Day Sixteen

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Philipians 4:6

Thank you, Lord, for today.  Mirjan stayed with Ryan at the hospital last night because she said I couldn't stay any longer (uhhh, jealous?).  However, it wasn't a restful night for her.  Since Ryan was on IVs since 6:00am and had to stay on them until the next morning, there were a lot of little trips made throughout the night.  It's not as easy as it seems...and involves gloves, bottles, etc.
Anyway, that gave me some time with Emma and Davianna and Nanna, since I haven't spent much time with them lately.  I was planning to go and help her bring him home, but when I called her, she said the paperwork was done and they were packing up.  They took the butterfly needle out of the port-a-cath, and removed most of the bandages.  She picked up Ryan an early lunch on the way home because he wouldn't eat his breakfast.

Ryan walked through the door with his hat turned backwards, smiling, and happy to see everyone.  He acted like he was just coming home from the store. He was really happy to see Nanna.

One of Mirjan's friends and mother of one of Ryan's friends came by to drop off some balloons and cookies for Ryan.  Her son had a birthday party in the morning and wanted to bring something to Ryan, since he missed it.

Ryan took a nap for several hours and then was full of energy for the rest of the night. As I took the girls a bath, I just washed him off.  I was shocked at all the holes and cuts over his body.  It hit me hard how much he has physically been through the past two weeks.  I asked him if he was hurting anywhere, and he just looked at me like why was I asking him that.   The night ended in the usual routine...I put Ryan and Davianna to bed, and Mirjan took care of beautiful Emma.  I had to go up to Ryan's room several times, as he kept calling me...but it was always to talk about his collection of toys.

Ryan had a couple of the side affects today that the doctor talked to us about, but not really bad.   Thank you, God, and I ask that you please let the side effects be manageable throughout the treatment.

I was talking to Davianna today and asked if she had any questions about Ryan's visit to the hospital, the cancer, etc.  She asked some really good questions, that I had already read about in the material from the hospital.  She asked if he did something wrong to get it, and I told her it wasn't anything that anyone did.  It was just a bad bump under the skin (...healthy/sick cells, etc.).  She then asked why couldn't he get a shot and fix it.  I told her that no one, not even the smartest doctors and scientists in the world, know how to make that shot yet, but they are working on it.  She said, "God knows. He knows everything.  Is he keeping it a secret?"   Wow.  The first thought that came into my mind was, "Can I phone a friend for this answer."  I told her that God gave the doctors and scientists the intelligence to make the medicine that will help Ryan.  I had a lot of other thoughts running through my head about faith, healing, and God's power and love, but that's not what came out of my mouth...maybe some of it should have.  Then she asked me when is he going to lose his hair.  That was a little easier to answer.

I think we'll have more and more discussions about this as Ryan's treatments continue and have a compounding affect on him. 

Later, Mirjan came down and joined me on the couch.  Shortly after, Ryan came down and sat next to his mother.  He said, "It's good that I get to spend a little extra time with you guys."  He then asked if he could sit in the middle of us.  He put his head on Mirjan and just talked about nothing for a while.  Ryan has a kind heart from which pure love flows.

After Mirjan took him up, Davianna showed up out of nowhere and put her head on my lap and went to sleep.  I let her stay for about 15 minutes and then took her up.  I kicked Mirjan out of Ryan's bed and then slept with him for the night.  Sleeping arrangements have been a little weird the past two weeks, but it's been for the best.

Father, I thank you for a simple day. I thank you for the normalcy in our house today, the caring and concern that Davianna showed towards Ryan, the excitement from Emma when she saw Ryan, and kids sitting on the couch together watching tv.  I can't be thankful enough for your guidance, strength, presence, and acts over the past two weeks. You guided us to the best doctors who quickly acted, you kept Ryan safe through multiple surgeries, you showered us with your love and caring, you answered our prayers for containment, and you brought Ryan home already on the path of healing. I thank you for Mirjan, her love for the children, and everything that she does all day long without any breaks.  Please be with her and ease her worries and stress.  I ask that you keep Ryan in your hands, keep him healthy and strong, and continue to heal him.