Hi friends and family, several people have been asking for an update, especially for the results on the pathology reports from Izzy's surgery. Unfortunately we still don't have any answers. Apparently there was a miscommunication between the doctors and we've been told some of the reports are still pending and we won't know the results until this week. Our patience is being tested, among other things.
Although I am generally a very positive person, it isn't really my style to "sugar coat" things. The truth is that we are struggling and we still need prayers. It's awful to wait to find out if our daughter has cancer, but we are still hopeful for good results. (no news is good news, right?) The hardest part right now is accepting the OMS diagnosis and the treatments. As we learn more about this rare disease, it is becoming more and more clear that the road ahead is going to be long. It's been a very tough week, all of the weight of what is happening with Isabella has been hitting us really hard. We are worried about so many things, even though we are trusting in God we are definitely feeling our anxiety get the best of us some times. We are so heartbroken.
We know that God will see us through this, but Satan is definitely trying to kick us while we are down too. Please pray for our faith to remain strong, for our marriage to thrive through this test, and for all of our daughters to feel loved and secure through this even though we are so drained. Please don't stop praying for a cure for Izzy. We don't know what to expect with her disease, some kids have serious brain damage but we are hopeful that Izzy will be able to have a normal life. The specialist that we saw is aggressively working on a cure, he thinks he is about 2 years away from curing OMS completely. We believe that Izzy can be cured much sooner than that by God!
We are having a really hard time with the fact that Izzy has to have such serious medications, we don't even like giving our kids cold medicine. Please pray that her side effects are minimal and that there are no long term side effects that could hurt her when she grows up. Izzy is on a very high dose of steroids right now, and it's definitely wreaking havoc in our house. Our little bundle of Joy has become a child that we hardly recognize...the neurologist calls kids on steroids "little balls of hate rolling around the house". She will be on this "steroid pulse" until Tuesday and we are praying that the side effects subside soon so we can have our little happy gal back.
We are still seeing God's hand through all of this, and we are not going to succumb to the temptation to wallow in self pity (although staying in bed all day in my pajamas does sound pretty nice!) I want to share a few things that have helped me recently, because it's important to know that your encouragement and prayers are making a difference for us.
Yesterday my best friend, Heather, practically kidnapped me and forced me to go shopping with her (Ok, truthfully it doesn't take that much to convince me to go shopping, but all I really wanted to do was pout yesterday). Right before Heather came over I was working on our budget and feeling sick about how much we spent on Christmas before we knew any of this was going to happen. I was looking at how much we spent on groceries and diapers last month and wondering how the Meijer family got so much of our income! Then Heather showed up with a stack of gift cards to Meijer that a group of our friends had put together as a gift for us. What an unexpected blessing straight from God!
Today Tom and I were able to go to church together while my parents came to stay with the girls. God sure has a way of making his presence known when you are seeking Him! There were so many things that touched me throughout the music and message, but my favorite thing was the part of the lyrics of one of the songs:
"Look around,
Your Mother and Father
And sisters and brothers
Are carrying this cross with you."
Ain't that the truth! We are so incredibly thankful for our support system of family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ who are truly walking beside us to help us through this tiresome time.
This scripture popped out to me the other day, and it is written on our fridge as a daily reminder:
"Blessed are those who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of LIFE that God has promised to those who love Him." - James 1:12
All of the hugs, meals, messages, facebook posts, emails, phone calls, text messages and comments on the blog are making a difference too. So many of them have made me smile and cry. Here is one of my favorites from a dear friend, Carla.
"Hi Karen, I have been following your posts and have been praying for Izzy and you and Tom. Know this, our God is Sovereign, purposeful and nothing happens outside the realm of His knowledge and care for us. During this time be strengthened by knowing that His grace is sufficient for you to pull down sacred resource, the intangible heavenly stuff that carries us through while we try to understand what exactly God is doing. Although it's very difficult through the emotional uproar, let your heart be still and your posture before God be one of reliance and Trust. What He is building inside of you has higher priority than the result we want to see with our physical eyes. Be comforted knowing that he would not allow anything that He cannot carry you through. Ultimately Izzys healing will be a manifestation and the stuff done through it will be an immovable mountain inside of you.
Love you! Call me if you need to talk"
Thank you again for being a part of the ups and downs with us.
Love in Christ,
Karen & Tom
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