Day 1 – Praises + Prayers

Kisses before the hospital

We were sooo relishing in that extra night he had at home that when the hospital called us at 7am, we took our sweet sweet time packing and getting ready. Who wants to pack and rush into the hospital (unless you're having a baby) especially when you don't FEEL sick? Well, we received another call from the hospital at 11am asking us if we were coming because they HAD to get the bone marrow biopsy done before 12:15pm. We rushed to the hospital and had time to pray in the car. It was an emotional prayer and reality hit us that this whole thing was starting...I even considered asking him to drive us to Mexico or Canada to just run away. Obviously, we can't run from the disease but it felt like we could at that moment.

We arrived at the hospital and they checked him in immediately. The nurses actually remembered us and were so excited to meet Logan! It was sweet and comforting to know that they will take good care of Sasha while he's there.

Prepping for Bone Marrow Biopsy (Attempt #1)

He started his bone marrow biopsy with a cocktail of drugs to numb the pain...and wow, thank you Lord for modern medicine because he didn't feel a THING. Unfortunately, the doctor had to do it 4 different times in order to get a good sample (I had to leave the room after the 3rd time). We found out at that time that they needed to get the bone marrow sample to UCLA for testing by 2pm through a courier service. It was a little intense and they didn't anticipate doing it more than once so we actually aren't sure if they did receive the sample in time. We trust the God worked out the timing perfectly and we will see today!

Sasha's parents came to the hospital and it was a blessing to have them there so that they could watch Logan and keep him occupied. Logan did so well and didn't cry once, he ate, slept and was pushed around the hospital by Grandma! :)
Back to hubby....he was a little loopy after the biopsy and didn't realize that they did it four times! He was in a joyful mood and chatted with the nurses and made them laugh as usual. It was weird to reminisce about old memories at the hospital with them, but it was nice that they remembered him so well.

Grandpa and Logan in the family waiting room

Grandpa and Logan in the family waiting room

The nurses also put in his Picc Line (A PICC line is a long, thin, flexible tube known as a catheter. It’s put into one of the large veins of the arm, near the bend of the elbow. It’s then threaded into the vein until the tip sits in a large vein just above the heart. The line is usually sealed with a special cap or bung. This can be attached to a drip or syringe containing your medication. There may be a clamp to keep the line closed when it’s not being used. Sometimes, it divides into 2 or 3 lines. This allows you to have different treatments at the same time.) <-- thank you Google.
He had a Picc line in the last time for about a year and it was annoying but he got used to it. He's an old pro at it and didn't complain one bit! :)

Then his doctor came in and explained to us that the biggest hurdle right now is to get Sasha into remission. He will start chemo today (Sunday) for about 6 days. He will be recovering for 2-3 weeks and then we should know if the chemo worked. We will be begging and pleading with the Lord for the next 30 days to heal him and I know many of you will be doing that on our behalf as well.
By that time, I had to leave but his mom and dad were still there and his mom stayed the night with him! I'm not sure what happened between the hours of 5pm-8am but I assume a lot of nurses coming in and out to check on him (sleeping in the hospital is NOT an easy task).

Family Selfie - Before the Hospital

Family Selfie - Before the Hospital

Soooo, on to the praises and prayers.

PRAISE - that we have great medical care with great nurses who obviously love our family. PRAY - that God would give the doctors and nurses wisdom on how to treat this and administer the right dosage of medicine every single time.

PRAISE - Sasha feels good and healthy going into the hospital. PRAY - that he will continue to stay strong physically so that the chemo doesn't affect him too much.

PRAISE - that we are able to provide him good organic foods while he's there. PRAY - that we would not make his diet an idol and that we would never think that the food, supplements or oils is what keeps him healthy and safe. That we remember who our Great Physician is and that these things can help build his immune system but that it's not THE cure all.

PRAISE - for our church family, who have consistently shown us practical love since this entire thing started in April of last year. They've grocery shopped, dropped off dinners, lunches, breakfast, prayed, cried, encouraged and admonished us. PRAY - that God would give Sasha and I the opportunity to continue serving our church in the ministries we had to give up recently; that our Thrive group would stay united as a group and continue striving to grow closer to the Lord and closer to their spouses. That God would work out the details on who would lead them the rest of the year.

PRAISE - that we have our families so close to us! PRAY - that they will not grow weary of spending the night with me at home, Sasha at the hospital, running food from home to UCI everyday, running random errands and watching Logan.

PRAISE - that Logan is still young enough to not know what is going on and isn't able to ask questions or really really miss his daddy. PRAY - that Logan will get to know his daddy and know what an amazing man he is!

PRAISE - that we have a SOVEREIGN God who knows all things and knew this was to happen the moment He formed Sasha in his mother's womb. That His plans are much greater and better than ours and that we already see so much good that has come out of these trials PRAY - that we continue to trust His plans, continue to glorify Him in ALL that we do and praise Him in all circumstances.
"For this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." 2 Corinthians 4:17