Caelan Back in the Hospital
For those of you keeping up with Caelan, he is fine. We came back from the hospital yesterday after his port surgery and first round of chemotherapy. We were looking forward to a somewhat normal week, and, before you know it, he was running a fever of almost 102. Erika had to go back to Birmingham with him for blood tests and they ended up keeping them overnight. Today, he is having another scheduled bone scan (routine), and a blood transfusion (also routine, or so they say - it doesn't sound very routine to me). His fever is back down and he is doing very well. Anyway, our first week of this has not been easy. Erika and I keep telling each other that this is the new normal, so just get used to it. We're trying, but I don't think you get used to this easily.
They should be coming home tonight - yeah! Tomorrow, probably I will blog about something else - I promise. I am preaching on the Da Vinci Code this Sunday (actually, I'm preaching on the Bible, but I'm going to use the Da Vinci Code as a point of reference concerning the chasing after other gods and philosophies and how this is nothing new. I'll be talking about how we can be prepared to answer these questions that come our way. So, I might blog on that tomorrow. We'll see. Hopefully, we'll be hospital free the rest of the week!
Don't stop blogging about Caelan. We want to hear how he is doing. What a little trooper!!! God must have big plans for that kid.
Your family continues to be in our prayers.
We would also appreciate prayers for some friends of ours, Travis and Susan. They just found out that Susan has breast cancer, and will have a masectomy on May 31. Their kids are only 8 and 6. Their first son, Conner, was born with an inoperable tumor on his liver. There was nothing doctors could do. He passed away in his mother's arms.
They are also in ministry. Sometimes I don't understand why God allows such tough trials in the lives of those who have given their all to serve him.
Posted by: Kiki | May 17, 2006 at 12:29 PM
Thank you, Kiki, for sharing that. Your friends will surely be in my prayers. I'm afraid that I used to say that I would pray for people, and while I would pray, I wouldn't always have as much empathy as I could. That is probably true for all of us. Well, God is changing that. I'll definitely pray for them.
Posted by: Alan Cross | May 17, 2006 at 03:39 PM
Sorry to hear about the fever. I just prayed for Caelan and your family.
Posted by: Kevin Bussey | May 17, 2006 at 04:07 PM
Hi Alan. Yes, welcome to the "new normal". Fevers are the most common side effect from chemo. Just praise the Lord when the fevers are not a result of any infections! Well, praise Him anyway, but, you know what I mean! Frequent trips to the clinic/4 Tower are part of the way you will be connected with your new extended family at Children's. Caelan will get so used to being there, he will actually enjoy it - eventually :)
We are praying for you as you hang in there. It does get easier, I promise! Six months from now, you will all be pros at the ins & outs of chemo and neutropenia. I am so very happy for you all that the tumor was completely removed. That is a very promising start to treatment.
I am looking forward to your view on the book/movie. I have been browsing Kevin's and other's blogs but I have yet to form a strong opinion on all points and cannot argue my non-opinion, which is frustrating! :p
Take care - hope to see you in person again soon!
Love,
Tammy & Colette
www.caringbridge.com/al/colette
Posted by: Tammy Pate | May 17, 2006 at 09:31 PM