Clinic Visit, The S-Word and The Weekend

Ah, the end of yet another weekend is upon me and I've once again slacked with my updates. There's a good deal of information to share, but I'll try to be as concise as possible.

Logan's big annual oncology clinic visit was Friday afternoon. As promised, we saw a host of different doctors, from his primary and the visiting doctor from LA who invented the Headstart treatment protocol to the endocrinologist to the developmental neuropsychologist. (Or at least I think that's what he's called.)

We saw Dr. T. and Dr. F. first. From a disease standpoint, they're very pleased with where we are. The radiation damage on his spine is a little less thrilling, but as I've noted before the decadron he's currently taking is the first line of defense against progression. And what exactly does progression involve? In short, a hole in the spinal cord. It's a scary notion for sure, but I'm doing two things to cope: 1) Realizing that there are three different means of combating the damage should it begin to happen, and 2) standing on Mark 11:22. At this time, his scan shows no necrosis (dead tissue), and we're praying that it'll stay that way. And that his limp will continue to resolve itself. He's walking better than he was a week ago, thankfully, and we need to see that trend continue. Because of the swelling and the potential for actual damage, he'll be monitored even more closely than before, and his next scan will happen in roughly a month.

The developmental neuro team was pleased to hear that he's in preschool and enjoying himself. (Most of the time, anyway.) In a month or so, he'll go in for some 'testing' so they'll have a baseline to work from down the line. He'll be tested roughly every year in order to judge his progress.

Rehab was also pleased to hear that he's in preschool and having fun; he said that it's probably the best therapy available. He noted that one of Logan's legs (the left one) is thinner than the other, and when he ran an ice cube along his legs Logan wasn't really able to distinguish the temperature. However, as Dr. T. noted later, we really don't know that it means anything significant because we don't know if he's ever had good temperature sensation in his legs. He did flinch when the guy brushed a card against his leg, so there is sensation. I just don't know how good it is. So please pray over that, if you will.

There were other doctors in and out and lots of things said, but I want to focus on one tiny word that was uttered before I make my prayer requests and log out for the evening. During the course of our discussion with the neuropsychologist, he began a sentence with a term that took my breath away in the moment:

All of our survivors...

Survivor. It's not a term that I'd allowed myself to apply to Logan yet. I don't really know why, but it's probably the result of some latent fear nestled deep within the confines of my heart. But that doctor said it, and in that moment I realized it was true. And, well, I had to bite the insides of my cheeks very, very hard in order to keep from crying. Just thought I'd share that.

So prayer requests. I've already outlined a few above, so please keep those close to your heart. Please also pray for health and freedom from illness in our house. Abby came down with strep on Friday and is much better now, but of course we worry that Logan may have been exposed. Though he's not feverish like Abby was, something is most definitely bothering him and he spent today lying very low. Please pray that God will touch him and that he'll feel more like himself in the morning and the days to come. Additionally, please pray for Brady. He's had a very rough couple of days; he was cranky today and spent much of last night awake and crying. He's already on medication for an ear infection so I'm a little stumped over the whole thing, but I know he's uncomfortable. Please pray for strength, patience, peace, faith and belief for me and for Adam as we enter this week and go about our daily lives. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fall afresh on us and give us all of those things and whatever else we need to be good parents and good friends.

Thank you for being a part of Logan's team. Have a blessed week.