Waiting... Day 138 30MAR09

The morning started like any other. Except Joshua had a fever of 101.2. Yesterday was apparently a harbinger of today.

Renee packed while I got breakfast for Joshua. He managed to enjoy it for about ten minutes before it decided to come back up. So begins another chapter in our gypsy saga. But hey, at least we had six days at home this time. That is one more than the last cycle.

Joshua got admitted right away and the battery of tests has begun. Blood cultures, urinalysis, stool cultures, throat cultures, cultures from distant galaxies, and a chest x-ray.

His CBC came back really good. ANC at 4045, platelets 190, hemoglobin good. Nothing to sneeze at, except you aren't allowed to sneeze around Josh. Much bad juju in sneezes. Some of the tests have already come back negative, others are still pending. This is a repeat of the events a few weeks back. Fever, no specific cause, etc...

Joshua took the fact that he was going back in stride. He was a little disappointed but quickly got over it. He is remarkably adaptable and manages to weather these changes admirably. I think we are all getting more adept but it is still painful and unsettling. Our world can shift so quickly.

Here is a special picture for Nonna on her birthday. This smile is just for you.

Joshua wishes you a great birthday and he misses you.

This evening he was resting comfortably. Only took a little nap today. The long sleep seems to be over. Whatever his brain needed to take care of it has apparently had enough down time to get it accomplished. The real reason for somnolent episodes is unknown. His appetite is good. I took a bunch of food this afternoon for him to eat while he is gone. One less thing to worry about for now.

Renee was reading to Joshua this evening and he liked a piece of scripture that he heard. He asked that I share it with you. It comes form the book of Joshua, Chapter 1 Verse 9: Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

So now we wait, again.

We wait for some result that will give us a clue or an insight.

We wait and hope that Joshua will make it home by Saturday so he can celebrate his seventh birthday at home. It would be nice if we could manage to catch one holiday here.

We wait for his chemo to get back on track. He has stalled out again.

We wait to be reunited.

We wait.

In the meantime we fight to keep the darkness and fear at bay. Relegated to the edges. Never far away. Always waiting.

Waiting.