Surgery successful!

Thank you everyone for your prayers. We are back in our room and Joella is resting in a snuggly nest of stuffed animals, pillows and blankets. Joella's surgery to place a port-a-cath, lumbar puncture with chemo injection and bone marrow biopsy went well, no major issues. Praise God! She has some oozing from some of the sites, but not too bad. She was able to drink apple juice from a straw right after the surgery, and one of her first words was "O's!" Cheerios have been her staple food since she's been here. She shovels them in by hand and they end up all over her bed, in her diaper...

We saw God's grace in a big way in the timing of her surgery. Yesterday they made it sound like we would be waiting around most of the day for whenever they could work her in. She wouldn't be able to eat or drink all day. Last night at 11:30 p.m., Joella woke up and I helped feed her a "midnight snack" of cheerios, string cheese and milk. When they took her down to anesthesia at 8:30 a.m., she had not even asked for food or drink yet. God's grace. I was a little surprised for her to be called so quickly, but I was able to carry Joella down by myself and be with her before the surgery. Joel and my parents arrived toward the end of the surgery to wait with me. God gave me overwhelming peace while waiting, and I was able to read some of your sweet notes and emails on my phone while in the waiting room.

This port in her upper right chest is covered by skin, and they can access it to draw blood or give medications or IV fluids. They've already drawn several tubes of blood, and Joella slept through it. This will make her life so much easier. Blood draws have been pretty traumatic so far. When she goes home, it will just look like skin with a bump underneath.

Continue to pray for wisdom as we talk with doctors and make treatment decisions today. We desperately need wisdom and simple, clear direction. The information is very overwhelming at this point.

Lots of smiles

First of all, I want to thank everyone who has called or emailed with words of encouragement and prayers and to those who have provided meals and childcare. I'm sorry I'm not able to respond to every note and email right now, but know that your words and prayers mean so much. We truly feel God carrying us through this trial. I heard a quote recently that God's grace is like water, naturally flowing to the lowest valleys. Even though there are moments that seem impossible and overwhelming, God's grace is even more overwhelming than the difficulties.

Today has been a day for Joella to regain strength before her surgical procedures tomorrow. She received more blood transfusions and platelets to get her blood counts up to safe levels. She has continued to spike fevers up to 104.8, but so far no infections have shown up in her blood cultures.

Joella has been awake more today, flashing lots of smiles to us and to visitors, doctors and nurses. She seems to be getting used to the routine of nurses checking her vitals, and she doesn't cry as much. Her favorite toy is the thermometer the nurses use. Her Nana brought by her baby doll with a hospital gown today, and Joella is enjoying playing doctor with her dolly.

We received a handmade blanket today from Project Linus. I actually helped make one of these blankets for sick kids at a recent MOPS meeting. For all of you MOPS mommas, they really mean a lot. Thank you for helping to provide comfort and warmth for kids like Joella going through serious illness.

Prayer requests: Please pray for her surgical procedures tomorrow: port-a-cath placement, bone marrow aspiration, and lumbar puncture with chemotherapy injection. Pray for Joel and I for wisdom and clear direction from God as we make decisions about her treatment. Pray for us to see God's wonders and glory.