Prayer Request

Update, Evening May 6

Don was extremely fatigued tonight when David spoke to him. His appetite is poor. The doctor this afternoon is uncertain as to the cause of the fevers, really just speculated at this point.

It is my understanding that his doctor told him this morning that with no further intervention (chemo) he could expect to live only 2 weeks.

However, his health is so precarious that even more chemo could cause his condition to decline quickly and cause death as a complication...He did decide to accept more chemo. His pic line should be inserted tomorrow and hopefully, the chemo will begin too.

David's sister, Lisa, is with them, and is a great source of strength. Our hearts are there but we long to be there in body too.

It is our desire to see him again while he is still lucid, but David's obligations prevent us from leaving just yet. David is rapidly putting lesson plans together for the next two weeks, so we will be free to leave. The school is extremely supportive --almost encouraging David to go while there is still time.

Many of you, my readers, have walked a journey of pain and loss, that we can only imagine right now. Thank you for your prayers and support. David and I found comfort in the words of Judy Brown written to us today, "Stay close ... say alot of "I love yous" ... and I promise this ... God DOES give grace ... one moment at a time."

Since many of you who read my blog are well aquainted with our family, I am asking if you will remember to pray for the Balty's today. We found out last week that David's dad's leukemia has returned, after a remission of about 3 months. Don is running fevers of about 103, has some mild confusion and at the last call had a very low blood pressure.

He had a bone marrow biopsy yesterday and we were hoping that he could sustain one more round of Mylotarg, which could possibly give another remission, although perhaps shorter.

Please pray for us, too, for wisdom, to know when is the right time to travel.