Day +34 (by Natalie)
Aaron hasn’t had a fever since yesterday morning. Praise God! They determined he has C.diff and are treating him accordingly. We were surprised to learn, this morning, that Aaron is neutropinic again. If you remember, they determine you have engrafted by when you are not neutropinic anymore. Aaron officially engrafted on Day +24. He should not have fallen back into neutropinic ranges. The doctors said this morning that there are a few medicines Aaron is taking that could potentially be the cause. We asked the attending physician how weird this was. She replied that she is not happy about it but she did not seem overly concerned. They will eliminate a drug that he takes every Saturday (Bactrim) to see if that helps and will also restart neupogen. We haven’t heard anyone say anything about what this means in terms of engraftment yet. Today’s date is May 15th. It was May 17th of last year that Aaron was diagnosed with AML.
Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. Ecclesiastes 11:5
Personally, I try not to ask God for anything that I think is me trying to tell Him how to do His job (i.e., make Aaron’s white cells increase, make his rash go away, let him come home now). I know that I don’t have the foggiest idea how God is working everything out for Aaron’s complete healing. There are so many complicated and intricate steps, reactions and timings that only God can control to bring about Aaron’s restored health. I’ve seen “bad” things turn out to be “good” things and “good” things turn out to be “not as good” as I thought. But, in everything, I have seen God’s protective and powerful hand. The invisible qualities of God that are evident in creation are also evident in everything we have gone through in the last year. God’s eternal power and divine nature have been on display through Aaron’s sickness so that we are left without excuse for not knowing God better. I have learned a tremendous amount about God in this last year and I hope you have, too! So, as we are all feeling a little nervous down here with this morning’s changes, we invite you to rely on God with us for a spectacular resolution to this “problem.” Just as we have trusted Him, relied on Him and petitioned Him for the last year regarding Aaron, lets continue to do so expecting to see Him do great things and praising Him for what He has done already. We love you!
May 15th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
God is good. I think that’s the most important thing He drove home while we’ve been watching and praying with you guys. I doubted that fact for a long time, but it’s hard to doubt it now. You guys are living proof of the Gospel– that Jesus is the one who saves and Jesus is the one who heals, and there’s nothing we can do but stick close to him and let him do what he wants with us. You have an incredible ministry which (like everything else God calls his people to) you have absolutely no control over, and that’s wonderful. Thank you for holding on tight and staying faithful in front of so many witnesses. :)
May 15th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
What a beautiful witness you have Natalie. I praise God for you. I can not imagine how out of control you must feel things are at times, yet your faith tells you that it is not out of control, but in God’s Hands! Thank you, Jesus, for otherwise we all would be lost. I am praying daily and sometimes moment to moment for you all. Keep the Faith, sister!
May 16th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Natalie, sometimes, when I read the words of your heart, I feel as though I have just stepped into the back corner of God’s throne room. And I am overwhelmingly aware of my lacking…in faith, in patience, in endurance. All these things that the Lord is so faithfully producing in you. I feel more than blessed, and somewhat ashamed in my wandering and doubting at times, to call you my friend. Thank you for being counted among God’s faithful. I love you, I am praying for you and your family, and I am trusting and believing with you, waiting to see what God will do on your behalf.
“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!” 1 Sam. 12:16