Day of Healing

Today we have had a day of healing. Dave has healed so nicely today and even felt like getting in the floor and playing with Hope with all of our new toys:) They actually fought over a toy and we all just smiled!! For once I relished the sound of sibling fights over a toy. Praise to you Lord!! A week or two I would have been annoyed at having to referee, but today this Momma loved it:) A week in this place drastically changes your outlook on life.

A little Lego action:)

These two best friends have certainly missed each other. It has been busy here in Party Central today but we have really enjoyed having Kyle and Hope here. Tonight Mike and Kyle snuck out to the UVA basketball game to get a little fresh air. Tomorrow I hope to take Kyle and Hope out to lunch. We are trying to spend time with them while we are still here nursing Dave back to health. Because the next two weeks are going to be grueling with radiation and chemo and we have to be here for David and they have to go back, then we are enjoying our time together.

These brothers have certainly enjoyed some quiet moments together.

Giggling and smiles in DAvid's bed. It has taken Hope a day or two to warm up to this hospital setting, but now she looks beyond the tubes, beeps, and strange nurses and climbs up in the bed to play with her best friend. They are snuggled right now watching Beauty and the Beast (again).

I love this picture so much:) Watching the love between our children today has helped heal our sadness and help us forget about what we have facing us. Mike and I both had a down day yesterday and today we have just smiled watching our children interact and enjoy.

Speaking of visits, THREE of David's teachers came down to see him today. We were so touched that they love David enough to drive here to see him. Here is David with Mr. Nutter:) David of course had to wear his hat for the picture! Ha!

It is so hard to be sad here. We are scared, worried, anxious about the upcoming treatments, and overall exhausted, but it is so hard to stay down now that DAvid is back to his silly self. He constantly makes us laugh and it is so awesome to see his stubborn side come out. He is in great shape considering the major surgery he just had 7 days ago. The lymphatic fluid tube is out, he has been drinking enough today to stay unplugged from his IV and he is not on any constant monitors. He is unplugged and able to get up and play. This has healed our sorrow so much to see him active, playing, and happy. He was SO happy to see his teachers today.

Miss Alley and Mrs. Hubble came down today for a visit. It was so wonderful to see DAvid light up when they walked in. These ladies are awesome and we all love them.

We were so touched and appreciative of their visit today. It is so healing to our hearts to remember through our visits from home how loved this boy is and how many people are praying for him. Visitors from home tell us stories of how many prayer lists David is on and how many people are sporting the David buttons. This heals our hearts to remember that we are not alone. God is always with us and is truly comforting us during this nightmare, and you, our prayer warriors, are uplifting our family with prayers. Just know dear friends, that we feel your love and that we know without a shadow of doubt that God is with us. We feel his presence with us and we know that He will never leave us to walk this scary journey alone.

Miss Alley and David playing a silly IPod game:) She is such a special soul.

Tena Hubble is another special teacher. She had Kyle for first grade and now this is her second year with David. We adore her sweet spirit and we are so thankful that she and Miss Alley hopped in the car for a trip to see our Rock Star. Just thinking about it makes me bawl.

Ashley and Jason also have been with us for the last two days. They came down Thanksgiving Day and left this afternoon. We miss them when they are not here because not only does David adore them but they keep us straight. Mike and I are so overwhelmed that we are not thinking straight. Jason has had to text me the code to the RMH house because I keep forgetting it. They are the brains behind this operation and we are so appreciative of them.

So today has been a wonderful day of healing. We are trying to not be anxious about the next two weeks of grueling chemo and radiation for our Rock Star. Here are our specific prayer requests:

That David's cancer responds to the chemo. Just visualize those circles of cancer on his lungs melting away.

Pray that the radiation zaps any stray cancer cells in his abdomen so we do not have to face this Goliath again.

Pray that he handles the chemo well. After being educated about the side effects it is so easy to fall into the fear traps, but we are remaining faithful here in PArty Central. We have sat through several education sessions where we are educated on the side effects of chemo and they are so scary. But then sadly you must go through with the treatment to get into remission.

