A plea

As I have been writing out my goals for the new year, we've had some events happen in our family that really put life in perspective. Some of you may remember these two posts from October about my beautiful cousin and her husband...: I'm gonna love you through it and this one about my race and an update on him.


Things have been up and down ever since. There have been triumphs and setbacks. There have been questions without answers, and hope in the face of discouragement. Holidays have come and gone, and his prognosis has gone up and down. But right now, things are not looking so good.

Right now, Josh is in the highest level of ICU, on a ventilator. He has been getting so SO sick between chemo treatments--extremely high fevers, all sorts of problems, and the doctors have been baffled. Unable to find answers. Today, they finally figured out he has HLH, an extremely rare disease that complicates fighting his cancer even more. He just finished what was supposed to be his last round of chemo a couple of weeks ago, but with this new diagnosis, he must be started on an aggressive 9 week treatment program of chemo and steroids right away. Here's what Megan wrote today:


Josh's heart rate went crazy last night. His lungs are filled with liquid. His body is super swollen from all the liquid that is inside him from meds. He has gained 25-30 pounds in water weight. They put a tube down his throat that will breathe for him. Also they are controlling his blood pressure. He has a feeding tube and a catheter. He has pneumonia. Many have asked what they can do; please pray for my sweet husband. There will be a fast for him from lunch today to lunch tmrw for those who would like to join. My heart is full of gratitude for the prayers and love that have been given to us. I love you Joshua!

Please, if you are willing to, pray for my cousin and her husband. She's been told that they will have to take it day by day, and there are no guarantees right now.

I've been trying to come up with goals about writing, parenting, exercise, finances and more. His only goal right now is to survive. To live. To beat the monster that is cancer. How often do we take for granted the supreme gift of life? To be able to breathe, to run, to play and laugh and sing and LIVE? I know I have.

So, I guess I just want to say to Megan and Josh: We love you guys so much, and we are all praying for you with all of our might and faith. I know miracles happen, and that if it's the Lord's will, you will get yours. <3 <3 I guess that's the hardest part of faith--is accepting the Lord's will. For now, I am determined to believe that His will is for Josh to live. He is a fighter. Josh, we love you!