October 23, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

Yesterday we received promising results from Shannon’s first bone marrow aspiration since June, and thanks be to God she is still in remission. Her type of cancer, although rare and with little data available, has a tendency to relapse despite it’s initial response to chemotherapy. But because of your prayers for Divine Intercession to occur through the doctor’s hands, her unique chemotherapy “road map” is like no other tried before for this particular type of cancer. I believe that due to the continual outpouring of your prayers this road map has been altered 3 times. (See previous posts for previous updates that mentioned the change of plan) Each time this happened there was no apparent reason other than the doctors’ opinions that, “after rethinking... we believe this change to be best”. I attribute their “rethinking” to God’s intervention.

Just this week was the 3rd time the chemotherapy road map was changed. After ‘rethinking” her regimen, Shannon’s doctors felt it best to begin a low dose of chemo through her spine at weekly intervals for the next month even though all chemo was due to end prior to the transplant. Please pray that God’s intervention and scientific advancement will continue to work together in keeping Shannon healthy.

Other than the God-given miracle of Shannon’s progress, and all the blessings that have been revealed to our eyes so far, we continue to experience God’s goodness. This time it is through our transitional housing at St. Casimir’s, 2712 O’Donnell St, Baltimore. This is the special bone marrow transplant housing that places us within minutes of the Hospital, which is important because of Shannon’s high risk of infection due to her compromised immune system. The housing is part of the organization “We believe in Tomorrow,” which provides housing and vacations for families who are experiencing life-threatening illnesses at Johns Hopkins ( www.believeintomorrow.org). In addition to being bright and cozy, we’re located on the end, which allows the sun’s light to stream inward all day. There is also a charming garden courtyard and a rooftop view of the harbor from which we’ve experienced exquisite sunsets.

Located within steps of St. Casimir’s Catholic Church (www.stcasimir.org), a stunning church, filled with artwork that is full of historical and theological significance, we are awed by it’s magnificence and the closeness we feel to Christ’s special presence inside. We couldn’t be more blessed than to hear the chime of the church bells hourly and to look out our window everday and see this church as a symbol of how close God has been and continues to be throughout this journey.

As we’ve marveled in God’s glory, we celebrated Shanon’s 18th birthday on Friday the 19th. Because of her severely compromised immune system, the festivities had to be kept to a quiet minimum, but they felt extra special after being enclosed in a hospital room for so long. Not completely free of the hospital, we have out-patient appointments 3 times a week that seem to take a better part of the day. But despite this, Shannon is determined to get caught up between out-patient visits and naps from exhaustion, so when she returns to school she can enjoy the 2nd half of her senior year. So please pray Shannon is open to God’s grace in helping her persevere with the studies that are needed.

By the way, flue vaccines are highly recommended for all those that would like to visit Shannon, but NOT the vaccine that’s sprayed in the nostrils. Exposure to this type will put Shannon in the hospital because it contains the live virus. Getting a flu shot would help minimize Shannon’s exposure.


God Bless,
Bonnie and Greg