Hello friends and family! We find ourselves here at home on Sunday night grateful to be together as a family after a long, hard week. Michaela was hospitalized a week ago with severe dehydration and fatigue. Throughout the week at the hospital she had to endure the placement of a permanent feeding tube (which we will continue to maintain at home 24/7 because she is unable to eat), new IV antibiotics due to an unknown infection she developed in the hospital, and insulin injections to counter-act high blood-sugar levels as a result of some of her chemotherapy drugs. Other complications arose as her blood counts were unaccountably low and the doctors brought in new teams to try and solve problems that perplexed them. She was so strong this week, even as her parents faltered quite often. It was a tough week for us as Jon took the night shift in the hospital and Tiffany took the day shift with baby Emily and big sis Madeline, we had hard conversations with the doctors about her care, and we watched our sweet girl get sicker and sicker throughout the week.
Despite the challenges of the week, we have much to be thankful for. We are grateful to Cathy and Gary (Tiffany's mom and step-dad) for their constant care as they have moved into our home to help us. We are happy that Michaela is well enough to be home again in spite of unexpected complications. We feel closer as a family for having walked through a very scary week together and loved each other through it. We met new friends along the way, including Maddy -- Michaela's 6-year old hospital roommate with bone cancer who had to leave half her family in Alaska 6 months ago to come to Seattle for treatment. And we are certain beyond any doubt that God's light continues to shine in the darkness.
Thank you for your continued prayers for Michaela and our family! We are so grateful to you all.
