Saturday,

This is Cassandra, writing on behalf of my dad who, for a brief time this afternoon, occupied ER room #23 here at Sparrow. The back pain that he has been experiencing recently has been caused by a possible small mass (which the doctor referred to as an “abnormal growth”) on his tailbone that an MRI identified yesterday and was confirmed by a CT Scan today. The doctors have asked him to call them on Monday because they would like to schedule a biopsy of the tailbone to figure out what this is.

As for mom, she is hanging in there. She continues to smile every time us kids come to visit her and maintains her wonderful, cheerful, encouraging disposition. Her blood tests continue to come back positive for a yeast infection. We are choosing to believe that the new antibiotics that they are trying will be successful in killing this infection that is now running through her whole body. Also, the rash, which they have determined was caused by drugs and low platelets, is also still spreading. We know that our God is a God of miracles. He is fully capable of healing both Mom and Dad.

A verse I have been thinking about for a while now is 1 Peter 4:12-13.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

So often, I have the opportunity to talk to people about mom and what our family is going through. One thing many people have said to me is, “I just don’t understand why this is happening to your mom. I don’t know why it had to be HER.” The question that always runs through my head after that is, “why do you think that?” No one is exempt from something like this happening to them. Look at what Christ suffered for us! This is nothing in comparison. This verse has been a reminder to me that we live in a fallen world. We should expect that we are going to go through tough times. But even though it may be hard, God is the one who will help us through. He will never leave us. He will never forsake us. He will always be there.

Please continue to pray:

- That the yeast infection will go away completely. Mom has spiked a fever of 102.7 degrees late this afternoon, the highest she has had since she has been in the hospital. The Infectious Disease doctor expressed a concern of the yeast accumulating around the heart and in the lungs. They are trying a different anti-fungal (and last) option that will hopefully kill the yeast infection.
- That Mom’s white blood cell count would go up quickly, on its own. We cannot proceed with the bone marrow biopsy until it reaches the normal 10,000 count.
- That the biopsy on Dad’s tailbone would go well and that the results would be good.
- That we all would continue to place our trust in our mighty God and realize He is in complete control of this situation.

I also want to just say thank you to all of you who have made our family meals, sent my mom cards, or even just said that you are praying for us. The love and support that is surrounding us is overwhelming and so encouraging. The cards are starting to overtake the hospital room, to our great delight. Each and every Bible verse, inspirational quote, or word of encouragement is something that Mom looks forward to reading every day. We eagerly anticipate reading the new cards aloud, and then adding them to the walls and see how much they are filling up with your words of love. Thank you so much.

Today my friend Colleen and I were coming to the hospital to visit mom after an open house. We were driving into the parking ramp, discussing how many times I have been here in the past month and wondering what you have to do to achieve the “most frequent visitor” status here at Sparrow. We also pondered why the money-taking attendant is always so crabby and how fast you can possibly go over the speed bumps in the ramp. As we passed through floors one and two, we decided to go up to the top for a change of scenery. Coming out into the light on the sixth floor, it was as if a whole new world was opened up. Looking over the edge of the parking garage, the view of the Capitol building was breathtaking. At that moment, we realized that little everyday pleasures are passed up so often because of the busyness of life. I encourage you today to stop and take a second to look around and appreciate the blessings that God has placed in your life; stop and look at His mighty hand that is at work in all the little things.