Day 10 (February 24)

Day 10: Today we're a tenth of the way through the hundred days! (My dad appreciates that he can break it down into easy percentages.)  :) On Thursday I read this verse to my kids and then read it again as a prayer for my mom/Laura:

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (First Peter 5:10-11)

The doctors meant what they said when they cautioned that there would be suffering. This has been a challenging few days. Laura is progressing well and her body is responding in a very normal manner to transplant, which includes a measure of hard and painful reactions. But these difficult bodily responses are coming from a body accepting foreign stem cells, and we are so thankful for this acceptance!

My dad and I were talking tonight about what to write in this update, and after conversing with him I really wanted to convey both the challenge of this experience and the very present need for prayer, coupled with an affirmation of just how faithfully God is caring and providing for my mom. We are so, so grateful that she has made it to where she is. She is brave and beautiful and faithful, just the like God she serves. She is a testimony to us every day of perseverance, patience, faith, hope, and eager, eager expectation for the joy that comes after suffering. She's doing a hard thing and we're incredibly proud of her.

The biggest area of prayer right now is a bacterial infection that has entered her blood stream - quite mercifully, there was a strain of the bacteria present before the transplant and so the Infectious Disease Superheroes have been able to create from that a strong antibiotic uniquely suited to fight the infection. It is from this infection that the fever stems as well as other discomforts. 

The other big prayer need is for throat and mouth and digestive functions to all just calm down so she can eat and drink. We KNOW these side affects are normal, but I'm asking God for a healing touch, for healing to come to her body so that she can eat and be nourished, drink and be satisfied, and rest and be restored. 

Restore her, Lord. Confirm her, Lord. Strengthen her, Lord. Establish her, Lord. Please heal her in the mighty name of Jesus.