June 7th, Day +42

Today didn't go exactly as we had hoped.  Our morning rounds brought news that Hunter's hemoglobin was down to 6.3.  Anything below 8 on our floor gets a blood transfusion.  One unit of blood should bring up his hemoglobin one number, so he got two units today.  We all were wishing that his number would have climbed on its own after two bags of IVIG and four big steroid shots.  Hunter is making lots of good blood, just his "marker of destruction"was only down a little from the day before.  Since he had such a strong response the first day's treatment, a little progress was a disappointment.  We didn't get bad news, just not excellent news.  A quick fix up job and back to recover in the RV was running through all of our minds.  That might not be God's plan for us.  Thankfully, we know that there is medication, and more importantly prayer, that will get him back in line.  

With Hunter's glowing clinic report from last Friday fresh in our memory, the abruptness of this current setback is taxing mentally.  Friends, this is HARD.  The hardest thing I've ever witnessed, to be more exact.  Hunter opened his Bible to the Psalms and we gathered around him and prayed for strength for the battle he still has left to fight.  His Bible has some new tear stains, and we let out some pent up feelings that felt good to express.  Then, we texted and called some faithful friends to uplift us.  After lunch and a good nap, we all felt better.  I can't even begin to describe the admiration I have for Hunter, and his continued will to get better in the face of lots of suffering.  He's lived out faith for many years now, and I'm proud to be his wife.  The power of prayers is very evident.  We went from distress to peaceful rest in the span of a few hours.  To those of you who prayed for us this afternoon, this evening, and in the future--we are grateful.

Hunter's IV started to get sore, so the IV team came to start a new one this evening.  A new fresh IV and the knowledge that his last one made it almost 4 days was a relief that we can again avoid a central line and all its complications.  He had already had two failed IV attempts earlier in the week, hence his swollen left hand.  Yay for Paul on the IV team.    

Pictured above is one of my heros.  Hunter's Aunt Diann has made the hour long drive from Cisco every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning and evening for the almost 8 weeks we've been in Houston.  She is as selfless of a person as you will ever meet, with a heart and lap full of love for our boys.  I hear so much jabber about Di Di on Facetime.  She has the patience of a saint.  Benton, Caleb, and Clayton have coped so well with all the changes in their little lives, and my mommy heart is so thankful for Diann and my parents who have been able to keep consistency and predictability for them.  Being away from them is terrible, but made much easier knowing the boys are happy and loved every moment of the day.  

Facetime smiles:)

Aunt E picked him up from swim lessons and just happened to stop by a bakery.  No complaints from Benton.

  As you can probably tell, this was an emotional day.  As we begged and pleaded for strength and perseverance this morning, it was granted.  We ask for even bigger prayers today--for a remarkable increase in his hemoglobin, for the antibodies to back off, and for a measure of comfort for all of us down here in Houston.  We know we don't fight this battle alone.  As always, please pray for Hunter to stay free from infection.  Steroids further decrease his ability to fight infection, so this is always on our minds.  Love to all of Team Hanner.