273,000… January 22, 2010

platelets, that is! We went to Nashville for Brandon’s 6-month post-transplant check-up today, and boy did it come with some rejoicing! The day involved a breathing test and extra blood work, some waiting, an ultrasound on his legs to rule out any clots (due to medication-induced swelling), and a bone marrow biopsy, and sweet words from his doctor. The doctor is not really concerned about his biopsy coming back with any type of blood disorder whatsoever because 1. God has healed him , 2. his bone marrow is 100% of the donor’s (not one ounce of Brandon’s old bone marrow), and 3. his platelets are N-O-R-M-A-L 273,000. Never in our married life, never since he’s had his blood drawn in the past two years have his platelets been above 160,000. Last month they were 160,000 – this month, the Lord jumped them up well over 100,000!!! Hooray!

They did say that they are predicting he will be completely off of his immune-suppressant medication by the end of the year. The taper of this medication is going to take a pretty long time with slow tapers because they don’t want to cause Graft-Verses-Host Disease to creep up again. A few weeks ago they think that it did come back in Brandon’s stomach because he began to feel continually nauseated, and they had tapered him from his medication a few weeks prior. So, they upped the medication for the time being to see if that would help – and it has! He feels really good, just has pretty swollen ankles and legs from the knee down. He’s good about resting them and getting up on them for a few walks and that seems to help.

We were able to go on a date last night in Nashville while Papa and Sissy kept Carter B over night. For some reason, and we are so thankful for this, that little boy SLEEPS at their house! He slept until 8:15 a.m. this morning. His routine at home is to talk from about 6:45 a.m. until we get him up between 7 and 7:30 a.m. But this little boy sleeps 1.5 more hours per night at their house, and I love it! I think he had a good time with them, and we so much appreciated some time together before this little girl gets here. BTW, Caroline Loren’s due date is a short SIX (6) weeks away! You can almost count that on one hand… that’s when you know it’s near and coming and really going to happen! haha

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation for His continued, sustaining work in my husband’s soul and in his physical body. What a sweet gift to see Christ’s work before our very eyes and to hear of Brandon’s growing faith. So thankful for his leading of our marriage and our family, the way he guides my thoughts in thinking on the Cross of Jesus Christ often and rightly and Biblically. So thankful.

Day 42: Continuing on September 8, 2009

Today went well at the clinic for the ole’ hubbin! His blood counts are holding and looking good to the doctor and nurse practionier. They are beginning a different anti-fungal medicine that he will get through an IV at HOME! Someone is coming tomorrow to show us how to work that thing It will be fun and adventurous…. My first attempt at being a nurse!

 

We are living in the real world now, and that reality has hit home for me tonight. Our hearts need to be united in the Word daily, and Christ must be spoken to our child every hour. As Brandon has been feeling better and better, we have been living more and more of a regular, normal life together. I must not let my guard down to the WORLD! I just read Psalm 1:1-3 tonight, and I see the beautiful gifts of a blessed man in Christ.

 

“Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel

of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.”

 

A dear friend who is amongst harsh affliction physically reminded me of the delight I need to have in the law of the LORD. Amist her grave affliction, she clings to Christ, runs to the Word, longs for communion with our great God! While facing tough physical pain, her heart mimicks Psalm 112:6-7 “For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.”

 

I am, every single day, encouraged by one of God’s children. For His sake we were redeemed (Isaiah 43:25), and often for our sake (His glory) we watch those we love be tested through the fiery trials of affliction or sin or both and are bolstered ever more by their faith, their experience in the presence of the Almighty God. What an intimate, infinite God we serve. By GRACE, for His sake, we are His. And by grace, our good, we are His.

 

Day 38: Getting better September 4, 2009

The BK virus seems to be getting better, especially since Brandon doesn’t have to go back to the clinic until TUESDAY – hooray He’s feeling better, eating well, enjoying his baby boy, and serving his wife out of his love for Christ. His becoming more Christlike is such a treasure to watch.

 

Our dear friends are finishing up our bonus room at our home. Their unselfish service is blowing our minds. We are so thankful for their tireless and sacrificial efforts in loving us. We see more and more of Christ as we hear of the work they’re doing physically for our family… it is depicting the love of the brethren that each faithful believer has which is only given because Christ first loved us.

 

Pray for them as they spend one more week together before a trip Kirk will make overseas to Eastern Europe!!!! He’s basically backpacking and navigating a city he’s never seen, yet has an undeniable heart for. Pray that the Gospel would go forth UNVEILED to those whom Christ died for.

