The Plain Jane Diaries

N is officially in remission! Praise God! Yesterday, we got confirmation that N has no detectable cancer cells in his body. This gives us the green light to proceed into transplant phase, and until then, we will continue giving him chemo as we have been up until the week prior to admission. Today, I have been overwhelmed with gratitude, relief, and a little bit of emotional exhaustion. As I go about my day frantically getting through my to-do list in my sporadic "down" time of an hour here, an hour there, my eyes continually well with tears as I think about the mercy God has shown me on this journey, and how much I hear Him saying to me on a daily basis, "I am with you. I am here." But my gratitude is coupled with so much heartache because for my sweet son, I can tell that the marathon is feeling a little long at this point. The limitations, the resurgence of body aches after every clinic visit, the bruises that almost completely cover both his thighs from the i...

It's Friday! There was a time in my life that I desperately looked forward to the times the boys were in school, but now I look forward to the weekends that I get to have all of them home and together. This past week, N's counts were up again and we were able to administer his chemo. However, we also gave him his flu shot in clinic... and boy did that make him feel crummy. I know sometimes the flu shot can make me feel a little icky afterwards, so I cannot imagine how it must affect the body when the immune system is compromised AND you have chemo pumping through your body. The doctors say that it's worth it for him to get it, and in fact strongly insisted that he should. The flu is THAT terrible! Both times I had it in my life were memorable to say the least. This year, I felt fine after my flu shot thankfully so hopefully you will too! I will also share that Target gives flu shots for free and they give you a $5 gift card for getting it there. Yes, I do plan on using th...

It has now been a full 7 days since middle brother's bout with the stomach bug, and N continues to show no signs of having caught it. If you're reading this, then I know you're doing so because you're thinking of N, and praying for him. And so I thank you from the depths of my heart for covering our baby in prayers, because without a doubt, I know that prayers are being heard and answered. I read a blurb this morning from Tim and Kathy Keller that said, "While sin blocks our relationship with God, suffering can deepen it." In Corinthians 12:9 it says, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." This morning I was reflecting on the fact that in the past month and a half or so, every single person in our family has been ill, including myself. I think I buckled under the stress and my health started to give, then dear hubby got it, and then 2 brothers passed the stomach bug from school to one another. Miraculously, though, our one chi...

Labor Day weekend is behind us, which means the school year and routines are well under way. I know it's cliche to say, but honestly, where DOES the time go? 😩 At Clinic this morning, we found that N's counts were a little too low. We couldn't get his next dosage of the weekly chemo because the doctor didn't want to tank him too low and risk it taking even longer for his counts to bounce back. Once I told the doctor that his brothers at home had gotten over stomach bugs recently, it confirmed for him even more that we should hold off on his next dosage. Another dosage would undoubtedly mean further weakening his immune system thus making him more susceptible to catching the bug that seems to be lurking in our house! That's right, folks. W spent last Tuesday night puking his heart out, and then L spent Labor Day hugging the toilet. Which means I spent a lot of time with Clorox wipes at 4 am. You'd be amazed at how productive cleaning skills can get at 4 ...