Third times a charm?

Welp, I've tried to write this blog 3 times now. Ha! It's been different each time and for some reason the website kept deleting it. So we will give it another go ;)

We have officially completed week 1 of the dreaded phase 4 cycle (delayed intensification). In one week Cooper has had a spinal tap, had his port accessed 3 times, received 5 different chemo infusions, completed a weeks worth of steroids, had to start insulin shots back up to support his body with those dang steroids and his energy has been zapped yet again.

It all kicked off on Good Friday. Addy decided to skip school that day and join us. We've decided anytime the girls want to be with their brother for treatments the answer is definitely, YES. When I woke Cooper up and told him she was coming he got a big smile on his face and said, "Yay! I was going to ask her to come with me today".

Oh what a blessing that was to have her there with us! Addy has such a gift of "seeing" people and she brings such a calming, steady presence to the room. Cooper's anxiety was so much lower having her there. She brought a sense of normalcy with her as they played roblox in the waiting room, made jokes and laughed in the pre-op room. This was the first time she was able to be in the operating room with us as they put him to sleep. I held one of his hands and she held the other as he drifted into his "drug nap".

Easter weekend was wonderful. I was unsure of what it would look like for us this year but Cooper was able to participate in almost everything and overall felt fairly decent. I was super emotional just feeling the raw emotions of the reality of what Easter means and all the parallels that we are living on a day to day basis.

Cooper's Papa Rick gave a honoring and powerful shoutout to Coop at our Easter lunch. He shared Ecclesiastes 4:12 "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken". He encouraged Coop by acknowledging the giants he is facing right now and all of the hard things he's having to overcome. He presented him with a cord of 3 strands symbolizing just how strong he is. Not by his strength alone but with God and people by his side this kid is not going to be easily broken!!

We all needed the reminder of the hope that Easter brings.

Our 4 kids live a fairly active lifestyle and people typically cringe when they see what our calendar looks like. Overall, we have been able to coordinate it in a way that we don't miss out on much. Piling cancer treatments on top of an already busy schedule, well that's been the jenga piece that makes it all come crashing down at times. This was one of those weeks.

Both David and I have been able to be at every one of Cooper's doctors appointements and chemo treatments, until yeseterday. Me and Coop were on our own for this one while David is traveling with Bria for her first out of state basketball tournament! He was NOT thrilled about this day. We missed David's reassuring strength that he brings, also being our driver to the hospital :)

My heart was heavy yesterday too as Addy competed in her last dance competition of the year by herself. No mom or dad in the audiance to cheer her on and give her a big hug as she exits the stage. Instead, Coop and I watched it on my phone as he sat there receiving his chemo and David watched it from Texas. I'm grateful for technology yet I felt the loss that this brings on many different levels. My mama heart hates missing ANYTHING.

I can tell mentally, Cooper is already way better today than he was yesterday. I think knowing he gets a week off from steroids and a full week until his next chemo treatment gives him a sense of relief.

We are in the thick of the "middle".

Please continue to pray for protection over Cooper's organs as he processes all of these intense medicines he is getting and that the medicine is working to its full potential to heal him completely! Pray for his mental health to hold onto hope, still be able to find and experience joy through a long and grueling journey (actually please pray that one for all 6 of us!). Pray for wisdom for David and I as we not only navigate this with Cooper but also still show up and be present for our girls. I know we can't always be there for everything, yet I don't want to miss any opportunities that come our way.

I wouldn't trade being their mom for anything!

Thank you oh so much for your continued check-in's, prayers, love and support. It pushes us forward when our feet feel too heavy to take another step.

Much Love 🧡🧡🧡