Update from Elaine

While at times there are days that seem rather long and tedious on the cancer journey, God supplies far more days of joy, peace, fun, and unexpected surprises. God in His wisdom and perfect timing brings special things and people into our lives that redirect our focus from all the medical stuff to remembering that each day is a gift and one He intends for us to enjoy fully.

Today was one of those days where the medical routine seemed to fade in comparison to the special things that came our way making for a pretty terrific Tuesday.

The WOW of Kate's day came this afternoon with a surprise visit from Troy Polamalu. For our out of state friends or non NFL fans - Troy, #43 plays safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Troy often visits the oncology floor at Children's. Kate's friend Brandon and his Mom were here for a visit after Brandon's clinic appt. So both Kate and Brandon got to enjoy this special visit with Troy. Troy came to Kate's room and visited with us for about 40 minutes. We were struck by his humble, quiet, gentle and gracious spirit. We talked about faith, family, football, history, China, and he remembered Riverside High School as being way out there off of Route 79 when he and fellow Steelers came to play the faculty in a basketball game last winter. The visit was truly a delight for all of us!

The WOW of my day was a layered German chocolate cake:) The neuro-oncology social worker stops by to visit most days. We have learned over the past two years that Paul is a great resource for good places to eat in the hospital vicinity and that he and Kate share a love of American history, particularly the Civil War. Paul asks daily if there is anything we need and I jokingly replied a piece of chocolate cake. Much to my surprise and to the delight of my craving for chocolate, he delivered a beautiful chocolate cake from a good bakery in town:)

Kate finished her day spending the evening with one of her good friends. The girls enjoyed hanging out, looking at a magazine of prom dresses and watching a movie. We are thankful for wonderful friends and the fact that normal teenage girl stuff can still be enjoyed in the midst of IV poles and hospital routine:)

Oh yes, in the midst of all the special events of today, the medical routine quietly marched on in the back ground. Praise for another climb in the WBC count to 6.1 with an ANC of 5,063!! Somewhere prior to Brandon and Troy's visit Kate received another transfusion of platelets. Kate's doctor checked in on her this morning and told us Kate's next admission would delayed by two weeks. We are thankful for this time of rest before the next stem cell transplant. What a gift it was today to have all the medical things fade into the back ground, while fun, friends and special things dominated our day! Praise for the good things both large and small that God brings our way each day!

Please continue to pray with us for increased appetite, and real progress healing of the mucositis and fading of the allergic reaction skin rash. Each day gets a little better and we see evidences of Kate improving and that is encouraging. Thank you for carrying us through another day with your prayers.

We rest in knowing God's mercies are new each morning and His grace knows no end!

With joy,
Elaine