Reflections of the Day....

 As I sit here at my computer, jammies on, slippers on my feet, and a hot cup of tea next to me, I reflect on the day's events.............. 

Today we had our first consultation with the doctor at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. I must say that, as the days have seemed to settle back into a bit more of a "normal" routine this past week, it almost seemed that the whole cancer thing was just a bad dream. That is, of course, until we pulled up to SCCA. Just the sign on the wall brought me jolting back into reality. Anna really does have cancer. We walked through the halls and were witness to lots of people milling about, some with staff tags around their necks, and others with bandanas on their bald heads, and sadness in their eyes. Yes, Anna indeed has cancer. Every corner you turn there are "sanitizing stations" as well as masks for anyone who might have a cough. The knot in the pit of my stomach was very real, I'm positive that the unsure look in our eyes as well as the uncertainty of where things were gave a clue to the "veterans" that we were "newbies" here. That will change in the near future, of course. As we sat in the waiting room, we each had our electronic devices and reading material out, though I don't know if any of us got much reading accomplished at all. We paused and got a few photos in front of the window over looking Lake Union. Then we were called back. Within just a few minutes, we were meeting Dr. Ann Woolfrey who would be sitting with us for the next couple of hours to go over everything concerning Anna and her CML treatment options and risks. She informed us that she is just one of several doctors that we will be seeing as they have a rotation and whomever is on the clock will be our attending. The information she gave was thorough and sobering. Though the outlook for Anna does seem bright considering how many siblings she has! The doc showed us on the white board why her sibs are such optimum candidates for donor matches, then explained why, if none of our other children are a match, a complete stranger would be more likely a suitable donor than her Daddy or Mommy. We also were informed that no results were back yet from the blood tests being done on our four older children...a real bummer as we were so hoping for that answer! The very real explanation of what will go on with a bone marrow transplant and what risks this involves hit home pretty hard. However, we had a strength and peace that passeth all understanding from an Almighty God! To God be the glory!

We were then given a tour of the floors we will be frequenting at SCCA in the months to come. As we walked through the halls, I thought to myself what a very different mission field the Lord is bringing the Houston family to....a people who need HOPE!

After our consultation and tour of SCCA, we headed on over to Seattle Children's Hospital for yet another tour. This time we were shown the cancer floor where Anna will spend anywhere from 1- 1 1/2 months. They have a children's play room, swimming pool, family rooms, and a kitchen to store and heat food. We were shown all of the supplies that will be at our disposal while there. Each room door who has a child receiving a transplant is decorated with a sign saying, "happy transplant day _____!" The walls are graced with cancer patients' pictures. I must admit that, while I stayed strong and controlled at SCCA, I had a harder time while at SCH. My daughter is going to be a patient here and she is going to get really sick. I know she will be a patient at SCCA, but the rooms look more like a regular clinic rather than that of a hospital for really really sick people. It may also be because at SCCA, things were quieting down for the day while at Children's, family members were still wandering the halls. There was a huge line up of small bicycles and tricycles for young patients and their siblings to ride on around the halls- another reminder of how young so many of the patients here are, and another reminder of the mission field we are soon to enter.

After the tour at Children's, we went on over to the Ronald McDonald house and got yet another quick tour. We only got to see the common areas of the smaller house tonight, but it gave us an idea of what we may need in the future to consider. You all might pray that the Lord will guide us in what to do about accommodations while needing to be within a 20-30 minute drive from both places. There are so many weighty decisions that face us right now, but we know that God is in control and it is no mistake that we are facing these things. We know that we face them, not alone, but with a loving Heavenly Father at our side.

Daddy and Anna in the waiting room at Fred Hutch

Mom and Anna

Naomi and Anna

We are all so grateful for all of the help we have received already, as well as the prayers and words of encouragement from all over the world! We hope to be that same kind of encouragement and light shining in darkness for all that we come into contact with in the months to come! We treasure this opportunity and pray that many seeds will be planted and souls given a reason for hope!

On a much more "pleasant" and "playful" note, I must say with great happiness, that today I had about FOUR or FIVE people think that I was Naomi and Anna's SISTER!!!!! So that totally makes up for the vintage thing of last week! (Only once did someone say they thought we were all sisters with our Dad, cough cough, the other times it was stated that they thought we were all four siblings!)

And now, as I pillow my head for some much needed sleep, I will rest in the promises of a Sovereign God. And whether it be in this life or life eternal, our daughter WILL be healed!

"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases....." Psalm 103:1-3