Stanford Bound

We had to stop treatment AGAIN yesterday because Nathan's numbers are too low to finish the cycle. He has yet to finish a single cycle of treatment with all the required meds. Last week, his oncology nurse said to Nathan, "You are really atypical. Normally this treatment works fast and people feel better pretty quickly, but that's not the case with you." Ugh. That's not what you want to hear when dealing with cancer. But, she's not wrong. Things aren't going well. With Nathan's last hospitalization we decided that he needs to see a myeloma specialist (someone that deals with myeloma day in and day out). So, we are headed to Stanford for a doctors appointment on Tuesday to see Dr. Iberri. We are super excited to get there and have an expert look at Nathan and all of his tests and numbers to see if there's another direction we need to go. We are praying that Dr. Iberri has seen someone with myeloma that has reacted to treatment in a similar way as Nathan and will say, "This isn't working, but I believe I know something that will!" This is no doubt frustrating and maddening. There was supposed to be a clear and easy plan that would "fix" him. He would be able to still teach. He would be able to walk. To drive. To do all the things. But, that's not the case. Someone asked Nathan how his soul was doing the other day. It's a great question. He's a slow processor, so he ponders these types of questions deeply. Last night he said, "The cool thing is that if someone asked me how I was feeling, I would have a whole big mix of things to say and explain. But, he asked how my soul was doing. And the really cool thing is that the status of my soul never changes. It's always secure in Christ. That never changes." A lot of things can change (and a lot of things have changed), but we remain in Christ where there is only love, peace, joy, salvation, and true life. And that NEVER changes. "If there be anything that can render the soul calm, dissipate its scruples and dispel its fears, sweeten its sufferings by the anointing of love, impart strength to all its actions, and spread abroad the joy of the Holy Spirit in its countenance and words, it is this simple and childlike repose in the arms of God" S.D. Gordon Prayer Requests: *Please pray for the trip to Stanford. Safe (and comfortable for Nathan) travels. Comfortable sleep for Nathan in the hotel Monday night (he hasn't slept in a bed in a VERY long time). That the doctor would see Nathan's journey thus far and have a plan moving forward. *Please pray for the treatment to be effective. Pray that God would heal him even if the medical community says it's not possible. Nathan's school is fasting and praying that Nathan would be healed by Thanksgiving. Pray that with us! *Pray for our family. God knows the many needs of each of his children, so please pray that those needs would be met during this time. Thank you once again for all of the texts, messages, meals, financial support, help with kids, hugs, gift cards, visits, and everything else that I may have forgotten! We've been so blessed by your kindness and generosity! THANK YOU!!