Aaron Update (by Natalie)
Thank you for all of your prayers. I am feeling much better, praise God! I went to the doctor on Monday and it was my turn to get an EKG and be hooked up to the pulse ox. It was very strange to have those done for me after watching Aaron have those things done a billion times. I have been taking medicine for an ulcer this last week and am doing much better. The doctor told me I can’t have any coffee though. Aaaahhh!
I, too, wanted to express my appreciation for everyone who participated in the rummage sale in any way. It was a tremendous blessing! We had a great time working with everyone who volunteered. And, the things that were donated! We shouldn’t even have been able to call it a ”rummage” sale–we had so much nice stuff! The love of God has been demonstrated to us in so many ways and through so many different people since Aaron became ill. We are so thankful for everyone’s continued prayers, support and generosity.
Aaron had a pretty bad night last night. I have not had to call his doctor since we have been in Ojai but I had to do that last night. His nausea has been a constant problem since he got out of the hospital. It has been such a problem that he has gotten down to 110 pounds. Some days are worse than others and it takes a lot of attention and thought to manage it. We have always assumed it was most likely a side effect of the drugs. But, it kind of seems like we might be looking at graft versus host disease. Aaron was in so much stomach pain last night that I had to call his doctor. Dr. P said to give him some prednisone and, if that worked, it was probably graft versus host. Aaron has felt a lot better since taking the prednisone so we will have a lot to talk about at his next doctor’s appointment (this week). If you feel like reading about what GVHD is, I found this website to be helpful: http://www.medicalistes.org/gvhd/docs/what_is_gvhd.html. One thing to point out is that a little bit of graft versus host is actually good!
Last night was one of those nights that I really realized I had a choice: panic or trust God. In the moments after Aaron was first diagnosed, I realized that I had that choice, as well. This whole trial has been about me learning how to give my problems and concerns to God. When I do that, I have always found that I am blessed. I start to understand that there is something bigger going on than what I can see. As I chose to trust last night rather than fear, I began to see that God had everything under control. I knew that being started on this new medicine at this time might be just the thing his body needs to heal. For all the doctors know, only God knows exactly what is going on inside Aaron’s body and He balances all the intricate systems within Aaron. Within us all, actually! I also began to see that God’s timing and provision is perfect. Our dear friend from church came over to help me organize some of our things since our moving in is slow-going. Not only was she able to help do a bunch of that, but she was here to help keep the kids company while I tended to Aaron. We all prayed together and God answered by making Aaron’s pain–that seemed like it would never go away–much more manageable. Thanks, Sarah! God provided for our needs through you and you helped get us through a tough night!
I just wanted to share what God was doing in our lives since I haven’t had much of a chance to do that lately! God bless you all!
My eyes are small but they have seen the beauty of enormous things which leads me to believe there’s light enough to see that: You make everything glorious, You make everything glorious, You make everything glorious and I am Yours!–David Crowder Band
I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116:1,2
August 25th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
I’m praying for you both. Natalie you are so courageous Aaron is very very blessed!
August 25th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
I’m so glad the prednisone is doing something. I hope that just knowing that the source of all the stomach misery is GVHD at least a little helpful. It’s so interesting that it can help fight leukemia! Maybe it’s due to all those overly active T-cells? I’ll be praying that it’s just a mild case, that the prednisone does its job, and that Aaron begins to really start feeling better. And that your ulcer just goes away!
You are an amazing family…
August 25th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
John and I just returned from our church (Hillsong). Brian spoke from Philippians. The verse that I needed to hear was, ‘I can do everything through him who gives me strength’. I share this, not as any rebuke or judgment, but I share it in the way that the Holy Spirit spoke it to me… in loving reminder that, as you both have so aptly testified in your suffering over this past year, what we can do is only because of the ‘through HIM’. We cannot do life without Him and do it with any sustaining strength. My prayer for you both in light of Natalie’s health issues now too, is that you might feel the sustaining strength of God’s
Spirit in this new challenge that you face. We pray for you regularly that you both would be able to return in full health to your beloved ministry in the church amongst young people. God bless you both, Natalie and Aaron.
August 25th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Dear Aaron & Natalie,
>This whole trial has been about me learning how to give my problems and concerns to God. When I do that, I have always found that I am blessed. I start to understand that there is something bigger going on than what I can see. As I chose to trust last night rather than fear, I began to see that God had everything under control.
Thanks, Natalie, for reminding me that all our lives are in God’s hands, and that His agenda is not necessarily my own. I pray that I, like you, get on the same page with God, and allow myself to be used by Him to fulfill His plan. Aaron and you are an inspiration to my family and I, and we continue to pray for you and your family.
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” PROVERBS 19:21
Chad
August 28th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
praying, loving…
from Newhall
August 31st, 2007 at 6:52 am
You folks take the depth of scripture and our understanding of it to a whole new level. Thank you for inspiring so many through your blog and updates on Aaron’s condition.
May you see, feel, and deeply experience God’s love and care today. May His healing power flow through both of you so much that He would turn and say, “I felt virtue flow from me.”
August 31st, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Praying daily for your whole family. Thank you both for showing us how to focus on the right thing (person, God) and not give up. Natalie, I am anxious to finish our conversation about the difference between stress and worry. What a journey! By the way, Emily and I played with beads last weekend, and that set is REALLY cool. Hope you all can join us soon.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
I’m assuming no news is good news, right? We’re still praying for you guys. We’ll probably all come down around Thanksgiving, and we’d love to see you.