October 1, 2019– Day +12

I don’t even know where to begin, but I’ll say this– the peace of God is so palpable in our room.

If I’m honest, yesterday was a blur. I didn’t feel much peace at all. I felt confusion and I was so scared and broken. But this morning, we awoke and peace is HERE.

So far, dialysis is running beautifully. In the words of our wonderful nurse, his body “didn’t even notice” when they turned the machine on. Bo’s had steady blood pressure, vitals, and overall calmness. He slept straight through the night in his crib, and Lance and I were able to get several hours of uninterrupted sleep as well.

Bo’s arms are tied down in some soft restraints with his hands in socks. It has actually brought him a lot of peace to not be fighting and flailing. He is still sleeping this morning and that is such mercy.

We have been visited by an oncologist and the kidney specialists and both are very pleased with how he’s doing so far. It’s confirmation that this was indeed the right move and course of treatment.

One thing we learned was that the ultrasound yesterday showed much less fluid than we originally thought was in his belly. It’s actually his very enlarged and angry liver that is making his tummy so distended. We are hoping with dialysis giving his kidneys a break, his liver can heal with the help of the new medicine and it will begin to shrink back to its normal size and he can begin to be more comfortable again.

One thing that will happen today is they will try to insert a PICC line into his arm. Although he just got an additional central line in his chest yesterday, that was specifically for dialysis and they need an additional access point for all of his meds. Several meds have interactions so they cannot be given through the same line, so an additional line is needed. The IV team tried to place an IV last night but had trouble locating a vein, so a PICC is the better solution. Bo will need anesthesia for that, but they’ll be able to keep him in his room for it. Prayers that it goes smoothly are appreciated.

A friend sent us this verse this morning and it’s one that has come up time and time again throughout this journey, but after yesterday, it just felt so appropriate to share. Each and every one of you are holding up our hands in this battle and we want you to know that we couldn’t do this without you and your faithful prayers.

Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.

Exodus 17:8-13

To God be the glory!