Count Your Blessings

Here I go again with hymns from childhood:

Count your blessings, name them one by one
Count your blessings see what God has done
Count your blessings....name them one by one
Count your many blessings see what God has done.

Yesterday, I was supposed to be watering the back yard, but was considering busting out crying instead. Carson had been feeling lethargic all morning, he didn't have much of an appetite, and we had not received the final results of the bone marrow test. I was scared. This hymn popped into my head and I began to realize I had so many things to be thankful for...I could face what came next.

As it turned out, God gave us more blessings. Let me count them one by one.......

1. On the medical front Carson's bone marrow test on Monday (prior to his second chemo treatment) was extremely encouraging. The doctor's have even said "AMAZING". Only 7% of his bone marrow is now leukemia. This is down from 89% leukemia on Saturday, July 11. We have dropped 82% after only one chemo treatment!

2. Blood drawn about 12 hours after the latest chemo round showed ZERO leukemic cells spilling over into the bloodstream. This is a great sign.....no leukemia in the blood means the bone marrow has slowed production of those cells.

3. Carson's energy was back today. Given a boost by the fact that he no longer has to be hooked up to "Stretch", the IV bag holder, Carson was all over the ward this morning. He raced around the rooms, he raced to the helicopter viewing area, he played in the playroom and did laps around the gazebo on the Big Wheel at the outdoor play area.

4. The appetite is back again. This is a blessing, but sometimes you wonder about that when you are asking the kitchen to make eggs for your child at 9:00 at night!

5. We have wonderful friends and a wonderful church family. Thank you for all the visits over these past few weeks! In just the last two days, we've had visits from seven different sets of people - with more scheduled for tomorrow. We've received tons of wonderful emails, encouraging cards and meals at home and at the hospital. Those comments on the blog? They are really keeping us going. And, finally, do I need to mention all the prayer lists where Carson's name appears because a caring friend or family member has put it there? It is absolutely overwhelming.

6. We have wonderful family! My crying episode yesterday was made by possible by Grandma - she stays with Carson while he takes a nap, which means she spends the ENTIRE day at the hospital. The fact that we can come home and cry is indeed a blessing. We get it out of our system, and can then be strong for Carson again. Thanks Grandma! And thanks to all our family for all the help not mentioned here...... (it would take up too much space!)

And with that, I'll close for today. I feel ready to fight the fight again tomorrow. I know we have a long road ahead, I know I'll need to take it one day at a time, but counting my blessings has lightened my load for the time being. I'll take those blessings, I'll embrace them, I'll thank God for them!
-Jennifer