Thursday 16 February 2017

For I know the plans I have for you...

Wow!  It has been a long time since I last posted!  It seems the farther we get away from the cancer diagnosis, the smaller our circle of sharing has become.  I am happy to report that things have been going well for Justin, and for us all. Although I didn't think there was anything note-worthy to write about, I guess to those of you who only get your information from this blog, that could have been slightly worrisome.  My apologies to you. 😔

In the last year, there has been a lot going on around here.  In May of last year, Justin decided to be baptized!  What a joy it was for me to see him take this bold step in his faith!  A proud Mom moment!

Justin also turned 16 last August and about a month ago got his driver's license!  He and Ryan bought a car together; yes, they are sharing!  They have named her Hillary, as she was owned by an older woman and is a very nice pantsuit grey. They crack me up! 😂  So far, the sharing is going well.

Justin is in Grade 11 and is just a couple of weeks into his second semester. He is taking Chemistry, History, LA and Band. Last semester he took Pre-Cal, Physics and Biology and did really well; ending up on the honour roll!  Another proud Mom moment!

Justin continues to have MRIs and chest x-rays every three months (he had them today), and to date these remain clear!  Praise be to God!  Late last year, we did find out through blood work, though, that his kidneys have suffered damage from the chemotherapy.  It is said to be Stage 2 kidney failure, which sounds really bad, but for right now all this means is that he has to drink plenty of fluids to keep his kidneys flushed and he cannot have ibuprofen.   This is in hopes that the damage will not progress further, or at the very least, progress slowly.  He was pretty shaken by this news, as was I. Although it doesn't seem to be an imminent threat, the possibility is there that it will progress.  It took a few days for the news sink in, but I don't think he worries about it too much right now. He is, however, making sure he drinks more water so he is doing his part.  As for me, I trust that God got Justin through the cancer and will get him through this too.  In Jeremiah 29:11 God says, "For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm, plans to give you hope and a future." He has big plans for my boy!

So for now, things are great!  Justin is happy and healthy and exploring different options for his future. Although his mind changes fairly often, there has been talk of him becoming a pediatric oncologist.  It would be a very long road for a guy who has already traveled a long, hard road - but I have no doubt that whatever he decides to do, he will succeed!  As I said before, God has big plans for my boy! 💙