Hurray!

Psalm 9:1

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.

Thanks so much for your prayers for Gage and our family this week as he started kindergarten. I’m so thankful that the Lord chose to answer those prayers above and beyond what we could have imagined. Gage went to school Monday morning without complaint or much apprehension. He was able to stay the full day each day and participate in all that his class did, including gym. He also felt comfortable telling his teacher when he was tired or when his legs hurt…as well as communicating to his gym coaches that he was concerned someone would bump into him where his port is implanted in his side.

On Wednesday, Blake and I visited Gage’s class along with one of his favorite nurses from Children’s. The three of us spent time talking with his classmates about Gage’s leukemia, why he will miss school often, why he might be more tired at times, how important it is for them to wash their hands, why they should tell the teacher if they’re not feeling well…and how brave Gage has been during his treatment, receiving finger poke blood draws weekly and countless “medicine shots” in his port, thighs, arm and spine. Not surprisingly, many of the kids wanted to share that they’ve had stitches, been to the hospital when a sibling was born or had also been poked by a needle before. So cute…

When Avery and Gage got home that day, Avery wanted to know how the sharing had gone in Gage’s class. Her question to him: “Gage, were there lots of ooohs and ahhhs?” Again, a funny moment in the middle of a week that still seems surreal at times.

And, there was a picture perfect moment this week that I didn’t catch with my camera. After our visit to Gage’s class, we walked with them to the playground. After a few minutes, we told Gage it was time for us to go. Instead of running to us for a long, sad, clingy hug (which would have been totally understandable), he ran off to join his friends and barely looked over his shoulder to give us a half-wave and a very quick “Bye!”

So, although I know all weeks won’t be as smooth as this one was, it was pure joy to watch him get to just be a kid. And, it was a great affirmation for me that he is ready to return to school.

Today (Friday) Gage did miss school because of a scheduled clinic visit (normally Monday, but moved because of Labor Day). He did a breathing treatment, got chemo in his port and started a week of twice-daily steroids. (For those of you new to our story, you can see more about the breathing treatment here and more about life on steroids here).

And…now we’re ready to enjoy the long weekend with all the kids at home. It’s been such an encouraging week, and we truly believe your prayers have made a difference in our lives. Please pray for Gage and the girls this week as we begin a round of steroids with all the usual challenges that brings.

Have a great Labor Day, and thanks for checking in.

RH

The First Day

As Blake said tonight when we prayed, “What a difference a year makes…”

Last year on the first day of school after dropping off Avery for 1st grade:

Today, as Gage walks toward his first day of kindergarten:

Really, what more could I say? As I got the kids ready for school this morning and as we made our way to each classroom, I could vividly picture this day last year. Yes, it’s a hard transition and a challenge to send Gage to kindergarten…but it’s so much better than where we were last year, with weeks of hospitalization and months of intense chemotherapy (and intense side effects) ahead of us. And, I’m happy to report, that Gage did great today. I think he loved being a “big kid” and heading off to school with Avery this morning, and he seemed able to keep up physically with the activities of the day. Still, the first day of school is pretty adrenaline-fueled, so please continue to pray for him as the challenge will increase as he gets more tired from being at school each day. Also, next week is a “steroid week,” so that will be an additional challenge for him each day.

Gage and Avery were also able to see each other in the hallway a couple times today, which they were both very excited about. And, Ellie was thrilled to finally have some time to herself at home where she didn’t have to fight with anyone or for anyone’s attention…a long-awaited and well-deserved day for her.

And…a few more pictures from the day:

Avery, Gage & Ellie before school (can’t tell from the picture, but Ellie doesn’t start until next week!)

Gage with his teacher, Courtney Hoek (who also taught Avery in kindergarten)

Avery with her teacher, Mr. Russell, a favorite of all who’ve had him!

Ellie, not too sad to be leaving Avery & Gage at school:

After we dropped the kids off, Ellie said “Mommy, now you only have me! Daddy, do you want to go to an ice cream shop, just you and me?” I think she’s smiling so much because she know what it means that they’re at school all day (even if we do still have Wesley at home). And, truly, one thing I’m really looking forward to this year is getting to make-up for lost time with her after the past 14 months.

And, one last update: Gage’s friend Laurren had her scans today, and the spot they were concerned about on her lung has not grown…meaning the cancer has not returned! I know they are relieved and rejoicing tonight. I’m so thankful the Lord chose to answer the many prayers shared on her behalf, and thanks for the many of you that have prayed faithfully for her.

So…that’s our day. Thanks so much to all of you who called, emailed or texted to see how Gage’s day went. As always, it was such an encouragement to know we are not alone on this journey.

RH

The Next Chapter

The picture above is from the summit of Mount Rainier, where our friends climbed recently…and raised $12,000 for Team Holmes at Children’s in the process! What an amazing accomplishment and a sweet encouragement to us. A few guys from the group are coming over this weekend to show the kids more pictures from their trip…and also several of the tools they carried with them to make it to the summit. I know the kids will love it.

