Treatment #2

I took Neal to the University of Chicago yesterday to begin his 2nd treatment. I stayed to help get him settled in and then returned home. Some of our kids were still here from Christmas. Neal didn’t start his retuxin until 6:30pm last night followed by his methotrexate. The earliest he will finish with his chemo is Friday. Hopefully he can come home shortly after that. His white count was good going into chemo so we’ll see what happens with that.

We had a fantastic Christmas! Grant, Jenni, Lane and Corbin came Friday morning. Karsten was already home for break from Taylor. The rest of the kids, my parents up from Florida and my sister came Christmas Eve night. Earlier in the day some of the Smith’s came to our house for Christmas Eve dinner. We woke up Christmas morning to Lane saying, “Oooo, ho, ho, ho” after he saw that Santa had come during the night! The joy of having little ones in the house again! Instead of the siblings exchanging gifts this year Britton devised 3 gift card games for us to play. One was based on a chldhood game the kids had made up when they were littlier and the other 2 were your standard matching and stealing games. We played those inbetween opeing gifts. It was a very fun morning.

The last several years we have been doing fondue on Christmas Day. By the time you do the cheese, followed by meats and end up with the chocolate fondues, it’s an all afternoon affair. But very yummy! Grant, Jenni and their boys headed for home and Britton, Michelle and Eli headed over to Wheaton early evening. My parents and sister left Tuesday morning. Whitney and Ty left last night. Karsten doesn’t go back to school until Monday.

When I got back from taking Neal yesterday, the kids had cleaned the house! It was very sweet and very appreciated:) It’s been full several days but wonderful being together as family, laughing, eating, playing games and celebrating the birth of our Saviour.

I am so thankful that Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; my Shepherd, Companion, and Friend–the One who never lets go of my hand. He gives me everything I need.

Resting in God’s peace,
Trish