Raking Leaves and Killing Cancer

Even though it is still HOT in Texas, our trees think it is Fall. Today I spent A LOT of time sweeping leaves up in the back yard. I was careful to make sure I swept up every one but the leaves continued to fall, even as I swept them up. I would sweep, they would fall down. Two hours later, I kid you not, it looked like I never swept at all. 

It's a lot like chemotherapy. Madeline goes through it each week hoping all of those mean, ugly cancer cells will be killed but there could be more cells somewhere else. It's so frustrating. Even after they remove the tumor in a few weeks there has to be more chemo to kill the cancer cells that might be there. It feels like I can't possibly ever sweep up all those leaves, but I pray that the chemo kills every single cell. The process is frustrating. 

We are all enjoying being at home this week.  Ben is especially happy to have us around and Madeline is so happy not to be living in a tiny room with her parents! Madeline's counts were very low on Tuesday, but she feels fine and is working hard to finish all of her schoolwork before quarter end. My mom went home on Wednesday and Brad's mom is "on call" so we can enjoy some family time just us. 

Hopefully we will get to be home next week too! We go back on the 27th for two more rounds of chemo. Both rounds are the ones that you have to clear before you go home and Madeline is really hoping to get home to celebrate Halloween. Then they will do more scans to plan the surgery and (hopefully) see how teeny-tiny the tumor is after all that chemo. I am guessing the surgery will happen before Thanksgiving. 

Thank you for all of the MadelineStrong t-shirt photos!! It means so much to us. We truly have the best friends and family. 

For our prayer warriors: Pray that the cancer is only on her fibula and that the chemo is destroying every single cancer cell. Pray that all of the cancer cells are being methodically swept up and thrown away. Pray that we worry less, feel confident that He is in charge, and know that He is with us as we journey through this dark place.   God sees us. Finds us. Intercedes and provides for us.