Day 34: Prayer for sleep August 31, 2009

My sweet husband needs some good rest! We prayed and prayed last night for the LORD to give him an extended time of sleep last night, and He answered! For the past few nights, Brandon has awakened almost every hour, either to toss and turn or to get up to use the bathroom. Still, two weeks out of the hospital, and a full night’s rest awaits to be fulfilled. Please pray for Brandon’s strength and for an extended time of sleep tonight.

 

In reading John this morning, I was reminded of the sweet message of the Gospel in Ephesians 2. The verse I’m meditating on in John is chapter 5, verse 21 – “For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives live to whom he will.” Thinking on the true meaning of eternal death and life, the Spirit brought me to Ephesians 2:1-7.

 

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the price of the power of the air, the spirit that is not at work in the sons of disobedience – among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carring out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasureable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

 

To be reminded again, daily, of what we have been saved from – destruction wrought by our own sinful flesh – and what we have been saved to – eternal life with Christ the King – is good for my soul. The reminder speaks into the REALITY of God. He is reality.

 

I often think about the question “Why did God save and redeem a people?” And Ephesians 2:7 is a sweet answer – “So that in the coming ages He might show the immeasureable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” FOR HIS OWN GLORY! Amen.

 

Brandon is still at the clinic, but we’ll know his counts soon! We’re going to go to the park today if Brandon’s still feeling up to it. It’s about 65 – 70 degrees right now and is a beautiful day! Has Fall come so soon? Can’t wait!

 

Our sweet friends and their parents are hard at work on our bonus room this week. They are FINISHING it for us, by the sweet power of Christ at work within them by grace. Their service to our family will never be correctly appreciated… it is God at work within them that causes them to love us so much. What a great God we serve to work through human beings to love and serve others.

 

 

Day 11: Our God is Strong August 8, 2009

This morning, the doctors came in and told Brandon that after his fever a few nights ago and after his blood cultures came back positive that he has a bacteria infection in his hickman catheter. As I type, they are taking out the hickman and placing a pick-line catheter in his room! The doctor, before leaving Brandon’s room this morning, said, “Most people would be very sick right now because of this bacteria infection. But you are strong.” And with that he left the room. Kirk looked at Brandon and said, “Our God is strong!” Oh amen! Praise the LORD.

 

Also, after having a red blood cell count of 24, they transfused him with 2 units of blood yesterday. This morning, his count was still 24. Brandon hemolyzed last night, and it concerned him that PNH was still a factor in his body. The nurse said that his liver could have filtered all of that blood out yesterday, leaving him with a low red blood cell count. All that was comforting to Brandon in this situation was God’s Word.

 

He read Psalm 112:6-7

“For the righteous will never be moved;

he will be remembered forever.

He is not afraid of bad news;

his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.”

 

Just this morning I read in John 5 where Christ heals the man who was plagued with lameness or paralysis for 38 years. The Word says in verse  8 “Jesus said to him, ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk.’” Christ’s words are valid; they are sure; they are truth – John 17:17 “‘Santify them in your truth; your Word is truth.’” His words are right – always true, always powerful, always just, always profitable for reproof. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” God’s Word is firm, steadfast, and will last forever.

 

Isaiah 40:6-8

“All flesh is grass,

and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.

The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it;

surely the people are grass.

The grass withers, the flower fades,

but the word of our God will stand forever.”

 

The LORD has dealt kindly with our family these past 4 weeks and has met with us in our desperate time of need. He alone deserves praise and honor and commending. He is strong, and He is our strength.

prayer July 26, 2009

^{1 Chronicles 16:11}

¹¹Seek the LORD and His strength;
         Seek His presence continually.

This is my prayer for Brandon. May the presence of our Lord be with him all the day long.

tomorrow’s exciting! July 26, 2009

I got an exciting twing this afternoon while sitting in Brandon’s dimly lit hospital room. “Tomorrow is transplant day,” I thought. “This could be the beginning of no PNH. Hooray!!!”

 

Today was more than words can describe. I haven’t been to worship with a congregation in two weeks, and this morning was a sweet treat to worship in song to wonderfully Christ-centered music and sit under the preached word where Christ was undoubted exalted. “Look to Christ! Think on Christ! Long for Christ-likeness!” were the themes of this morning, by grace. The pastor preached from Hebrews 12:1-3. He spoke on looking towards the joy and glory of eternity often – “looking to Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.” Christ-likeness is the goal of living; when temptation comes, and it will, look to Christ who endured all things on our behalf, who gave everyone whom He chose the Kingdom of God and His Father. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty!

 

One thing that was difficult today was Brandon not worshipping alongside us at Grace Community Church. Oh how I longed to have him sit by me and glory in his redeemer. May we be granted that privilege soon.

