strong and courageous: Christmas at sutter

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas at sutter

Isaiah got a fever early around 3:30 this morning. We had to bring him to the doctor at 9 to check things out. Because his counts are still very low they decided to admit him for at least 72 hours. They are beginning antibiotics in case his fever is due to a bacterial infection. So we're here. For Christmas.

Please pray for his fever to go away and for his blood to be protected from any bacterial infection. He's clearly disappointed but remarkably positive. He keeps telling me he loves me.

Emmaus friends: we'll miss worshiping with you tonight. Worship well. Love one another. Peace to you.

7 comments:

Emily said...: So sorry that you will be spending Christmas in the hospital. Grant has had a cold all week and I have worried that we may have had the same fate! No fever for us so far... We continue to watch and wait.

Grant celebrates his 1 year Anniversary in Maintenance this week. We are thankful for our many blessings and will continue to hold your family in our prayers!

I hope Santa finds you tonight!

Merry Christmas to you all!

Love,
The Nelsons
Kevin, Emily, Eden, Grant and Jacob
Beaufort, NC; December 24, 2008 at 7:49 PM
Annelies said...: Oh such sad news, but I know that Santa loves the children in hospitals SOOOO much. So tell Isaiah to listen for tiny hooves!!! I apologize for the lack of card this year. Know you are always in our hearts and in our prayers. XXXX Anne Dease; December 24, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Cyn said...: So strong and courageous!!

I will definitely keep you all in my thoughts.

At least you are together!; December 24, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Meghan said...: To our sweet friends,
I'm so sorry that you won't be at home this Christmas... but I know you will preserver through this 72 hour stay. We will be praying for you guys a lot today. I hope you are still able to enjoy your time together.
We love you guys so much!

Merry Christmas.

The Heins; December 25, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Tami said...: Hello Oates family...

Merry Christmas! We still check in here every so often, and up until this post, we smile at the progress that Isaiah has made and the things that you are all up to. So sorry to hear that you have had to spend Christmas in the hospital. We are praying for Isaiah and for all of you as well. We hope that you were able to feel some peace about the day and what the next several hours will hold. We miss seeing your faces in person, but we're so grateful to be able to keep updated through this blog. God bless your night.

HUGS!

The Gray's; December 25, 2008 at 7:07 PM
molly lilja said...: Merry Christmas friends, I hope that you get home soon and get to celebrate in the comfort of your own home.

Love,
the Liljas; December 25, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Auntie Angie said...: Dear Isaiah bear, it was great talking to you today, you continue to be an inspiration to us! You are so strong and couragous! I am glad that you liked your gift from Ethan, we can't wait to come see you and play with the marble run! Give sienna big hugs for us, she is such a great big sister!

We love you...Angie, Patrick and Ethan.; December 25, 2008 at 11:32 PM

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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