November 6, 2021

We're home again! Yesterday Lucy got a blood transfusion and a platelet infusion as her counts were extremely low. They were so low before we went in she was getting the petechiae rash again that indicates low platelets. It was that type of rash that first alerted us she had cancer. I'm so thankful that when she is so low we are able to just tank her up again. It makes me so grateful to all the people who have donated blood, platelets, plasma etc. After a long 7 hours in the hospital I packed the van and we headed up the hill. I was so thankful God gave us good traffic for the trip up. As it was we didn't get home till after 9pm. Thankfully, as long as Lucy doesn't get a fever, we can stay here until Monday. Lucy has a doctor's appointment Tuesday and then another on Friday. I'm so glad we get to be up here. I'm hoping it can be restful and restorative for all of us. I know I need it. I am running on empty these days. Thankfully Lucy's rash has mostly resolved. She still has some small scabs from bug bites or small scratches. It's a problem because she will scratch the scabs off and then they bleed a lot because she has so few platelets. The worst part is that can be an entry point for bacteria which she can't fight off because she has no white blood cells. And she doesn't like wearing bandaids because her skin is so sensitive right now. I look forward to the days when a small scratch is no longer a big deal.

We are so thankful that we have a short chemo plan. The two years or more that so many have to battle through is nearly unimaginable to me. I guess they get through it the same we are getting through this: one day at a time. And definitely with lots of prayer and encouragement from amazing people like all of you. We are hoping to plan something small for Lucy's birthday but we are very restricted because of concerns about germs. Please pray with us that we can find a way to celebrate Lucy while still keeping her safe. If her white blood cell count could just come jumping back up in the next week, that would help a lot.

One thing that helps that process is the shots I give her every morning. Unfortunately, the specialty pharmacy we have to order them through has been having trouble delivering them. They missed their delivery yesterday even though three people were at the house waiting. We've joked we will just have to camp out in the driveway from now on to catch them. If the shots aren't delivered today, we will run out before more are delivered on Monday. Please pray the can get here today. Thank you all again for everything! We feel so loved and so supported by all of you. Prayer needs: - For protection for Lucy during this break - For her numbers to rise again quickly - For her shots to arrive and for the neupogen to be effective - For Lucy to continue to be brave and strong and for her to have peace and comfort when she is scared - For rest and restoration for me and everyone else helping with this battle - For strength for me to have patience and grace with others even when I am drained - For us to keep our eyes on Christ through these struggles and to be witnesses for Him wherever we go