The 1040 Window

It has been a busy week of transitions. A normal move is difficult enough, but Natalie has the additional job of setting up a sterile-as-possible environment for Aaron’s still new immune system (If it can’t be sanitized, it doesn’t come in!), plus piecing together all their belongings that were packed by friends and family last summer and stored in various places. It has been a mix of frustration (they just got phone/internet service yesterday!) and joy (Home at last!)

Monday Aaron returned to UCLA for his weekly check-up. Doctor Paquette was so pleased with his progress he’s letting Aaron wait two weeks between appointments. Praise God! Though Aaron is still very weak, I can see “baby-step” improvements each day. He’s moving more, talking more, and fiddling with this and that more. Tonight he attached speakers and various cords to his laptop so we could watch a movie (Their TV hasn’t made the move yet…) His appetite is improving and he shaved for the first time yesterday. Little steps, yes, but all in the right direction.

Of concern: Late tonight Michaela spiked a fever of 102F and is nauseous. Please pray she gets well and her Daddy doesn’t “catch” her bug.

Of interest: The Wesleyan Church is sponsoring a RUMMAGE SALE on Saturday, August 11, 8:30am-4:00 pm to help with some of Aaron’s remaining debt. Donations of salable items can be dropped off at Fellowship Hall. The sale will be lots of fun!Come by and visit. If you have questions or would like to help sort, email me: boulderhaven@sbcglobal.net

It’s late and everyone is tired so more details will follow, but

PRAISE GOD, Aaron, Natalie, and kids are back in Ojai! 

Yet, another prayer is answered, and just in the nick of time.  In the next couple of weeks I will be getting to the point where I no longer need intensive and close monitoring by the doctors.  This means that it is getting close to go-home time!  Back to Ojai.  Wow!

You may remember that we moved out of our previous apartment because of mold, which we did not want to risk affecting me negatively when I got out of the hospital.  So we have been homeless for quite some time now.  Natalie’s parents have been very generous, allowing us to live with them in between hospital stays but when we go back into Ojai this time, it will be to our own place!  We are very excited!  Praise God!

Well, just writing this little bit is pretty wearing for me, so time for me to rest!  God bless you all so very, very much.

Aaron had another weekly doctor appointment.  We were pleased to be able to report to the doctor that Aaron had a better week with eating overall but especially on Sunday.  It seems that reducing the medication last week has started improving his nausea.  Also, the reduction in medication last week seems to have improved Aaron’s kidney function.  For awhile now, Aaron’s kidney has been getting mildly damaged from the medications.  This is the first time in a long time that his kidney function has been close to normal.  Dr. Paquette responded with glee when he read the labs today.  He seemed pleased by all of the numbers.  Dr. Paquette called off the scope (that Aaron was going to have done to look for the source of nausea) because Aaron improved some this week.  Aaron had some strong pain when the doctor pushed on his abdomen which is about the only thing of concern that arose during the appointment.  Again, Dr. Paquette doesn’t know what that pain is but he doesn’t believe it is graft versus host disease.  Aaron lost more weight during the week even though he seems to be doing better–he now weighs 119.6 pounds.

Dr. Paquette is going to be on vacation next week and said that Aaron could skip his weekly appointment next week–he doesn’t need to schedule an appointment with another doctor.  I’ve started praying that Dr. Paquette will have a relaxing, safe and blessed vacation.  We are so appreciative of his care and consider him to be a blessing from God.  God chose just the right doctor for Aaron.  We have met all of the other oncologists and Dr. Paquette is the most caring, helpful, encouraging, wise and trustworthy physician of the whole bunch.  He gives of his own time without complaining and is always quick to respond to our questions.  Praise God for using this man in His healing of my husband!  The next time Aaron will go for an appointment, unless he is having some sort of problem, will be on Day +96.  That’s exciting to think about!

Some of you have asked about the significance of Day +100.  It dosen’t mean anything concrete really.  The first 100 days post-transplant are very critical.  There are a lot of rules that have to be followed for the patient’s safety, blood counts are all over the place and the need for many medications is high.  After day +100, rules are allowed to be relaxed a bit (although we probably won’t relax too much–I’m super cautious!), blood counts don’t fluctuate so much and medications are reduced a lot.

Thank you so much for your love and support.  We are looking forward to when we can be back home in Ojai.  Please, pray that God brings that about soon and give Him glory for the marvelous things He has done through Aaron’s sickness.

For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice? And who has given Him so much that He needs to pay it back? For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever!  Romans 11:34-6