Day Fifty-seven

"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." Ephesians 4:7

Another Friday, another treatment.  Ryan is a champ, and was doing well when Davianna, Emma, and I left the hospital at 7:30.  His mood was good, he was eating a little bit, and completely focused on the Ben 10 cartoon.  Go Ryan!

Mirjan took him in the to the doctor's office at 9:45, and they did the CBC (similar results as last week) and then hooked him up to the IV.  She had called yesterday and requested a different nurse, which was a good call.  The previous nurse was all business and there was no compassion or caring towards Ryan.  It was a completely different attitude than every other person that we have encountered throughout this journey.   I wonder if that was one of the reasons he started worrying about the needle and voicing his concern about it over the past three weeks.  Anyway, concern resolved.

John and Nick were out of the office today, so Ryan missed two of his favorite people at the hospital.  I'll tell them that they need to coordinate their schedules next time, so at least one of them are there. :)  At least his sisters were able to go and spend time with him.

Ryan gained weight this week!  Praise the Lord!  The doctor asked Mirjan what we did differently, and Mirjan told him he was eating Doritos for breakfast this morning.  She has done a good job getting him to eat different things throughout the week.  It was really bothering her, so I'm glad to see her creativity and efforts pay off!

I picked up Mirjan's mother and the girls and ran by the hospital late in the afternoon.  We stayed about 10 minutes, then I left with her mother to take her to the airport.  We got her checked-in, and I walked her to the security checkpoint and then left for the hospital.  It was a blessing to have her here for 10 days.  Thank you, Lord.

I went back to the hospital and Mirjan was directing the fun with the kids in the playroom.  Ryan made paintings for a lot of people, and Emma and Davianna painted a little bit too.  Ryan didn't start the chemo until about 5pm, so the mesna drip will go until mid-morning.  I assume that they will leave later tomorrow too.

We went to movie night, ate popcorn, and watched Space Buddies for about 30 minutes.  Then we headed back to the room, Ryan ate some dinner, and then the girls and I took off.  Davianna did not want to leave.  She wanted to stay with her brother and was upset about going.  She had made him a special card this afternoon, which was really quite impressive.  After a little discussion and a big hug and kiss from mom, she was okay to go. 

Emma was sound asleep by the time we got home, so I put her to bed and gave her a bottle.  Davianna and I watched one of her tv shows and then she went to bed too.  She came out after a while and asked him if I could put Emma to sleep in another room because she was snoring too loud.  :)

Father, thank you for Ryan's good health and good mood today.  Thank you that the treatment and procedures have been safe so far, and I ask that you continue to protect him as they continue.  I ask that you help his body recover this weekend and let the side affects be minimal.  Be with him, guide him and us, and continue to heal his little body.  Lord, I thank you for Mirjan and all that she does.  Thank you for bringing her into my life and for the love that she shares every day.  Be with her tonight and give her comfort as you and her watch over Ryan.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.