Thanks dear prayer warriors. We love you so much and we are so appreciative of your prayers sustaining us.

Party Central Update:)

It is a beautiful day in Charlottesville and we are enjoying the sunshine here in Party Central. Mr. Rock Star had a rough night due to the cheeseburger he had yesterday. Maybe that was not the best choice for his first meal:) I think he threw up big time last night:( The boys (Mike, Kyle, an David) had a hospital sleepover and us girls had a sleepover at the Ronald McDonald house. Today we are going to stick to a more bland diet:)

The big news here is that the lymphatic fluid stopped enough and they pulled that drain out!! It was not hurting him, but it was a pain to deal with during PT sessions and clothes changing. That is good news:)

This weekend we are just letting him heal from surgery and resting up. As of now we think he will start his first round of chemo on Monday. Chemo will be once a week for six weeks. Radiation will start next Thursday and will be 6 or 7 sessions in a row. He will probably have a session next Thursday and Friday, and then each day the following week. I am at peace with this now because I just have to trust that this radiation is all in God's plan.

We are trusting in God's plan knowing that he has this whole situation in the palm of his hand. We are doing well here. Mike and I both were a little down yesterday but we did try to get out a little while we had so much help here to shop for the kiddos for Christmas.

I just pray that God is using this nightmare to draw us all closer to him.It thrills us all so much how many friends and family are approaching the Throne of Grace on David's behalf:)

We are just resting up and praying up for our first round of battle again Goliath next week. We are very anxious to see how Rock Star is going to handle the chemo. The doctors have very clearly gone over all the side effects with us and as firghtening as they are, we have no choice. Chemo and radiation are the sling shot to take down this Goliath. So please specifically pray that David is one of those folks that can handle chemo and radiation well and that his cancer does not spread any further.

Much love to you all and prayer warriors get ready to pray this Rock Star through Chemo and Radiation:)

Turkey Day

Despite the circumstances we have really had a good day. GG, Pops, and Hope came down to visit as well as Ashley and Jason.

The remote control car has been a hit with us all. It has made David get up and be active!

A group walk through 7 Central. Our meal consisted of whatever the cafeteria was serving but Mr. Rock STar had a cheeseburger and fries:)

Pops and David having a sweet moment in the hallway. These two have a sweet and special bond.

Now that he can eat regular food and play with both of his siblings he is such a happy clam:) We just got the word that the lymphatic fluid has slowed enough and that the tube can come out tomorrow!!!:) Praise God!! We are so thrilled the fluid has stopped and we are tired of fooling with that drainage bulb.

It has been a happy sibling reunion today. Kyle has not seen Hope in several days and it has been so fun to watch them interact.

These are two of David's very favorite people!!! Thanks for the love Ashley and Jason:)

Have I said lately how amazing Kyle has been? He gives David medicine, gives him his drinks, makes him get up and play, and just loves his baby brother.

I love this picture of my sweet boys.

His spunk his back and that makes this Momma so happy:) We love you Rock Star!!

That mischevious grin is back and we love it. He is so rotten:)

Our friends, The Johnsons sent David a Hokie hat that is signed by Frank Beamer! He is going to wear it Saturday when the Hokie Bird shows up!

Snuggled on the bed watching Beauty and the Beast:) Tonight we are thrilled that we are all here together. Kyle and Hope are going to stay here with us until Sunday when they are going back to Marion with my Mom.

I cannot take credit for this sweet picture-Jason got it on my camera and I love it!!!

I want to frame this picture of Pops and David holding hands. These two have a special little bond:)

Can't you just feel the love? We really have had a good day today. Mike and I even stepped out for a little bit this evening to do some Christmas shopping for the kiddos. It felt weird to be out shopping just for a bit, but we knew that David was in good hands.

So today on Thanksgiving Day we are certainly not where he had planned to be. But regardless of where we are we can still love on our loved ones and take time to be thankful for the MANY blessings that theLord has showered upon our family. We are thankful to you, our prayer warriors for praying us through this past week. We are thankful for David for entertaning us and making us smile even through our tears, and for our Lord who is sustaining us each and every moment here in 7 Central.