chapter vii: praises + prayers
Good evening friends! Kelsey here today.
I wanted to write a quick update and also ask for our prayer warriors to join us today.
After Derek completed Cycle 2 (the halfway point), they did a PET scan to see how well the treatment was working. His scans came back completely clear!! We were so thankful! The doctor explained that we’d hope to see those scans at the end of his treatment, so we were rejoicing that so much progress had already been made halfway through.
At that point, we asked his doctor if it was necessary to complete the last two cycles. Because of how aggressive Burkitt’s lymphoma is, he explained that it would be best to finish out the last two cycles to make sure the cancer was completely gone.
Cycle 3 was scheduled to start on Tuesday, June 21. Unfortunately, Derek tested positive for Covid on Monday the 20th, so Cycle 3 was delayed for a week. He was admitted for Cycle 3 on Monday, June 27. Cycle 3 was a chemo drug called methotrexate. The infusion took place over the first 24 hours. Once the infusion was completed, they began monitoring the levels of methotrexate left in his body. In order to be discharged, Derek’s levels needed to be at 0.04 or lower.
During Cycle 1, Derek’s levels were low enough after 6 days and he was discharged. This time around has been a different story. He’s currently on day 13 of being in the hospital and his levels have sort of plateaued at the 0.11 mark. Methotrexate is a highly toxic drug that can cause kidney failure if left in the body for too long, so it’s important that his levels continue to decrease.
Aside from lots of fluids and lots of walking, the doctors have said there’s not much else that can be done to help clear the methotrexate from his system.
But we know that’s not true! This is where you come in : ) Please join us in praying that the drugs would clear his system and he would be able to come home for a few days before beginning Cycle 4. Thank you! We are so thankful for all of you - we have felt no shortage of love and encouragement from our village, near and far!
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
