Update

We are thankful for all those who have been praying for us. These are very difficult days for our entire family. The stress is weighing heavy on us all. Jim continues to receive chemo on an out-patient basis each time he undergoes a lumbar puncture. These procedures are scheduled every Tuesday and Friday until the spinal fluid comes back clear. He is feeling the side effects of the chemo and has not been very comfortable over the past several days. His energy is low and he continues to have headaches, muscle aches and generally feels lousy. It has been difficult for me to manage our home and children and doctor appointments, etc. and to see Jim feeling so low. Steven and Kyle are both feeling better and have returned to school. Steven will follow-up with his pulmonologist tomorrow.

Jim had an appointment for a blood draw and to meet with the nurse practitioner yesterday. We were told that his spinal fluid is still not clear yet, and that we will continue with the lumbar punctures / chemotherapy until it is. I asked if it was troublesome to them that the spinal fluid wasn’t clear yet. The doctor sent the answer back that he has never seen the central nervous system NOT clear. We just need to remain patient and continue on with the procedures. This was comforting to us.

We have not heard from the University of Michigan yet, although the nurse coordinator from IU Med Center has contacted us and said he would follow up with U of M.

Here’s how your can pray:

- Pray that Jim would be completely healed of this disease.
- Pray for our children as they try to continue on with school and their activities all while seeing their Dad feeling so badly.
- Pray for strength and peace for me as I do my best to manage our family under these difficult circumstances. Each day weighs heavy on me.
- Pray that Jim’s central nervous system would clear and we could move on toward transplant.
- Pray that the way would be clear for us to go to the University of Michigan or wherever God wants Jim to be.
- Thank God for what He is doing in our lives, and pray that He would be glorified as we continue this battle.

Thank you again for all your cards and words of encouragement. Thank you for your prayers and meals and help to our family. Not a day goes by without tears being shed as we are finding ourselves in such a difficult place. We pray for God’s mercy that is new every morning and peace that passes all understanding. We continue to place our trust in Him.