3 years of God's grace!

On April 19,2017 Josiah rang the bell, signifying end-of-cancer-treatments! He has completed his chemo treatments. On May 1, Lord willing if his counts are good, he will be getting his port removed from his chest. He will continue on antibiotics for the next three months, and will go in for monthly checkups for the next year.

God is so good, and we are so thankful for His mercy towards us! Josiah has been brave throughout the past three years. The doctors and nurses were always excited to see him, and he brightened many a day with his big smile! He was so tough when it came time for his "poky" (needle) each month, and Oma(Nelly's mom) often went along and rewarded him with a stuffy!

A huge thank you to everyone who diligently prayed for Josiah. It wouldn't have been the same ending without your prayers, each and everyone of you! God promises through prayer... Thank you!
"But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer" Psalm 66:19
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6

Josiah is Home!

Just wanted to thank everyone for their prayers! Josiah got to come home last night, and is doing much better :)

February 12,2016 Update

Josiah is doing much better, and hasn't had morphine or tylenol all day!
His smile is back, and we are so thankful for that :)
They will reasses tomorrow to see what the plan is for his return home.

Update: February 11,2016

Josiah is doing better the past day, and as long as he is on morphine is able to eat. The sores on his cheeks, tongue, and throat are still causing him alot of pain.

His spirits were lifted after receiving the morphine and getting a visit from his cousins Natanael and Malachi. They brought him some balloons and some presents, which brought big smiles to his face :)

Please continue to pray that Josiah's mouth would heal, and that the fever would stay away so that he will be able to go home soon.

We thank you all so much for lifting him up in prayer to a God whose hand spans that heavens, and yet He cares in minute detail for the smallest one!

A picture from Josiah yesterday, finally able to enjoy a bit of food :)

Getting ready to go to sleep with his teddy bear from his cousin Natanael :)

Prayer Request

Please pray for Josiah. He was admitted to the hospital yesterday morning because of a fever and throwing up. He is neutropedic, resulting in susceptibility to infection and viruses.

He is hooked up to IV fluids making him quite swollen and has painful  sores on his tongue making it hard to eat.

The doctors think it is a virus, but are not sure yet as the results from the cultures have not come back yet. Joe is having a really tough time and is not cooperating very well. He hasn't smiled since he has been admitted, and those of you who know him, know how unlike Joe this is! 

Please pray that he will recover quickly, that strength would be given to all those who are close to him, and wisdom to the doctors as they care for him.

Our God is the giver of strength!

In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with the strength of my soul. Psalm 138:3

Prayer Request

Please pray for Josiah as he is on his way into London hospital as he is not responding properly. Please pray for comfort for James and Nelly as well. I will update as soon as I know more.

Update:  Earlier this afternoon, Josiah vomited and then started shaking and wasn't responding to Nelly.  The conclusion that the Drs came to is that he fainted for some reason, possibly from choking while vomiting, or possibly because his body can't handle vomiting in his weakend state.  They are also checking for a blood infection. They did blood work to check his counts and those came back fine. He is feeling much better now. Thanks so much for your prayers!

June and July

James and Nelly would really appreciate your prayers for the coming weeks, as Josiah will be going through one of the most intense periods of chemo for his treatment. He will be receiving two different kinds of chemo every Friday, as well as being on steroids; 7 days on, 7 days off.  The common side effects of this treatment are hair loss, mouth sores, nausea, and vomiting.  The treatment is expected to bring his counts very low, making him much more susceptible to getting sick.  They have been told to expect to have to spend time staying in the hospital.  So far Josiah has tolerated the treatments very well, and we are very grateful to the Lord for this! Thank you so much for your continued prayers! :)