Here's Caelan, buckled up in his car seat, heading to Birmingham today for his third dose of chemotherapy (3 down, 45 more to go!). He's doing great! He is eating well, has not thrown up even once, is happy all the time, and has been adequately increasing the weight of his diaper with solid substances of varying degrees of stink! So, in other words, all systems are working well. Also, from his chemo trip today, Erika called and told me that his white blood cell counts were high, so he is in good shape to fight off any potential infections! We know that this is an answer to prayer and God is so faithful. One of my greatest prayers in all of this is, "If we have to go through this, Lord, please don't let him suffer too much." I am more convinced than ever that God is delivering a healing to my son through His providential care and through medicine. I thank God for every person who has prayed for us and has helped us in tangible ways. You are all incredible. I have no idea how we would be handling this if not for the power of the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
I am not naive of the tough times that await us. He could get sick tomorrow. We've already had two unscheduled hospital/emergency room trips the past two weeks. I hear that radiation is a real bear and it is every day in August and September for 4-6 weeks. But, I DO want to be faithful to praise God for answered prayers and for getting us this far. I KNOW in my heart that He will carry us through, and we continue to look to Him. Our God is faithful! We'll continue to take this one day at a time, choosing to rejoice in the Lord each day.
Hi Alan! Caelan looks great! I know it feels good to see him all smiling and happy. Colette's radiation was the easiest part of the treatment. We went for 3 weeks straight, and it got easier and easier. Kids love routines! Too bad we parents don't! lol Chemo and its effects were way worse.
Know we are still thinking of you and praying for your peace throughout this storm!
Love in Christ,
Tammy
www.caringbridge.com/al/colette
Posted by: Tammy Pate | May 30, 2006 at 05:10 PM
We rejoice with you on the current good news! Over the years we have heard of many people healed of cancer through the power of prayer and would trust God to hear our prayers and those of so many others as together we beseech the Lord for Caelan. I admire your fortitude through this and continue to pray God's strength and grace for you and your wife as well.
Posted by: GuyMuse | May 30, 2006 at 05:34 PM
Alan, thanks for the update. We'll continue praying . . . in addition to praying for Caelon to be healed, we're praying that all of you experience the enveloping, sustaining grace of God.
- Steve Walker
Posted by: Steve Walker | May 30, 2006 at 07:05 PM
Man this stuff breaks my heart... I have no idea how I could possibly handle what you're going through. As with all things, I pray that in this situation God would grant you a stronger back to carry this burden.
Posted by: Joe Kennedy | May 30, 2006 at 07:13 PM
He looks awesome. Praise the Lord. Still praying.
Posted by: art rogers | May 30, 2006 at 09:26 PM
Great to hear! We are still praying hard!
Posted by: Kevin Bussey | May 30, 2006 at 10:30 PM
Okay, Caelan is the cutest baby ever! Seriously, he just makes me smile to look at him! Praise God for His care for you and your family! He will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19) Chris and I continue to pray. PS great choice on the music! We love the DCB!
Posted by: Natalie Hewett | June 01, 2006 at 08:44 AM
Alan, The picture of Caelan is adorable. You, Erika and the kids are in my prayers. I love you all.
Posted by: Karen Golson | June 03, 2006 at 09:21 PM