Which way the wind blows

It's amazing what you can forget...

Kathy and the boys are good. Work is more consuming and worrisome that it should be. All the events in the world around sometimes crowd out what we should be thinking about, or appreciating. We were at a basketball game for Ian on Wednesday. Caleb and I were shooting hoops a bit while the youngun wasn't on court and things were relaxed. Ian went onto the court and we began watching and making small talk with another father. After a while he commented that Ian might have lost a little of the usual defensive mojo that he normally exhibited. And Mojo he normally has, with more energy than our little rat terrier going after a rodent, simply grabbing the ball out of his opponents hands. I commented that yeh, he seemed a little off his game, and wondered what was up.

After a bit more talk, Kathy leans over and whispers a reminder that yes, he should be off a bit, he just had chemo that afternoon. At first I felt some serious guilt that I was a horrible and neglectful father. I mean, what kind of father forgets about his son's day of chemo. After some time it was ok, and I really appreciated how things were going. Being able to forget, or at least put aside, some of the troubles of life is a blessing and a relief. Peace may come when you least expect it. Sometimes it comes in worship, sometimes at a basketball game. Who knew. I hope and pray that it can stay for awhile. And of course, I'll try not to forget these things from now on.

Run on For a Long Time...

Just a short note here to let folks know that things are good. Ian's 12th weeks scans were negative, and we will be moving to a bi-weekly chemo, with a spinal taps on a 6 week schedule. So things are as good as they can be right now, and I am thankful. Next step will be PET, CAT, and MRI's after the next 6 weeks. It seems that without a set protocol, we'll be hanging on these periodic scans and tests, just to see if we are on the right track



If anyone is actually reading this, seeing us at church, school, baseball, or looking at some of the photos below, it is hard to see that there is an issue, and honestly, we are thrilled with that. He has tolerated this weekly chemo in a way that has not been seen before, and we continue with basketball, baseball, skiing and school, and generally being a 8 year old boy. It is pretty amazing when I actually take time to think about it.



You don't run a marathon as a sprint, and it seems we are on an ultra right now. Sometimes the route has us running ridges between clear mountain lakes, and other times times we're pulling our boots out of the mire. Right now we're taking our time, pacing ourselves, enjoying the view, and glad to be alive and in God's care.