Prayer requests-Jeannie

Day 6: Yesterday was probably her best day yet. She had an appetite and ate a lot for lunch and dinner. No complaints of stomachaches or pain. She's walking more on her own and trying to catch Selah around the house. Selah and Sophie's laughter calms me for a few moments and makes me think we can be normal.

Day 7: At the proton therapy center today and it hits me at random times that our family life now is about this cancer. It really is surreal. To keep my sanity at times, I hold Selah each day and snuggle with her. She misses me and I feel her needing me.

Prayer requests: Today is Sophie's first chemo treatment downtown. We have our clinic visits downtown at Lurie Children's Hospital every Tuesday right after the proton therapy. It's a long day with long drives so please pray for strength. I am nervous about the effects of the chemo (vincristine) and don't know what to expect. Jason and Selah are leaving Thursday for my sister-in-law's wedding. Sophie and I are disappointed that we're not able to go especially after going through make up trials with her over Thanksgiving. Plus, Sophie was supposed to be a flower girl with Selah. It's sad not only because we'll miss the weekend with family and seeing Cindy in her dress marry Uncle Boo Boo, but because Sophie won't have that memory later on. And this girl remembers everything. She has a better memory than Jason and me.

Please pray for Cindy and Bob's wedding, safe travels for Jason and Selah, and a calm heart for Sophie, that she won't feel left out. But we have planned a visit to her school on Friday so she's excited to see her friends and teachers. So pray that she will have a fun day with her friends and she won't notice any limitations. Sophie has lost 2.5 pounds since the initial operation in December. Her weight now is 35.5 pounds and she is all skin and bones. This is a huge concern as we still are not even halfway through the radiation and chemo hasn't started.

Please, please pray that she will eat more, not have any stomachaches, and that she'll even have minimal side effects from all the treatments. Her hair is going to fall out soon and I've spoken to her about it a few times, but until it actually happens, I don't know how she will react. She uses her hair as a soothie so pray that we will figure out a different way to soothe her. I need ideas on how to do this and am very nervous about her reaction.

Lastly, please pray for Jason and me. We've read blogs about other families going through cancer and they've recommended taking care of your marriage. We are so opposite in our communication skills, but so far it's been alright. We don't only need time to talk and catch up but we need to love each other as our first response instead of becoming impatient.

Thank you for all your prayers. We covet them and it helps during the long days. All the texts, emails, messages strengthen us and remind us we are not alone or forgotten. We love our little girl but know God loves her even more than we do.