To Whom Shall We Go?

The doctors have determined that Anya had a viral infection that did get in her lungs and a bacterial infection that originated in her port. The viral infection is under control; she has been fever free for a couple days now. However the bacterial infection that is in her port and therefore entering into her blood stream has not been eradicated.

The doctors know that the bacteria respond to the antibiotic in the lab so they are assuming that the med is just having difficulty clinging in the port and therefore not killing the source of the infection. They are now making a special effort to keep the antibiotics in the port for longer periods of time with the hope that it will kill the source of the infection. The doctors are willing to try this for a few more days but if it is not successful the port will have to be removed. We desperately do not want to have the port removed because it would require several additional procedures and extra "pokes" for a little girl who is already terrified & uncomfortable.

The second phase of treatment was scheduled to start this past Monday. Because Anya was ill with fever it has been postponed until this Monday. We are also hoping that the infection can be cleared with the new steps the doctors are taking so we can move on with her treatment. We are also hoping that Anya's body will respond well to the new drugs once they do begin, that she will be comfortable, and that she will not have to return to the hospital until she needs to do so for the portion of her chemo that requires it.

Thank you so much to those of you who have been praying for Anya. I know that it could be discouraging that seemingly God is not answering so many of the specific prayers that we are praying. No one wants Anya to be healed more than Israel or me. But like Peter I say, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life...we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (John 6:68)! Jesus is our comfort, our shield, our fortress, and our hope - without Him we are nothing! And while I trust that Anya will survive this I know that if even if she doesn't we have an even greater hope. We don't have to face death like those who do not know God for we would one day be reunited with Anya in eternity. And so I implore you to continue to stand with us, to beseech the Creator of heaven and earth on Anya's behalf for complete healing, and to come to know Jesus more with us as we all make this journey together.