What wonderful news Kel.!!!!

Thank you all so much for your prayers. I've told them that I'm posting Claire's journey on the forum and that there are many, many people praying for her. They were touched and so grateful for all the prayers and well wishes.

I have no doubt whatsoever that the Lord is holding Claire and protecting her throughout this ordeal. It's all part of His perfect plan.

Chemo is over!! Praise God!! Surgery is next but until then let's just pray for some peace and quiet.

"Claire is on her way home from the hospital now with aunt Caira and mom-maw. I came home a little early to meet the boys at the bus stop. I missed them so much! They really missed me too and I know it has been hard on them to be away from me so much. I think Finn is having some anxiety about Claire's transplant. He understands that we will be in the hospital for three to four weeks and they will not be able to see Claire and only see me very little. I just reassured him that if we can persevere through that time, we can know that Claire's cancer will not come back and we won't have to do this again (LORD WILLING). He said, "Well, then, it will be worth it".

Claire had a blood transfusion before leaving today because her hemoglobin started to drop. Her RN said that the counts will start to drop earlier since she's had several cycles of chemo already. We may still find ourselves back at the hospital with a fever, but this will help her feel better.

She's doing great! I have never seen her have this much energy during chemo before. The nurse gave her meds late one day and she did start vomiting, but it was nothing like the last time. She continued to eat a little the whole time as well. She just about wore me and aunt Caira out.

So I guess that's it. We will update when we have a date for surgery. Nothing too exciting before then, hopefully."

Latest news:

"Our surgeon's office called yesterday with our date for surgery. It will be October 21st at 7:30AM. He said it could take 3-5 hours if all goes well. If he cannot get to the bottom of the tumor as he is expecting, it could take longer. He really won't know until he gets in there. Claire will be in PICU for one to two days after and then moved to a regular hospital room for recovery. I am not exactly sure how long the recovery is. It all depends on what he has to do. I think the estimate if there is not any complications is 3-5 days. Our RN said the children Claire's age bounce back fairly quickly.

Claire had a great day yesterday full of energy. Today she is very tired. I took her out to run some errands and had to come home early so she could rest. Either her counts are dropping or the effects of five cycles of chemotherapy are taking their toll.

God is faithful, wise and loving. I was reflecting on this with a friend this morning and realized that God is letting us experience this truth and not just asking us to believe it. There is knowing and then there is KNOWING. How intimate our knowledge has become!"

Continued prayers for sweet Claire's upcoming surgery. I pray she can find comfort between now and then.

Her brother had strep throat so I know that was a challenge keeping her well while he was so sick.....but so far so good.

Thanks to everyone here who included Claire in their prayers. Please keep praying for her, her surgeons, nurses and her family. I know this has been a trial like no other ever endured for them.

This time at home without the constant interruption of hospitals and chemo treatments has done her a world of good. I just pray that this surgery will be the end of this awful ride.

God will provide and knows exactly what everyone needs.

sending hugs and prayers their way!

Latest update:

"Small update - Claire's counts are already coming back up. No fever so far! This means I get to be the secret reader at Jude's school today. He is going to be so excited. I know this will bless him and it would not be possible without God's sovereignty in our lives.

I probably won't update until surgery on 10/21, Lord willing. Have a great weekend. We feel so blessed to have such devoted believers praying on our behalf."

Tomorrow morning at 7:30 AM Claire will have her surgery. Please, please keep this family in your prayers.

She and her family are in our prayers. Keep us inform how everything goes.

Darlene