On the Mark, Get Set.....

The bi-weekly routine that we have gotten used to over the past number of months was interrupted this week. Markus’ doctors determined that rather then starting his 6^th round of chemo on Monday, it would be postponed to today (Thursday). The reason is that they have scheduled a PET scan for May 19^th and the results are best with a maximum number of days as possible without his “G-shot” (medication to boost his white blood cells).

Markus made the most of the extra days at home and spent some time with his Opa converting an old shed into a storage facility for On the Mark Maintenance. Working on this has been a great distraction for Markus! We are so thankful that his energy levels are such that he can work on these small projects. Throughout the past few weeks we have also been contacted by Make-a-Wish. They have granted Markus a wish and he’s been thinking about that a fair bit. While the anticipation of such a large gift is unexpected and humbling, it is quite amazing to see how it also ensures that Markus’ attention is diverted from dwelling on the unanswered questions associated with a terminal diagnosis.

This is all not to say that we gloss over the gravity of Markus’ long-term prognosis. We know that Ewing Sarcoma is aggressive and serious. But we also know that God is eager to hear our prayers for his full recovery. In his first letter the apostle John writes, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” While God may certainly hear our prayers and answer differently than we may like, we know that Markus’ future, indeed the future of all of us, is according to His plan, and for our good.

This is especially comforting to us as we head into the next week or so. Immediately following this round of treatment Markus will go through two days of tests and scans after which the medical staff will discuss his treatment moving forward. We will meet with Dr. Rod and his team, Lord willing, next week Friday to go over the scan results and hear what the next steps will be. Please join us in pleading with God to be merciful and grant favourable test results that lead to the best possible outcome.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Pulling nails before repurposing the wood

Finished! 

Getting checked in for a six-day stay at the hospital. Happy National Nursing Week to all the great staff on the 8^th floor at BC Children’s!