Molly Margaret's Miracle

Hey friends! We made it through round 2 of chemo. One step closer. The last time we posted we asked for prayer over a decision to give or not give rituximab as part of Molly Margaret’s OMS treatment plan. We’re back asking for more prayer over that. There are several doctors involved in different pieces of this decision and we don’t have all of the information we’d ideally have to make this decision. For various reasons we won’t be able to have all of the information so we have to make a decision with what we have. Each doctor is specialized in one piece of the puzzle so no one doctor is able to give a full comprehensive view of the situation. No one wants to make definitive statements because well, we just don’t know. No one knows. What we need is someone to stand in the gap beside us and help us weigh the benefits vs risks as a parent with a daughter not just as a set of data. Would you pray for that, please? Long story short, there’s been a ton of back and forth. It’s hard to get in touch with everyone needed because of holiday schedules. We’re on the way back from a weekend escape to the beach now and have to go to Duke on the way home for some unplanned labs. And we may be getting an infusion (a long one, 6ish hours) this week or we may not, unsure right now.

What we do know is that next week is a huge week in our world. On Monday we go in for a CT scan to see how the tumor is responding to treatment thus far. We are pleading and begging with the Lord for it to be gone completely. We will be doing rounds 3 and 4 of chemo regardless but if the tumor is gone, we would not need another surgery following round 4 of chemo. Praying and believing for that! Immediately following the CT scan on Monday, we will have an IVIG infusion and steroid infusion for our next OMS treatment. Tuesday we will start round 3 of chemo as well as the second steroid infusion for this round of OMS treatment. Wednesday we will continue round 3 of chemo and have the final steroid infusion for this round of OMS treatment. Thursday we will have the final infusion for round 3 of chemo. Friday she will have the shot to boost white blood cell production. Needless to say, we’re not looking forward to next week. The decision to stack treatments this time was heavy and met with a lot of prayer and conversation. We’re nervous about what this could mean side effect wise but we’re trusting the peace God gave us in that decision. There really weren’t any good options so this is where we landed.

Please pray:

• That the decision to give or not give rituximab would be clear. That we could get in touch with all doctors we need and that a consensus would be reached. That someone would stand in the gap and help us make a decision for Molly Margaret. That God would give peace in the decision made and protect her body from worst case scenarios.
• BOLDLY ask God for the CT scan to reveal no tumor remaining. Pray that this treatment has been effective at ridding MM’s body of the tumor’s unwanted presence.
• That Molly Margaret’s body would handle receiving the OMS treatment with round 3 of chemo well. That side effects would be minimized and not amplified.
• For supernatural strength and endurance next week. Lots of long hospital days. Pray that we would be able to stay upbeat and positive for Molly Margaret. That she would feel comfort in the hospital. That we would get good rest at night to prepare us for each day.
• That we would be present and be able to enjoy each other this week without letting our minds already be worried or anxious about next week.
• For rest. Honestly our nights right now are like a box of chocolates – you just never know what you’re going to get. Praising God for every good night and praying for the rest we get to be multiplied and carry us through the hard nights.

This isn’t how we expected this Christmas season to go. This isn’t what we ever imagined walking into 2022 would look like. But here we are. And even still, God hasn’t changed. He’s still seated on the throne. He’s still fighting for us. He’s still good. And no matter what comes, He won’t change. Regardless of the CT results or side effects. He will remain. He is steadfast. That’s actually what’s so beautiful about this time of year. It isn’t the sparkling lights and the festive parties. It’s the celebration of the fact that we get to know our Father because He sent His son to earth as a baby. Without any sparkling lights or festive parties. Just a baby in a manger. Born to die. Sent to be with us. Emmanuel.

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12

• Neal, Mackenzie and Molly Margaret ✨