Letters from Lynette and James, 12/04/2006

December 3, 2006

Dear Friends,

"Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit" says the Lord. (Zechariah 4:6) This is the song that keeps ringing in my head today. I sat by Sydney while she was in pain and sang it to her. There is no way I could do this without the Spirit of God working in me. Therefore I have no doubt He is hard at work in me. I am encouraged to press on, praise His name, be thankful in all things, continue to hope and seek His Holy face.

Sydney has continued to be in pain. We gave her medicine for her bone pain and it was successful, but her stomach has now been in excruciating pain. She said that she prefers the bone pain over the stomach pain. We discontinued the bone medicine and they are testing to see if she has an infection in her stomach. We are trying to encourage her and manage the pain. Thankfully we have our incredibly wonderful family here exhausting themselves to help us and Sydney. I have hope that Tuesday when we start chemo the bone pain may get better. I don't know about the stomach pain. Who knows if this pain is what kept us searching and testing so we could look for an infection that needed to be taken care of before we start the bone marrow transplant process. I constantly wrestle with finding an explanation that I know I may never find. I do know that God is in control.

We receive and read everything that is sent via mail and e-mail. You don't know how much I would like to respond to each of you personally. We appreciate all you are doing for us. We realize it is difficult for you to be part of this. It would be so much easier for you go about your own business and not endure the pain with us. But not only have you endured it, you have jumped in and served us in so many ways. You have been such a light and encouragement to us all.

We love you and thank you,

Lynette

December 4, 2006

I just finished reading what Lynette wrote. When Lynette says pain, she means our little girl is screaming and crying for hours, saying "Daddy it hurts so bad." They are giving her so much narcotics to help with the pain that her breathing stops. The drugs are only taking the edge off. Lynette remains calm and gentle as waves of pain pound Sydney. She talks her through it with such confidence and reassurance, that I even began to believe she knows what she is talking about. I, on the other hand, call every doctor and nurse on the floor. Lynette and our family will rub Sydney's body all night long. They say her bone pain should diminish once we get enough chemo in her.

Lynette remains confident in the Lord, and He has truly sustained us in what seems like Hell. Psalms 139:8, "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." I know this isn't hell, but it's horrible.

As bad as it is, it has never crossed Sydney's mind to give up. Her immune system is close to or at zero, because her bone marrow is shot. They are planning on starting chemo tomorrow. The transplant is set for December 13. We are constantly in danger of something throwing us off schedule. They are running tests today and are concerned because she looks worse and there is fluid in her lungs.

Last week we learned her fungus has improved enough that they can use a strong round of chemo. That was a huge answer to prayer.

Grateful to you,

James

Answered prayers

They can use a strong round of chemo.
We are confident in our Savior and are at peace (most of the time).
Sydney is not fearful.

Please pray . . .

For a complete healing.
That we make it to transplant and that it is successful.
That we all remain confident in Christ.

P.S. They just did an electrocardiogram, and something is not quite right. Please pray that the fluid and whatever else is a problem goes away quick and it doesn't slow us down.