"Through"

Dr. Boaz's office called today. The tests came back on the spinal fluid they drew Friday. Looks like there are some bacteria cultures. They want to do a second tap of his shunt on Wednesday to check if there is an infection. So back to Riley we go.

Here's what my info from Dr. Boaz on shunts says: "Infections of this type are caused by a child's own bacterial organisms; it is not acquired from exposure to other children or adults who are ill.... Infections are most likely to occur one to three months after surgery... the shunt infection must be treated immediately to avoid life-threatening illness or possible brain damage.... In the event of an infection, the child is given a course of antibiotic therapy and usually the entire shunt is replaced."

Please pray that there is not an infection. But if there is, we are in Good hands. Doesn't seem this shunt has been working so well anyway. Maybe a new shunt will do the trick. Only God knows and Owen is in His hands. Pray for wisdom for Dr. Boaz in determining the best course of treatment for Owen. And strength and wisdom for us in the decisions we will have to make for our little boy. 

In other news... Eric had his latest oncology check up and praise the Lord, everything looks good. His AFP number is mysteriously up again to 8.8. The doctor is not concerned. Dr. Einhorn (Lance Armstrong's doctor) told him anything under 20 can be considered normal even though "they" say it "should" be under 6. So good news. Mysterious, but good news. He goes back to routine three month check ups. Thanks for your prayers for him. 

Last night we went to Berne for a benefit concert for Agape Recpite Care. Eric's dad sang in the FMC quartet. My friend Jen Fosnaugh's brother Ryan sang in the other quartet, Psalm 100. It was a great night of gospel music. It was a lot of fun to see so many of the people I love in Berne. We took Owen with us, but left Liam and Kate at my parents' to play with my brother and sister. All this to say Randy Kistler from FMC sang a beautiful song that I had never heard before (by the Gaithers). It hit home with us last night. Thought we'd share the lyrics with you... 

“Through”

When I saw what laid before me
Lord, I cried, what will you do?
I thought He would just remove it
But He gently led me through
Without fire there’s no refining
Without pain no relief
Without flood there’s no rescue
Without testing no belief

Through the fire
Through the flood
Through the water
Through the blood
Through the dry and barren places
Through life’s dents and maddening mazes
Through the pain
And through the glory
Through we’ll always tell the story
Of a God whose power and mercy
Will not fail to take us through