Day 53- NO MORE HIDING
We got discharged late yesterday after finishing the last day of chemo. His pain seems to have gotten more managed, and now we are just watching and waiting for the next round. Making sure there are no signs of infection, administering his meds, and tracking his weight gain.
Along with starting more chemo, we've also adjusted his schedule for scans and will be going in for an ultrasound every 2 weeks to track the tumor. We are praying and hoping to see nothing but progress over the next couple of weeks until we're back in the clinic. MIRACULOUS progress.
Before we left the hospital we finally took baby pictures with our friend Harmony Blackwell. We had been meaning to do it at his one month mark, but unfortunately the day before the session we were in the hospital finding out that he had cancer. For all of our family sessions we like to be captured as we are, in our chaos, in our reality. And in the past that's just meant wrestling wars in bed, messy breakfasts, races through the house... simple chaos. Now it means cancer, tubes, medicines, and pain. An awful lot of pain. I resisted the idea of going ahead with his pictures for a long time. I kept thinking the tube was almost out, we were almost done. And then I realized I was missing out by just focusing on tomorrow. I was missing out on all the things about his 2.5 month little self that I will soon miss as he grows a little more. So, we didn't wait for everything to be perfect. We captured the today. The NOW. In the Cancer Center where he's spent more days of his life than home. With the tubes that are part of his body. In the hallway right outside our room that took us to every procedure, every test, everything. All the places that are part of the beginning of his life, his story. We kept him naked or in a simple onesie for most of the session. We didn't hide hide his scars or his tubes. We didn't hide our tears, our grief, and our fears.
We haven't gotten all the pictures back yet, but I had to share one of the previews that we got so far. My little warrior, my little heart. He's just so awesome.
DAMMIT CANCER. YOU. WILL. NOT. WIN.
Comments (13)
I absolutely love the picture and can't wait to see the rest. It is astounding how "normal" and happy he looks. He adores his Momma...and his Momma adores him. Prayers are being lifted up for that miraculous progress by the Jank family!
Fight on, Mama! The look of courage and grit on his cute little face...I love it! Redden couldn't be surrounded by more love and support, or more passion and determination in his fight against cancer. I loved your post about the beads of courage. And know that every drop of milk you provide him is so very valuable. Praying for you all. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. (2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV) I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13 NIV) Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV)
Love the pictures. Love the updates. Red will win!!!
He's just so darn cute!! Continued prayers...
That is such a great picture!!! Your faces say it all. We will not give up!!!!
You guys are fierce! Dont mess with that boy!!! Beautiful
Go Redden, Go!!!! You can do it!
You're a warrior too Beri. Your entire family has shown such incredible courage and strength, Redden was definitely born into the right tribe for this fight. Hoping every day that the tumor is shrinking, Redden's pain is diminishing, and that you are on the road to only good news.
This is seriously the best photo. I love the spunk and spirit on Red's face... and the love for his mama. Praying hard for you, Red. You can do this!!!
Shafts of light pour out as the darkness is consumed by laughter and life! Your cheerleaders out here believe in you both - we are praying for miraculous recovery from the Light Maker!
Beri, This picture is worth "more than a thousand words"! He definitely knows you and that smile is adorable. Actually, all three of you smiling is a joy to see! God bless you all.Thank you for sharing, and may our Lord heal his little body perfectly as God wills.
Praying for you all