Well, every day is less of a struggle for Ethan than the day before!!!  Less pain . . . better sleep . . . really doing well.

Ethan had a follow-up visit w/ the plastic surgeon yesterday (Ethan and I showed amazing organization getting him in and out of the van, thank you very much!).  He said his leg looks better than any of the four he operated on previously did at this stage. :)  That was awesome news!  (It looks pretty scary to me, so I'm glad he gave me perspective!!)  Dr. Warsaw disconnected a very annoying pump, so it's much easier for Ethan to get around now, although to and from the bathroom and from sofa to chair are as "around" as he can get . . . exhausting.  He'll have more follow up appts. with the plastic surgeon and the orthopedic surgeon next week.

Praise God for his return to normal in sense of humor and outlook as the pain has lessened . . . and continue to pray that he be able to rest at night.  Last night was the first really long sleep he had.  Praise God, also, for his friends who have come alongside him and for all of you who have come alongside of Tegan and I . . . simply awesome! 

 

Good news!

Ethan has improved tremendously.  

He is practicing with a walker so he can be discharged today!  He even has his friend, Luke, here training to be his "pt aide."  

Luke also wanted to be my guinea pig when I learned to give an injection...But they wouldn't let me inject a non-relative.  However, he is allowed to inject saline into himself.  He's quite excited about it...Those who know Luke will understand!  

I am posting this so you can clearly see that joy and laughter has returned!

Update:  Ethan is now home and doing well!!

Important Update

Please pray for Ethan today:  he is in a LOT of pain.  It's hard to see him suffering, but he is suffering this afternoon.  This is really hard on all of us.  We know there's a light at the end of the tunnel and that we'll get thru it, but until then, days like today are pretty difficult.

Pray for relief from the pain.  Karen's talked to the pediatrician on the unit and they are going to take on a more aggressive approach to the pain killers.  We'll keep you posted.

Tegan  

Today is a huge praise that Ethan's surgeon said this morning that the nerve in his leg is totally fine, and he shouldn't have any problems with flexing at his ankle (foot drop was a complication we worried about.)  I am so relieved!! 

Please pray for relief from his discomfort...he is pretty miserable when awake..his pain is well managed, but the tubing from all these little "accessories" drives him absolutely nuts...not to mention the hospital gown! :)

Update

We are with Ethan in his room now. He is awake and doing extremely well. He is a bit groggy though!

The day has carried with it the full gamut of emotions, not the least of which had to do with some gut-splitting laughs we shared with the orthopedic surgeon as he told us, with tears in his eyes from laughing so hard, of some of the last things that Ethan said before they put him under!  Precious moments.

In any event, with hearts filled with awe, thanks, and jubilation, we end the day with one final post: the tumor is gone! Praise God! It is no longer in his body!

God is great, life is good!

Tegan

Another Update

We just finished meeting with the plastic surgeon a few moments ago.  We met with the orthopedic surgeon about an hour ago.  Both reported that they felt their respective procedures couldn't have gone better.  

They were profoundly reassuring.  We appreciated how helpful they were in answering questions, as well as how genuinely warm and personable they were.  It was quite striking for me, and for Karen as well.  

We are so thankful for the quality of care we're receiving and for the way the surgeons and medical staff are working with us through all of this.  They have been thorough in answering any and all questions we could throw at them, and more.  

From here on out it'll be about recovery until Ethan's chemo resumes in about three weeks.

He's in recovery now.  They'll come to get us when he's awake, which should be within the next half-hour or so.  I guess you could say we're in recovery as well!  What a day.  Yowza!

We're doing great.  Will sleep well tonight!

Tegan

Surgery Update

It has been a stressful morning.  There had been some unexpected complications earlier in the day which almost culminated in having to reschedule Ethan's surgery until Friday.  However, without going into detail, everything has been resolved and surgery has commenced.

We just got word a few moments ago (4:10 pm) from the O.R. that the first half of the surgery is finished.  The tumor has been removed in full and the implants (bone grafts and prosthesis) are complete.  That means that the orthopedic surgeon is wrapping up his portion and the next phase will be the hand-off to the plastic surgeon to finish.

They said the operation went as expected and they were very pleased.  No surprises, they felt VERY good about it.  Praise God.  

THANK YOU for your prayers.  We've been getting texts and emails from so many of you throughout the day just to let us know we're in your prayers.  Cannot begin to tell you how much of a difference that's made!  

More to come!

Tegan

Surgery on Wednesday

Ethan has surgery this Wednesay,March 21, at Lancaster General Hospital.  He will be in surgery from 12 noon to 4 pm, and he may need to go back into the operating room on Friday for a skin graft.  Ethan will be staying at LGH for three nights.

Please pray that the surgery for Ethan goes well and there are no complications.

Continue to pray for the entire Blackbird family; I think we can agree that they are all pretty amazing!   

Pray for Jordan to have continued peace while she is at college, and pray for Karen and Tegan to continue to feel God's peace and protection on them and their family. 

~Daena 

New Admission

Ethan was admitted Monday and it was the smoothest admission yet!  

He will be discharged on Saturday, March 17.  He is doing well and has not had any more headaches!  

He is scheduled next Wednesday, March 21st,  for surgery.  Thank you for your continued prayers and support!  

SAT update

SAT's are over! 

Ethan felt like he did okay...Spent too much time on one math problem in the first math section so he ran out of time, but learned from that mistake.  

Most importantly he didn't have a headache, stomach ache or fatigue, So I feel like is was a fair assessment of where he was at and not messed up by his being on chemo.  Definitely an answer to prayer! :)  

Also he's been headache free for 4 days now!

Ethan was discharged last night...Almost a day early!  :) Lots of tests and appointments this week, and admission next Monday through Saturday for methotrexate.  Ethan is scheduled for surgery on 3/21.

  

A big prayer need is that he started getting major headaches yesterday that kept him up last night.  This is new and really making it hard to function, mostly when he stands up. Please pray that the headaches go away.  I talked with the doctors this morning and they are discussing Ethan's headaches and calling me back so I will know more today.

Thanks for all the visits this admission!  Ethan felt quite cared about!  You all are the best support ever!