Wednesday

At the end of this week we will be able to check off the pre-surgery treatment phase. Madeline has been so strong through six rounds of chemo over the last ten weeks. Add in a surprise two-night stay for a stuffy nose, and a blood transfusion, and she's really been through a lot.  Although yesterday got off to a very delayed start, for some reason that I am yet to understand, this round of chemo has been much easier on her so far. The pharmacist here was so helpful to work with Madeline's doctors to come up a better plan of anti-nausea drugs and so far, so good. This is the same chemo as last week that she must "clear" to go home. They started much later than expected yesterday, so it will probably be Saturday before she is clear to head home because of the timing and processing of the test. Ben and I are headed to my brother's wedding this weekend in Seattle, so Brad will stay with her. Pray they get home soon and she continues to feel good. 

We appreciate the continued prayers from our friends and family. Next week she will have a MRI on her leg to see how the tumor has reacted to the chemo. She will also have a CT scan of her chest as this is where those nasty cancer cells like to hide. Pray that her lungs are completely clear and that the tumor on her fibula is teeny tiny. Then we will meet with the surgeon. Insert scared mama face...

Cancer is awful. We were just a normal family going about our business just a few months ago. We enjoyed the summer break, bought our new school clothes and shoes, and my classroom was ready to welcome my new first graders. Madeline was a healthy 12 year old ready to start 7th grade and play in her next soccer game. In an instant, all of that changed. In the last month, a precious friend of our family was diagnosed with breast cancer, and this week someone we love dearly found out she has lymphoma. Please pray for everyone affected with this awful disease. It is the worst. THE WORST!!