Well, we are well into the maintenance phase now. Evan is doing great! His daily oral regimen includes mercaptopurine every day, methotrexate every Tuesday, and his normal Bactrim every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. He has been taking his pills like a champ, with some- but not much hassle.
Initially he had some fatigue, but he "five-year-old- boys his way through it". He's tough. Tougher than I could be.
Early on we were tipped off to an amazing over the counter powder called Healios. It is sold on the Enlivity website. Some studies show that this really helps cut down on mucositis while on chemotherapy. Mucositis is an incredibly painful ulceration all along the digestive tract while on chemo, so from the mouth to the anus. Adults and children alike are susceptible, and it is not only painful, but it can be deadly. Well, we have been giving Evan unflavored Healios in his milk or whatever drink for months. And he had one pinhole sized sore on his cheek, one time. And that healed fast. So, if anyone knows anyone who is undergoing treatment for cancer, we highly recommend Healios!
As we continue this journey, and as we witness the hate, the anger, pain, uncertainty, fear, and overall restlessness in our world, where are we to find hope? Surely hope is elusive for far too many in the world. We all look to whatever we can to soothe our hearts and minds. When faced with a kid with cancer or the uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring in general, we need to find hope somewhere. I mean, aren't we all tired of looking for a sign, looking for hope, looking for peace?
My friends, this world offers little to no hope, sorry to say. This is a fallen world filled with fallen people. We are all sinners who are subject to eternal condemnation unless we find truth. And I mean real truth. We will never find truth in our political system, no matter the party. We won't find hope on the news, or in a self-help book.
In my daily devotional time, I have been studying the Book of Romans in God's word. This book is full of truth, let me tell you. You should read it! You want to hear a snippet? Something that gives me a hope beyond all hope? Here you go....
Romans 8:18- 19 says "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed". The parallel reading is 1 John 3: 1-3, and it says " How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is." (Emphasis mine).
Yes, we, as believers, are rightly the children of the most powerful entity ever known to human existence. And, if we believe in the finished work of Jesus on the cross and His redemptive power, we will be like Him. Perfect in every way. Peaceful in every way. Wise in every way.
Pretty incredible. So, while we will have strife, trouble, and pain here, someday, we can be just like Him. And that is good enough for me.
Commentaires