Wrapping Up Week 1

Let me begin by once again stating how wonderfully overwhelmed we are with all of the prayers, hugs, and intentional care. We are truly being sustained by it all. I’m so grateful for friends who helped give our kiddos some awesome friend time today, while Josh and I went to have his pump disconnected and for him to receive an iron infusion.

The day started super rough with lots of nausea, heavy exhaustion and just overall yuck. Josh slept here and there but didn’t have much of an appetite for much of the day. Those of you that have walked this road know how excruciating it is to watch someone you love totally not be their normal self. I found myself doing normal things around the house and helping our kids try to finish up our homeschool year (whatever that means) and then being totally saddened to see Josh the way he was. I know it was just one of those days where we are all adjusting to a bit of a new norm.

God has been so good to send us incredible nurses in this journey. I mean, I loved nurses before this but I have a whole new respect for this job. And having seen my mom and dad go through countless health trials over the years and the teams that have surrounded them is quite humbling to say the least. These people do incredible work day in and day out. It can’t be easy working with cancer patients either. I’m amazed by their grace, patience and joy they exude.

In Josh’s normal chemo weeks (every other week), he won’t be going through quite as much as he did this week. Getting that port installed on Monday and then immediately beginning chemo the next day was rough. His wound from the port was still super tender. His normal routine will be chemo and then bringing the pump in the bag home for two days and then returning to have the pump disconnected. With the iron infusion today, that added about an hour to about a half hour that it normally will be to disconnect the pump.

And, of course, for our son Josiah, who has become a Marvel fan, we have to call dad IRON MAN!! He mustered up this IRON MAN smile for this picture and that was great to see!

I’m glad to report that about the time we were leaving, Josh was beginning to perk up just a bit more. Tonight the nausea is slightly better too. Since the port bandages are half way off now, he’s closer to being free completely and in a few days he can fully submerge for a shower. Praying tonight can be really restful.

I’m so thankful for so many offering to bring us meals and for those that already have! I now have three people offering to set up a meal train for us, so I just might be saying yes to that soon! Josh has some restrictions to his diet too, so I’m hoping that won’t be too complicated! This week especially has been so helpful to not have to worry about one more thing. Next week is his off week and if all goes as planned, his next treatment is June 4 bright and early.

And thank you to the two friends who let me cry today and for amazing hugs when I was dropping our kiddos off. Some days this whole thing is more overwhelming than others. The kids and I were able to wrap up our last co-op of the school year yesterday. Pastor Josh was a part of our year and it was very hard for him to not be there as normal, helping with set up, making coffee and catching up with the kids! I decided to facetime him from our Assembly (I might have lost it then too) and that was so sweet to have the kids say a quick hello to him.

Would you all please also pray for some dear friends who are walking through similar roads as us right now. Please pray for Luke, Jim, Bryan, Uncle Brent, Doug…I’m sure we all know someone walking through scary health diagnoses. We feel like people are coming out of the wood work who are experiencing cancer.

Seasons like this sure make me long for that day when Jesus returns to make all things new, no more sickness, disease, or pain. I truly can’t imagine going through the ugly evils of this world without the Lord. I had worship music playing in the background of our home this morning and it was such a comfort, sweet reminders of who our God and that he is here with us in all of this.

Anna