Chandra's Journal
October 14, 2005…
Another appointment in Houston came and went this week. We’re back home after flying down on Tuesday, visiting with the transplant team on Wednesday, and flying back yesterday. Just me, Canon, and Creed on the flights… I’m sure the other passengers were real excited to see us! Actually, we received several compliments from other passengers about how good the boys did on the airplane. And thank goodness that Mom was able to meet us in Houston and help. There is no way I could’ve done it myself with both of them!
The appointment went well; it was basically just checking in with everybody. We met with the whole team again, except Dr. Goss (the surgeon) because he was DOING a transplant at the time. (I felt twinges of wanting to watch one, then I said to myself ‘Self, are you KIDDING me???’) Dr. Karpen had four other doctors with him that wanted to see Canon because they thought he was an “interesting case”. I can’t remember if they were interns, or residents, or fellows, or what – but they were young doctors I’m sure! They all wanted to feel Canon’s liver and spleen (Dr. Karpen said it was slightly larger than last time – not a surprise). The only noteworthy thing that came up was the issue of live virus vaccinations. In our case, the chicken pox vaccine, varicella. Canon was scheduled to get the varicella and flu vaccines this morning, which he did (Creed had three shots, too- it was a sad outing!). However, because the vaccine is a live virus, it would be very dangerous to transplant him while the virus is still in his system. So basically, we need to give him time to be sure that virus is absolutely out before we transplant. He’s staying on the list, but they won’t consider him for a liver before he’s had a few weeks to get rid of that virus. Four weeks is what they’re thinking we need to give him. Drew and I were both initially disappointed at the news (just another example of the ups and downs we’ve been riding the whole time), but the consequences of him contracting chicken pox while on immunosuppressant medicines are life-threatening. Even if he is EXPOSED to chicken pox after transplant, he might have to be hospitalized to receive IV antiviral medications. So, he definitely needs the vaccine, but can’t get it after transplant, so there was no other choice. Oh well, God has worked the timing out so far and I’m at peace that He is still working on it. Maybe the liver that would have been offered next week would not be the best one, so He threw this chicken pox wrench in the gears. My friend Teri has always said, “Only God can work out all these timing issues,” with Creed’s pregnancy and birth and being listed and now this. It’s all in God’s hands.
I am daily shocked, at the very least, at the response that we’re getting to help with Canon’s fundraising. I could never have foreseen all the energy from people, some complete strangers, to help raise money. From big things like Nelda’s Styling Center in Abilene doing “Cuts for Canon” where they will donate every dollar for four hours to Canon’s fund… to seemingly little things like Kesley Pharis (I think she’s 6 years old) having a lemonade stand in her yard and asking everybody who knocks on their door if they will give money for Canon’s transplant. We had a fall festival at church last weekend that was a great success thanks to the McIntoshes, Cheryl Evans, and several other workhorses. It raised about $6000! Stephanie Young in Midland organized a big bowling tournament and silent auction for him down there. One of Dr. Young’s nurses, Terri, told me this morning that Bonham Middle School here in Amarillo is having a hat day TODAY all for Canon. One of my mom’s students down in Austin, Derek, is taking orders from everyone at his church for bracelets for Canon. Evidently there’s a clown that entertains out at the drag races here in Amarillo that took up a collection at the races for Canon; when I asked Dr. Young what his name is, he said “Pokey the Clown!” Lincoln Middle School in Abilene (where Charlie used to be principal) had a garage sale for Canon last weekend that raised over $5000… a garage sale! Madeline Grall, a NEIGHBOR of our friends, the Moore’s, asked her friends to give money for Canon instead of bringing her presents for her birthday. And no, she didn’t turn 30; she turned NINE! I mean, the stories are rolling in all the time about people whose hearts have been so touched by God, through Canon. I told Charlie in an email today, I feel like Canon is like Nemo in the movie, Finding Nemo. There’s this one part where the whole ocean is talking about Marlin’s (the dad) search for his son and everybody (everyfish?) in the ocean is trying to find Nemo. Is that ridiculous?? If you don’t know why I feel like that, take a look at Canon’s guestbook on the website! There are 30 pages of people who have been touched in one way or another by his story, our journey, something. There has to be a plan here somewhere.
I don’t have my Bible with me right now to quote a scripture exactly. But on one of the flights the boys and I were on yesterday, I could see between the seats in front of me a devotional book that a lady was reading. I couldn’t read anything on the page except these words of Jesus after Peter stepped out of the boat and then fell into the waves (because it was in a larger font):
“Oh ye of little faith, why did you doubt me?”
When I saw it, I just thought, “Okay God, I hear you.”
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