January 21, 2009

Celebrating Sam!

That's the theme for today's blog. Sam is 12 today and yesterday he completed his last treatment in his remission induction phase. This has been a very intense and difficult 8 months for us but we are so thankful for Sam's positive response to the chemo therapy treatments...what an incredible answer to many prayers.

Sam will begin the second stage of treatment which is called maintenance as soon as his blood counts are high enough. Right now they are very low. Hopefully in a week or two they will be up and he can begin his first treatment in maintenance. The goal of this phase is to destroy cancerous cells which may still be present in his body. This stage will last until September 17, 2011 for Sam.

Some elders, pastors and their wives from our church came a few nights ago to pray over Sam and with our family. It was a meaningful time for us and we very much have appreciated our church family and the great encouragement and support they have shown to us.

As Sam heads into Maintenance we know that God continues to be in control of all the details surrounding his health. We are praying for complete elimination of all the cancer cells, no long term effects from the chemo drugs, and no possibility of relapse. We look forward a time when leukemia no longer interferes with his health, his daily activities, his present situation and future plans. May God continue to show mercy.

Thanks for walking through, what seems like a very long 8 months, with us. You have blessed us and given us hope during some of our saddest, darkest, and hardest days. We have cherished the times we can be together to talk, cry, pray, laugh, play, and share normal times together. We are grateful for your prayers and the practical ways many of you have helped us. You have warmed our hearts and been an incredible part of Sam's recovery and journey.

Today is a day to acknowledge all that God has done in Sam's life and celebrate 12 wonderful years we've been able to share with him. May God grant us many more years together as a family.

Have a wonderful day...we intend to!
Love Debbie