like they had a great time!; November 3, 2008 at 9:41 AM
Jaime said...: Speaking from experience, it can be very frustrating to see the bad guy, but not be allowed to go get him.

Hmmm, I think one of Charlie Brown's friends was going to run away from home once, but didn't, because they weren't allowed to cross the street.; November 4, 2008 at 7:15 AM

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update on isaiah's progress

We're received quite a few questions recently about Isaiah's treatment. Here's a quick update:

Is he in remission?

Yes. He's officially been in remission since the 17th day after diagnosis, early June 2007.

Is he still on chemo?

Yes.

Mercaptopurin (chemo) daily, orally, with a 3 hour fast.

Methotrexate (chemo) weekly, orally.

Bactrim (antibiotic) daily, orally.

Dexamethasone (steroid) every 8 weeks, orally.

Vincristine (chemo) every 2 weeks, intraveinously.

Methotrexate (chemo) every 12 weeks, in the spinal fluid with a "spinal tap".

Currently he is at the clinic at Sutter Memorial every two weeks for a blood check, etc.

When's he done with treatment?

The protocol for boys with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia is 36 months beginning after the initial 60 day treatment. We anticipate he'll be done with chemo at the end of July 2010.

Merry Christmas Friends!

Thank you to all of you who have sent us pictures and updates! It's great to see your faces once again. We've not been able to put something together this year (yet!), so here's a quick update for those who visit us here:

Carmen: doing a great job teaching our kids at home this year, running, hiked Half Dome, lovingly and consistently caring for all of us (and lots of others).

Sienna: super-creative and always nurturing, loves studying at home, played soccer, raised chickens and looking forward to horse-riding lessons in '09. See pictures of her 8th birthday here.

Isaiah: 08 highlights include playing t-ball, learning to swim, riding his bike, a trip to Disneyland, trip to Alabama, and lots of playing.

Nathan: ran a 25K trail run at Stinson Beach, loved our family vacation in San Diego, and is so grateful for our staff, church community, and the ongoing adventure of leading/serving Emmaus. Nate blogs very infrequently here; you can access his pod/vodcasts here.

2008!

There are many ways you can continue to pray for Isaiah. He has some exciting goals ahead in 2008!
Here is the list:

1)Get Strong! He does physical therapy at home 3-5 times per week and at the office 2 times per month.
2)Play Ball! He is working hard to get ready for T-Ball season. Pray he will play and that his compression fractures will heal.
3)Learn at Home! He is working on Kindergarten school work at home. Many factors make school work a challenge. Pray for a healthy brain and a desire to learn.

even more thank yous to...

the students of Amber Bobst's 2nd grade class from Eastside Christian School in Belleview, WA for the cards
all those who have contributed to our gas and groceries fund...you're keeping us going!
all the Emmaus families who have brought dinner to us in recent weeks
the Harrington family for the picnic package
Anne for the book and CD
The Hoke family for the birthday bird
Goebel, Linville, Nutti, and Ferrara families for the great gift certificate
Doris for the pint of ice cream
Emmaus for being the Church and supporting us in countless ways...for the gifts for Isaiah and Sienna...we're so thankful to be sharing life and discovering Jesus with you.
Betsy for the care package for the kids
Diane for the one-prize-a-day gift
Glenda for the beautiful superman quilt
Mrs. Liden for the SuperIsaiah cape and blanket
The Keaton Raphael Memorial Fund
everyone who is praying
friends and family for the financial support
Shirli and the Needle Arts Group for the blankets and hats
Susanna for the cleaning supplies
Susan, Laura, Sandie for nutritional help
Bob and Elaine for the motorhome
The Arena for the Batman blanket
Anne for the quilt
The Arena and The Ridge for supporting Carmen
Sunrise Church for the prayer quilt
Ms. Della Roca's 4th graders at St. Mary's for the beautiful cards
Josh and Lisa for the superman blanket