This Is Hard

Remember these posts when Elena was first diagnosed with a relapse:                       

What we are thinking and saying...
and
How are we feeling...

Well, we have been thinking and feeling those same things again.

We feel like we have this huge looming deadline hanging over our heads.
We feel like we can not do everything we want and need to do.
We feel like we are living under so much pressure in so many ways.
We are tired.
We are dreading the long separation during transplant.
We are trying to balance school, work, and catching up on things that need to be done around the house with enjoying family time. Needless to say, it is challenging.

What lies ahead is CONSTANTLY on our minds.

We asked a friend whose son is six months post transplant (Praise God!) how she handled it all - her response (after laughing) was that she didn't handle it. She wisely said that "This isn't something you can handle. It is something you survive and you do whatever it is that helps you and Elena survive."

We are trying to survive.

Thursday, May 24th - Elena will have a bone marrow aspirate and a lumbar puncture at the clinic. She will then be admitted into the hospital (Scottish Rite) for high dose chemo Methotrexate that will be given via IV for a continuous 36 hours! 
They estimate she will be in the hospital for 4 days.

If her bone marrow test on May 24th comes back showing no leukemia cells, then we will proceed with the following schedule:

At this point, Elena will be transferred to Egleston. They do not perform bone marrow transplants at Scottish Rite.

Tuesday, June 5th - a consent meeting and evaluations
Wednesday, June 6th - more evaluations (heart, kidney, liver, lung function tests)
Tuesday, June 12th - sign consent forms and meet with radiation oncologist
Wednesday, June 13th - Liv's annual MRI
Monday, June 18th - admit into Egleston for bone marrow transplant
Tuesday, June 26th -  bone marrow transplant day!

We ask for your prayers.

THIS WEEK:
- for Thursday's bone marrow test to show 0% leukemia cells
- for Elena's body to be able to handle this week's upcoming chemo treatment
- for this week's hospital stay to really only be four days
- for Elena to experience NO nausea, mouth sores, or any other side effects from the chemo
- to enjoy the right now and not miss it because we are thinking ahead to what might be

LOOKING AHEAD:
- for God to prepare each of us to endure the stress of Elena's upcoming appointments, transplant and long hospital stay
- for us to be able to fill the days ahead with joy and focus on what we can do, not on what we can't

Thank you for helping carry us through with your prayers.
This battle is much bigger than last time, in different ways it is also much harder.
We are so thankful that many of you are standing firm and that you continue to be there for us.  Thank you for your steadfast love, prayers, and support!

In Him,
The Tates

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
Psalm 27:14