Thankfully the cleaning up is NOT vomit!
William started chemotherapy Monday night. He is doing well today and is not experiencing any ill side effects at the moment with the nausea under control. He is receiving continuous intravenous chemo infusions for 3 day. His appetite increased ever so slightly today. He refused the unseasoned, unbuttered, cooked carrots and fish sticks that the hospital brought him and opted for the french fries and chocolate shake from Lisa and James. What a smart boy I have! However, I did insist William drink his 6oz. chocolate protein drink. (YUCK---because I did taste it!)
Today we cleaned up. We stabilized our emotions, wiped our tears, and started rebuilding our courage. It's going to be a long, hard battle, but we can handle it. We have to and we will.
A family from church stopped by today to bring a cheery poster from all the primary children with photos and well wishes. McCall shared a scripture on the poster that brought comfort today. "The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Exodus 14:14
Another one I was reminded of today is Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
Our faith is strong and we know that we are being watched over and carried in our hardest moments. We've reflected on various recent impressions and events that have strengthened us for this journey before we even knew we were on it.
The basic outline of William's treatment is 3 phases.
Phase 1:
6 cycles of high dose chemotherapy
Bone marrow harvesting
Surgery to remove the shrunken tumor
Phase 2:
1 cycle very aggressive, high dose chemotherapy
Bone marrow transplant
Phase 3:
Radiation
Differentiating therapy
The entire process is estimated to take up to 9 months.
So we're taking lots of deep breaths, preferably in fresh air, and taking one day at a time because that's about all we can wrap our head around at the moment and all we can control.
And if the vomit starts, I'm glad I haven't replaced the lovely pale pink carpet that we inherited with the purchase of our home 2 years ago!
You guys are awesome. And having a plan always makes anything & everything a little bit easier to manage. I am totally lame and nitpicky so Williams package will me on it's way tomorrow... Wish we could do more! I could not think of a better use for pink carpet! Will they let you bring some into the hospital for emergencies??? We love you. Give William a hug for us. Tristin picked out some great surprises for William and said many prayers for him today. Call ifyou need us. We're just a "short" drive away and will be there as fast as we could. Bigggggg huggggs!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing those scriptures tonight. You strengthened my faith. We are, as always, praying for William and know that the Lord will fight for him. Our God is a God of miracles.
ReplyDeleteLove, Khristine Pettingill
A little anecdote of encouragement: Julie, your cousin Dave P. never did throw up with his chemo, and he was told that one ingredient in his "cocktail" was "THE MOST nauseating substance ever." The anti-nausea drugs these days are GOOD! We love you, we pray for you, we think of you many times every day. xoxox
ReplyDeleteJust thinking.... would a vanilla protein shake with some Hershey's chocolate syrup or Nestle Quik taste any better????? Maybe! :-)
ReplyDeleteYour strength is amazing. The Lord is carrying you already. I'm so glad William is tollerating the Chemo so far. We are praying for him and our girls are wondering who we are praying for. We wish you all the best in these next 9 months. We will be thinking of you- I can't get you guys out of my mind since I heard- and praying for you.
ReplyDeleteMuch Love- The Cox's (Brady & Audrey)
Ryan & Julie,
ReplyDeleteWe just want you to know that Jason & I are praying for sweet little William and your family.
-Jason & Angie Overbaugh
Poor William. We are thinking so hard about him, and all of you, every day. We are just hoping and waiting for the day when he will be back out on the trampoline with Elizabeth and Caitlin and all the younger boys. In just one week, Randy is leaving for a cross-county bike ride (planned months ago) for team-will.org, a foundation for children's cancer research. He will be riding with William in his heart.
ReplyDeletei'm so glad you're getting set up on the helping hand website. it's a really really fabulous system. a bunch of friends around here were able to help our friend all along the way through her chemo and taking care of her 3 kids, dinners, carpools, cleaning etc. every one wanted to help and it was so well organized every one got the chance to serve, which was what we all were wanting so badly to do.
ReplyDeletewe love you. you're in every thought and prayer! here's a scripture that i love...
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
That last scripture is great. Now I know that the times my fear was up and sound mind was down, where that came from...NOT GOD :) I'v had my own "human"(carnal) moments. They can be a good reminder to turn to God. You are a great example of looking to God.
ReplyDeleteWhen the boys were here swimming, Soren said the lunch prayer that we would "be brave". I see where that prayer came from and I see it being answered. You guys are amazing. The strength I see in you makes me want to be better too. Thanks for including us on this difficult journey and letting us all see how faith endures!
Oh Murdocks, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your sweet little guy as you face this difficult time! I know a children's literature nerd in Las Vegas who would love to send William some books and/or audio books if he would be interested! Let me know, and also what kinds of things he likes to read. When things settle down a bit, let me know if there's a good time for me to come for a weekend visit. Sending lots of love to all of you!!
ReplyDelete<3
~Amy
THanks for showing us all it is possible to be positive during such trying times.
ReplyDeleteWe are so grateful for your examples of faith and courage. We think about you daily and pray and fast for you. We're really looking forward to the helping hands website. Thank you so much for keeping us up to date with the blog. We love you!
ReplyDeleteDon, Amy & family
Smart move on the carpet. We love you all!
ReplyDeleteLove,
JBB
Hi Julie, this is Chelsea Pratt (Rich and Paige's sister-in-law). Just wanted to let you know that we are keeping William and your family in our prayers. Julie, your blog is truly inspirational and it's true, your faith is very strong. I know we don't know each other but I am sending all of my love and good wishes your way. You are amazing and will get through this.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are incredible. Thinking of you and praying for you. A favorite of mine (our mission scripture) D&C 123:17. Love, love you!
ReplyDeleteYou are one tough lady Julie! Glad to hear there is a plan of action. You guys are amazing!
ReplyDeleteI just saw your link to this on your facebook page. How I missed it before now, I don't know. It sounds like William has been so brave. Praying for you guys!
ReplyDeleteJulie, Those Scriptures touched my heart in a way I can't even explain. I think of you and your amazing strength. I think of William every minute as well as you and Ryan. Gage and Brock pray for him every morning, every night and at every meal. We all are
ReplyDeleteWe love you all so much.
Hi Ryan and Julie - We are amazed but not surprised at your amazing strength. We will keep up through your blog and our thoughts and many prayers for all of you will be foremost in our mind. I loved your mom's comment when she said this is not a "trial" - just a "test" You are great examples to me and to everyone who knows you. Keep thinking good thoughts.
ReplyDeleteLove to all - Nancy and Jerry Jones (Austin - left Aug. of 2003!) It was fun when you came by Midway and we got to see you both and probably William and your 2nd son.
A brave little fellow, William, we love you! You are in the lords hands. Keep doing what your parents and doctors tell you to do. Love, Grandpa Shumway.
ReplyDeleteRyan, Julie, William, and family,
ReplyDeleteWe are thinking of you and praying for you. You are such an amazing family.
Love,
Stephen and Heather Redd