Day 1 Radiation Update:
Today was a good day! Kayleigh started the day a little timid and a lot nervous. The unknown of what radiation was and what it would require weighed heavily on her. Tim and I tried to reassure her, we prayed for her, we loved on her. And while she did her very best to not let us see she was worried we could still tell. She had labs today at 12:30, she generally doesn’t like being stuck for blood (I mean really, who does?) but she usually does well. Today it made her nauseous and very pale. Just more signs of her nervousness.
Fortunately, St. Jude has fantastic Child Life specialists who are wonderful about helping kids work through hard things. I told Kayleigh we would ask for Ms. A just as soon as we got to radiation and that made her feel better. But when we got to radiation Ms. A wasn’t there. Kayleigh’s little face just fell. Talk about feeling helpless… All I could think to do was pray. So I prayed over her out loud asking for peace and I sent a quick text to my mom to please pray for peace. She texted back immediately that she had alerted her prayer warriors. About that moment another sweet Child Life specialist came to talk with Kayleigh – and while she was really good, Kayleigh didn’t know her and it just wasn’t putting her at ease. And then – God showed up…
My phone buzzes with a text from my friend, B, that says “praying now”. At the same moment a nurse shows up that I don’t know but knows us. She is a nurse here at St. Jude but is originally from our town, Hartselle. She is a dear friend of Kayleigh’s Kindergarten teacher and the sister of Kayleigh’s pediatric nurse from when she was a baby. She steps right in – just talking about familiar people does what none of us could do – put Kayleigh at ease. The nurse, MB, tells us that she has been trying to catch up with us since we arrived the first time but just never caught us. So now we know why. God knew we would need MB today! She has no idea what an answer to prayers she was today. And since she is a nurse here she was able to go back with Kayleigh, get her settled, and then come back to us and let us know she was doing well. Thank you Lord for quickly answered prayers!
This road we are on is not an easy one but we know that God doesn’t make mistakes. We also know He has a plan for us and for our precious girl. We are praying bold prayers for big healing, but we are also praying prayers for the smaller things like peace in the day-to-day. And days like today, when God oh so clearly answers our prayers directly, we are reminded that He is always listening. So tonight I leave you with two verses I love very much. I pray they will encourage you as they are encouraging us!
Jeremiah 29:11-12
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Thank you for praying with us. Prayer list
1.) radiation continues without any unpleasant side effects
2.) for complete healing and a long, full life for Kayleigh
3.) specifically that radiation will not effect her hair noticeably (this is the big one that is bothering her)
Never doubt the Lord is listening! We love you all and thank you for your prayers.
‘Carrow 💜💜💜
This picture is right after treatment. She looks so big playing on her iPad drinking her Starbucks! Thank you to our friends for the Starbucks gift cards too!
