Yesterday following our Thanksgiving feast, we loaded up and headed to one of our favorite places: Stone Mountain Park.
We were riding the open-air passenger train; Seth was boogying on my lap to Here Comes Santa Claus, my 8-year-old slipped his hand into mine and snuggled close for warmth and my husband leaned forward from the seat behind and put his arms around my shoulders. I closed my eyes and, while the wind bit my nose and cheeks, I allowed their love to envelop me. It felt good to close my eyes…and for a moment put aside the concern for David’s family.
Thanksgiving, 2007, we shed a lot of tears. Glenda has just received news of her ovarian cancer and her surgery and treatment loomed large in our minds. She had surgery in December, chemotherapy in January and just weeks later, Don was diagnosed with MDS, a blood disorder with a one-way route to leukemia, although for some this condition can last for years.
Not so for Don, whose blood results we tracked like hounds, watching his white count, platelet, and hemoglobin go down each week. By June, he was transfusion dependent. He received Mylotarg in July and we were grateful to see him go into "remission." His platelet count got so high, in fact, that I warned that if it got much higher the physician might suggest a phlebotomy… "You’ve got be kidding!" he replied.
I’ve watched Don and Glenda travel down into the valley this year, being present at times when I felt awkward being privy to such intimacy. I recall one such moment where we were sitting in the car after just receiving news that Don’s prognosis was poor. As the car door closed around us, the vehicle became a sanctuary of praise, as they gave thanks for the goodness of God. I sat, in awe, with tears streaming down my face.
Don’s condition remains stable but low. His body continues to survive on the daily blood transfusions that he receives. His vitals are stable and his appetite good. He has not recently had any episodes of worrisome confusion. His white count is perilously low, but he is on strong antibiotics to ward off any infections before they begin. It will be three weeks this Friday since his last dose of chemo and if the Mylotarg is going to work, we should be seeing some improvement in his labs soon.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the children who ask of Aslan in The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe, "Is he safe?" The answer is swift, "No, but he is good."
God does not promise safety, but it is His goodness that we cling to, and in this we give thanks.
Thanksgiving, 2007, we shed a lot of tears. Glenda has just received news of her ovarian cancer and her surgery and treatment loomed large in our minds. She had surgery in December, chemotherapy in January and just weeks later, Don was diagnosed with MDS, a blood disorder with a one-way route to leukemia, although for some this condition can last for years.
Not so for Don, whose blood results we tracked like hounds, watching his white count, platelet, and hemoglobin go down each week. By June, he was transfusion dependent. He received Mylotarg in July and we were grateful to see him go into "remission." His platelet count got so high, in fact, that I warned that if it got much higher the physician might suggest a phlebotomy… "You’ve got be kidding!" he replied.
I’ve watched Don and Glenda travel down into the valley this year, being present at times when I felt awkward being privy to such intimacy. I recall one such moment where we were sitting in the car after just receiving news that Don’s prognosis was poor. As the car door closed around us, the vehicle became a sanctuary of praise, as they gave thanks for the goodness of God. I sat, in awe, with tears streaming down my face.
Don’s condition remains stable but low. His body continues to survive on the daily blood transfusions that he receives. His vitals are stable and his appetite good. He has not recently had any episodes of worrisome confusion. His white count is perilously low, but he is on strong antibiotics to ward off any infections before they begin. It will be three weeks this Friday since his last dose of chemo and if the Mylotarg is going to work, we should be seeing some improvement in his labs soon.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the children who ask of Aslan in The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe, "Is he safe?" The answer is swift, "No, but he is good."
God does not promise safety, but it is His goodness that we cling to, and in this we give thanks.
Comments
Each time I read about David's parents I always think how very blessed they are to have such a loving and supportive family so they don't have to walk through the valley alone.
Your love for your husbands family is so evident, I have such high admiration for those who treat their husband or wifes family as valuable as their own - that is how it should be.
We will continue to pray for David's parents adn for all of you.
We appreciate your blogger site. It lets us know whats going on with the Balty family. We have always loved you guys but, when we met David's parents they were easy to love too. Please let them know they are in our prayers. Amy, your site is a blessing to me each time I read it. We love & miss you all.
Mary & Steve
Mary Miller, it is so good to hear from you. We think of you and Steve often. I'm thankful for your prayers for the Balty's, and I am sure they are as well. I miss your warm hugs on Sunday morning at church!
Michelle, Thanks for stopping by. I speak for experience that having all boys is FUN...never a dull moment, that's for certain. Looking forward to hearing more about your wee-one on your blog.
I'm thankful for answered prayer...
Email to follow.
I'm so glad you had a blessed Thanksgiving...I always love getting in nature with my family. Everywhere you look, you are reminded of a loving Creator.
When you're sad, I'm saddened. I don't even know your in-laws, but in a way I feel like I know them from your postings! Be assured that we bear your burden, and be assured that the Lord will uphold all of you with the "right hand of His righteousness" during this time. (Isaiah 41:10)
I feel privileged to even know about this Godly family. Thank you for being a blessing to me and to others by keeping us posted on Don's heath. Know all 9 of us send our love and prayers to you, David, the boys and the immediate family members. God's will be done in all of your lives! Faith over fear!
Love you bunches, my dear friend!
Amy and The Stroup Coop
Zephaniah 3:17
It is my pleasure to have met you. here. You are a treasure, and as I watched tears fill your eyes last week when you spoke of how you were praying, I KNEW you were truly helping to bear our burden.
Btw, I missed you Sunday at church. Doug's solo Sunday night was awesome.
Tonight after we voted, we walked through the new church. It is beautiful, but as we were leaving, I recalled to David that when we walked into the gym last April, it certainly wasn't the structure of a building that drew us to that church-it was the fearless preaching of God's Word and and it became a spiritual oasis to us. Thank you for you part in helping us to transition.
I look forward to a growing friendship with you and your lovely family.