Multiple Muscles

An army of 14 and 15 year old's from our church showed up tonight 

to do a service project-- some yard work at our place.

 The days leading up to and the day Byron was injured

we had cut, clipped and pruned and had three huge piles

that needed to be burned or dumped.

The boys all worked together to clean up the piles...

 and get much of it hauled away or burned.

They also pulled up two dead trees and sprayed for weeds.

Even though Byron was pretty much confined to his bed,

he has to be hugely relieved to have that taken care of.

The other big bonus is Byron's snowmobiling buddy, Stan Ray

(who helped oversee all those boys)

brought up this sweet little four wheeler for us to babysit at our house.

It has an electric start - so the girls and I can just start it right up

and give the Keanut man his "cycle ride" fix.

 Ours has a starter that just went out so it is pretty much impossible for us girls to start.

So this will save us (and our sanity) on those evenings when

Kean thinks he is dying if he doesn't get a ride.

You know as miserable as these challenges are in our life,

we have experienced more love, support and acts of kindness

than I can even begin to list.  I just mention the highlights

on this blog.   I wouldn't wish anyone in my shoes right now...

but I wish you could stand by me and see how much kindness

and love there is in this world.

I've said this so many times but I really mean it.

We sure are surrounded by giants.

Sigh.

I really should learn not to get my hopes up in here.

Kean seemed to be turning a corner this morning.

He didn't eat much but he seemed in better spirits.

Dr. Hansen came in and even hinted that if he kept progressing we might get

to break out of here tomorrow.  His counts are up to 350.

And Kean seemed in good enough spirits to pretend to read the paper (an article on a Leukemia breakthrough)

with Dr. Hansen.



 Unfortunately, as the day progressed he went down hill.

At lunch, he was so hungry and kept wanting food but he would just hold it in his mouth

until he had saliva pouring out of his mouth.  I don't think he swallowed anything.

He kept holding onto his head and his throat.

 At dinnertime, it was much the same, however, he did eat some mashed potatoes and a fruit slushee.

He hasn't even finished one bottle of milk or taken a single sip of water.

Not good for getting out of here.

By bedtime, he was Les Miserables.

We are almost certain the sores are down his throat.

He's back on hard core pain killers and after whimpering for an hour, is asleep.

I think I'll be joining him in whimpering my way to sleep tonight.

Poor little guy.

All was not dark today.

Byron went home to meet the girls' bus and found all these groceries on our island.

One of the nicest couples on the face of this earth, the Morley's dropped them off.

They figured rightly I don't get to the store very often.

Here I was feeling all down and discouraged and then, once again

someone near and dear surprises us with such an act of kindness, a phone call or a sweet note.

Early  on, I was promised the Lord would send angels to buoy me through this

journey.  I see them on a daily basis.