The Glass

This is one of those weeks where we have to decide if the glass is half full or half empty. During the Thanksgiving break, Gage is on steroids. For those following along, he was on steroids the week of his birthday and Halloween…plus this week…and then a spinal tap/steroid week starting Dec. 22 before Christmas.

So, is it just rotten that all these fun weeks are spoiled to some degree by how crummy the extra chemo makes him feel? Yes. But, the ‘glass half full’ perspective reminds me that he also gets to spend much of these weeks with us…where we can love on him, comfort him and help him…instead of juggling steroids with school (and its academic and social demands). And, Blake and I can skip a week of navigating the parental decisions that come with sending Gage to school during the harder weeks of his treatment.

So, even though the cancer creeps even further into daily life during these weeks, I am glad that he is with us throughout each day. And, I’m glad that there are fun activities and distractions that help make the days at least a little easier for him.

And, compared to last fall (when we spent practically every holiday & birthday in the hospital), the glass is definitely half full this year.

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy the blessings the Lord has given to you. Thanks for continuing to pray for and encourage us. You all continue to be one of the Lord’s greatest blessings to us on this journey…and we are thankful.

I Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

RH

(A quick postscript: Gage woke up early this morning (Thanksgiving) craving chocolate chip pancakes from “the pancake place.” So, Blake and Gage loaded up a little before 7:00 a.m. and headed for IHOP here in Nacogdoches…and it was open! And yummy pancakes were enjoyed by all…)

Encouraging Words

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. I’ve had a hard time deciding what to share, and by the time I gather my thoughts and sit down to update, things change…and what I thought I would share is already outdated! Life continues at a busy pace in our home with both small victories and constant challenges.

This morning, I read today’s devotional in the book Streams in the Desert, and the words so perfectly described how life feels right now that I thought I would borrow their words:

Blessed is he, whoever shall not be offended in me (Luke 7:23)

It is sometimes very difficult not to be offended in Jesus Christ, for the offense may be the result of my circumstances. I may find myself confined to narrow areas of service, or isolated from others through sickness or by taking an unpopular stance, when I had hoped for much wider opportunities. Yet the Lord knows what is best for me, and my surroundings are determined by Him. Wherever He places me, He does so to strengthen my faith and power and to draw me into closer communion with Himself. And even if confined to a dungeon, my soul will prosper.

I’ve certainly never thought of that verse in the context above, but the words of the devotional along with my recent reading about the sufferings of the Apostle Paul while in prison were a great encouragement. As each day unfolds unpredictably based on how Gage and our girls are doing, I sometimes feel frustrated that I can’t plan more in advance, have more time to serve others or enjoy the elusive freedom that those around me seem to enjoy. I feel like I race through each day trying to meet endless needs and then wonder if I spent my time well…even while questioning how much choice I really had in what I spent my time doing. The words above were a great reminder that my surroundings are determined by Him and that He knows what is best for me. Even more so, that even if I at times feel confined to the “dungeon” of cancer in our family, my soul can still prosper.

Gage’s health continues to have it’s ups and downs. Some days are certainly better than others. Please pray that he would have the endurance he needs for school each day and that he would enjoy this week before we begin steroids again on Monday. (Yes, it’s already time again.)

Thanks for continuing to walk this road with us.

RH

The ‘Fund’ Run

Today, we spent our morning with the high school wrestling team as they held their 5-mile “Fund Run” to raise money Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in Gage’s honor. The local firefighters came to kick off the race and then let Avery, Gage & Ellie ride with them in the firetruck along part of the race course and back to the picnic. Our kids all enjoyed playing with the guys on the wrestling team and seeing their PE coach (who is also the varsity wrestling coach). Many of the wrestler’s parents were kind to ask about Gage, kindergarten and his treatment plan. As I said ‘thanks’ to the many people I talked to, I shared that times when others reach out and give are some of the sweetest spots on this journey and help offset the darkness of the hard days.

Here are a few pics:

Look closely…we’re all in this one…a rare moment! Avery & Gage are on the left with Coach Warren and Blake & I are on the right with Ellie & Wesley.

At the end of the picnic, the wrestlers announced that they raised $5,000 to be donated to the LLS. Amazing! Donations to the LLS fund medical research and patient services for families like ours…and are a major reason the doctors are optimistic that they can treat Gage successfully. When Blake and I were kids, the outcome would not have been the same, and new developments in treatment are the reason why.

So, thanks to Coach Warren, the wrestling team and their families. Our family loved today, the kids had a ball and the money makes a difference.  Thanks for choosing to support us through your outreach today.

RH

Wrestler for a Day

On Saturday, our high school wrestling team is running a 5 mile run to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Gage’s honor. The head wrestling coach at the high school spends each morning at Gage’s elementary school helping out with gym, and he and Gage have developed a special relationship. So, Gage is thrilled to hang out with Coach Warren and the wrestling team on Saturday as they run their race. I’m sure I’ll post pictures from the event, but here are a few from last week when Gage went to meet the team.

If you want to come cheer on the guys as they run, here are the details:

Run at 11 a.m. at Curtis Park (Kick off from 10:45-11:00 a.m. at Dickens St. side of UP Elementary)

Picnic at Noon also at Curtis Park

I’m sure it will be a special day for our family. It’s also yet another thoughtful, creative, generous way people have reached out to love and support our family as Gage battles leukemia. Thanks for the encouragement that you are to us!

RH

Halloween

After a week that included Avery & Gage’s birthdays, Pumpkin Day at school and Halloween, I am finally catching up enough to post a few pictures…

A word on the costumes: Avery was a Ninja Warrior, Gage was Wolverine, Ellie was Pink Wonder Woman and Wesley was SuperGirl.  So fun!

As we walked down the block, I thought about this Halloween vs. last Halloween. Although I’ll never forget last year and our magical walk down the street in mid-November (read about it here), I think I’ll take the “Plain Jane” Halloween on October 31st!

Thanks for continuing to pray for Gage. He finished his week of steroids yesterday, so hopefully we’ll be more rested, less hungry and less emotional soon. We so appreciate your prayers during all the ups and downs.

RH