All Settled In

 Yesterday was a day filled with emotion. The emotion of knowing Anna was heading to the hospital where she will be for about forty days. We've said goodbye before, when she left for three weeks to Uganda. But that was different. This time, we know she will be getting really sick, but we are hopeful that this means that she will be cured of this horrid thing called cancer.

My parents came up for a quick visit, leaving yesterday afternoon. We enjoyed that little diversion! Grandma had made a quilt for people to sign~ already many family members and even people we don't know but are praying for her have signed it.

After Grandma and Grandpa left, we headed out to get a few supplies for Anna's hospital stay. While out and about, we stopped at Starbucks for the half price frappacinos (sp?). As each moment passed, the air got thicker with anticipation. Four o'clock, meds were taken....seven o'clock, meds were taken. At home, we had family devotions and prayer for one last time. Then the gifts were given. While at the mall, Lydia brought some earrings to Daddy and asked if she could get them for Anna. Of course he said yes! This brought eager little sister, Abigail, to want to get a gift as well. So, she got Anna some bright colored socks. And then, of course, Zeke didn't want to be out done! He got her some zebra print slippers. They were so excited to give Anna their little examples of deep love and devotion.

Once the gifts were received with thanksgiving, it was time to say our very tearful goodbyes. Each sibling had their turn for hugs. Anna spoke words of love and encouragement to each one, exhorting them to trust the Lord and to love the Lord with all of their heart. She told the younger ones to be helpful and obedient. This was tough to witness. But I share a little glimpse of this intimate time with our family.

Once the goodbyes were done, we loaded up and headed out. We drove separate vehicles so I could come home later and get some sleep. Craig is taking most of the night shifts so this pregnant mama can get rest. Anna rode with me, a quiet and short drive. I held her hand the whole way. We parked, got checked in with our parent badges, and headed to the 8th floor of the new building. This is the cancer floor, for teens. The nurses were wonderful! Patti is a christian and very pleasant and bubbly. She made us feel very comfortable, showing us around and explaining things so well. I went in feeling overwhelmed and tearful, I left feeling at ease and confident that Anna is in good great hands. 

This sign was in Anna's room, it said, "Welcome Anna!" After a bit, Anna got into her comfy clothes...the clothes she will be living in for some time. Once we were done with the "orientation" and many questions, Anna was hooked up to the fluids. She has a new shadow~ her little cart of fluids/meds. This will be with her for the duration of this treatment.

Well, as every mommy should do, I tucked my baby girl into bed and kissed her good night. Rest well, my darling! I love you and will see you soon! And with that, Craig walked me to the car, kissed me goodnight, and I drove on. It was weird. I know it's best for me to be home at night as my other babies need me and I'm still not feeling well at night. But it's hard to leave. They did say that both parents are welcome to stay the night, a change in their policy that we are thankful for....who knows, maybe we will do that a time or two. But for now, we will take things one step at a time.

 This morning began the chemo. Eight in the morning they hooked her up and it took two hours. She will have four treatments of chemo a day. After the chemo, they come in every few minutes to draw blood. This will be taken to S.C.C.A. to be examined. This will determine the dose she gets.

I got to talk with Anna after it was done, she is doing well. She feels a bit swimmy from the meds, but she is in good spirit! I let her go as she was getting really tired. She is a light sleeper and though the nurses don't wake her to do procedures in the night, she wakes anyway. Her only request for today, "mom, please bring me some gum and mints...people are in my face all of the time!" Of course, last night we had gone over the other things I am to bring with me, like Phase 10, make up wipes, and finger nail clippers. I might even get to bring her brothers and sisters with me to visit today! We are thankful for the sunshine again. The view from Anna's room is amazing! I'm glad she gets to enjoy the view with the bonus of the sun...even in Seattle! I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who carries us through the best of times and the most difficult times.

My encouragement to each of you today is to look around you and thank God for every little blessing that surrounds you. Thank Him for your trials and your heartaches. Why, you may be asking? Because you can never know how sweet something is until you've tasted the bitter. When all you have is sweet, it becomes common place. Bland. Expected. But when you are given a bit of something bitter, the sweet becomes sweeter than you can ever imagine! Thank you, Lord, for this trial in our life!! May the Lord bless you all!