Sorry I’ve been so delinquent in posting this week. We’re full speed getting ready for back-to-school: backpacks, tennis shoes, clothes, fun magnetic stuff for lockers, etc. I know we all approach Monday with a mix of apprehension and excitement…and thankfulness. Although this year (and the next couple) will be full of challenges for Gage at school, many of the children we’ve met on this journey are not busy with back-to-school stuff right now and aren’t ready to return to school yet either. So, in addition to the daily challenges of leukemia in our home life and in all our relationships, we will add the combination of leukemia treatment (including continued daily chemotherapy) and elementary school.

I know this will certainly be the next chapter in this journey for me as I learn to navigate behind the scenes to help Gage at school. The list of issues will be long (his energy level, his ability to communicate his concerns with the adults he interacts with, his comfort around other kids, possible limits at gym time, his exposure to the germs in a school with 600+ kids…and on and on). Plus, we will obviously miss a bit of school in order to make our many clinic visits.

So, please join me in praying for this transition for Gage and our entire family. I know the Lord knows our concerns in even greater detail than I can explain them…and that He will be with us every step of the way. And, I know that He watches over Gage and cares for him even when he is away from us…a great comfort.

Thanks for checking in and for your prayers.

RH

Another week down…

Gage finished his last dose of steroids last night after an afternoon clinic visit to have his counts checked. We now do five days of steroids and the a three-day taper, where they decrease the dosage slowly. I think it’s helping some with how rough the days after the steroids had been before. To understand, think about how all you coffee-drinkers (like me) would feel if one morning you could have no coffee and no caffeine…ouch! To Gage’s body, the sudden removal of the steroids can cause a lot of pain, discomfort, etc….never good, especially after a week that’s always tough anyway.

And, as always, we have been fixated on food for the last week. Each round of steroids is usually a new craving, and this time it was bean & rolls from Bubbas and/or chicken fingers & saltine crackers from Cafe Express…one or the other for breakfast, lunch and dinner for days. There is nothing like re-heating leftover baked bean for breakfast morning after morning. Yuck.

Also, I’ve been meaning to share about a new adventure I’m involved in these days…training for the Nation’s Triathlon in Washington D.C. on September 14th with ten good friends, including two nurses from Children’s. We all signed up with Team in Training to train for the event and raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It’s been a great way to give back, and I’m anxiously awaiting race day when we will jump in the Potomac River for a one-mile swim, then bike 25 miles and then run 6 miles…both through our nation’s monuments. Certainly, it will be a day to remember. Just as special has been spending time with friends while training, such as the day pictured below when our team did its first open-water swim at a nearby lake:

Lastly, please pray for us as the first day of kindergarten is quickly approaching for Gage (the 25th). I know this will be the next chapter in our journey with him as we navigate elementary school with leukemia treatment that will last through second grade.

Thanks, as always, for your concern for our family and for your prayers for Laurren, Ryan & Ryan.

RH

A few requests

I have a few prayer requests to share today.

Our friend Laurren Smith received news on Monday that the chemotherapy for her lung cancer (that followed treatment for bone cancer) is not working as they had hoped. She has a spot on her right lung that they will have to watch carefully, and if it doesn’t respond soon to chemo, they will probably have to begin some type of experimental therapy. This is devastating news for their family, so please pray for them and for progress in the fight against Laurren’s cancer. You can read more here on their blog.

Our neighbors a few doors down have a son, Ryan Michael, who was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure last summer a few months after Gage was diagnosed. He has been on dialysis at home for 10 hours each night for the past year. This Thursday (the 7th), he will undergo surgery to receive a kidney transplant. Please pray for a successful surgery for he and the donor, Ryan Nixon, and that they kidney would work perfectly. Please also pray for the Michael family, as he will spend several weeks at Children’s as they monitor his new kidney and his body’s adjustment to it. You can look for updates on the Michael’s blog here. And, you can also read about the transplant from the perspective of Ryan Nixon and his wife Callie on their blog. Blake led a time of prayer last night attended by family, friends and neighbors for both the Michael & Nixon families. It was so encouraging to watch them proclaim their faith in God during this time. The picture below is from last night…

And, a picture of Scott & Ryan Michael (R) and Ryan Nixon (L) who will be donating his kidney…

As Ryan Nixon shared last night, he has been the recipient of great physical sacrifice because of his trust in Christ’s death on the cross…and he is motivated by his love for Christ to make this amazing sacrifice for Ryan Michael. It was a night that those there will not soon forget.

Lastly, Gage is on steroids this week after his long clinic day on Monday. So, although this request is small in comparison to the two above, please pray that he would not feel too crummy this week (his words)…and for wisdom and patience for everyone else at home as we live with the side effects he feels.

Thanks for checking in.

RH

Climbing Mount Rainier

For those of you who don’t live in Dallas (and those of you who do, but don’t get the Dallas Morning News), I wanted to let you know that we’re in the news today!

Click here to read the story about several friends of ours who are climbing Mount Rainier to raise funds for Team Holmes at Children’s as we fund the first full-time childlife specialist position for the inpatient onocology floor.

Galatians 6:2  “Bear one another’s burens…”

What another amazing and creative way those around us have loved and encouraged us on this journey. Thanks friends for bearing our burden, as well as the burden of those we have come to know also fighting cancer at Children’s. And, please pray for the safety of our friends as they are currently on their trip.

RH