 

Brandon did get sick twice today, but he has slept most of the day. He has eaten hardly anything, and his stomach is very queasy. His counts continue to fall, and we are not sure at exactly what time the transplant will be. We do know it will be flown from overseas, possibly Europe, so it could be early to late afternoon before it arrives. The transfusion of the cells doesn’t take too long, but they will hook him up to monitor his heart during the process. We were able to make a few laps around his small wing, and I did most of the talking which is unusual! It was almost too much for him to just walk, but briskly did he walk!!! I had to push his pole and almost tripped several times on it. He did get a new pole because his other had these silly wheels. We now have a “turbo” pole, and it can get! haha

 

The Gospel still stands as my husband’s hope, by grace. God has granted us times to share – we are so thankful. Brandon’s dad is coming tomorrow to be with him during the transplant. Please pray that the Jesus would be our hope, and the song of our lives and that He would be exalted during this week.

a reality check April 22, 2009

“Come Weary Saints” is a collection of songs by Sovereign Grace Ministries which depicts suffering redeemed sinners clinging to Christ and thus wrestling with their temptations to cling to things opposite the Lord. When I first heard the cd I was puzzled, as I have again felt after spending a few weeks with it in our car cd player. Yes troubling times come and go, physical life waxes and wanes; in return, I bombard myself with the world to try and mend my heart, heal my husband’s body, and correct my sin… how wrong this is!

 

But what about when times are unusually mild, when the trials aren’t as personal, when the baby is napping during the day and things seem to be running “smoothly?” Isn’t that time a special grace from our Lord Jesus? Isn’t that to be a time of much rejoicing in our Savior for 1. being the Humble Servant on the Cross, 2. giving us such a peaceful and restful time, 3. ever reminding us of what we have been redeemed from? As I think on this and in a season such as this, may I truly cling to the Cross, oh Lord! May I never lackadaisically look upon my sin, upon my Savior, upon Eternity.

 

We are continuing upon the transplant. Brandon will go to meet with his doctor at Vanderbilt on Friday, May 8, for a check-up and to potentially talk with him about the preliminary donor search. We are excited to hear how the process is going!

 

Carter Brown is growing, has 5 teeth now, and pulls himself to every inch of the living room! It has been amazing to both of us to watch him grow, develop, and learn. He has been fussing lately; we don’t know if it is from defiance or what…. I told Brandon this afternoon, “we may have our hands full with Carter B!” But, may the Lord equip us with wisdom in lovingly discipling him as he grows and changes and, Lord willing, learns to fear the God!

it’s true March 26, 2009

Affliction is from the LORD. My friend reminded me that this is for God’s Name Sake alone, for the furtherance of His Almighty Kingdom. Oh how I attempt to have faith in myself, trust in myself, take things into my own hands, think upon myself as a source of strength and truth and ability. How frail and wicked and empty are my attempts. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). May all our hope be in Jesus, the Rock and the Salvation. “He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken” (Psalm 62:2).

 

Thank you for praying. May God receive the glory due His name. May our hearts be stirred in such a way that we cannot help but look upon Jesus. May our gaze be steadily on Him. May we rest in the joy of what His is. May we rest, rest, rest in the comfort of Christ as our Rock.

wisdom March 7, 2009

Mark 11: 22-25 ‘”Have  faith in God. ²³Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain,^‘‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but  believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. ²⁴Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you  have received  it, and it will be yours. ²⁵And whenever  you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

 

Many have prayed. Many have sought wisdom on our behalf, and we thank our LORD for you. Most importantly, we thank Christ for being so wonderfully perfect. He is all we need, all we can hope in, all we can find assurance in.  

 

Colossians 2:1-3 says ”¹For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, ²that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” What joy! What peace! In Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” There is no fear in life and no fear in death because of our Lord and Savior Jesus.

 

Last night, as we sat quietly before retiring, many strokes of reality became clear to me. Life is but a vapor, and God creates and sustains life, as well as ushers in death. Job 12:10 says, “In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.” In GOD’s mighty, sovereign, all-knowing hand are our lives and breath and every living thing…. Could we ask for more?

 

I’m sure more posts will result from our visit to the Vanderbilt Transplant Clinic on Friday. We heard confirming news that our new doctor recommends a bone marrow transplant. In the next few weeks, he will call Brandon back to re-confirm his recommendation after he meets with his physicians in his group (we are thankful for that) and to give Brandon a go-ahead for another round of chemotherapy called ATGAM. We haven’t been given the opportunity to tell our dearest friends about the visit, so we will take that chance and then post as we feel led!