Von is growing. No, I really mean it, he is growing.
For the past 7 months while Von has been on chemotherapy he has not grown one teeny centimeter. Chemo attacks fast growing cells like cancer cells, hair follicles and immune systems.
Von still has three years of chemo, but the really intense treatments were finished a month ago. His hair has started coming in and his body is gaining strength, but we have still been praying for Von's long-term health. His stunted growth was one of those things that we were willing to accept, but still we asked friends to pray.
Last week's checkup marked a month since he has blood or vitals measured. The nurse noted the measurements for weight/height/blood pressure etc. on her clipboard and proceeded to the routine blood and spinal tap stuff (which is always pleasant to watch).
The doctor came in to look at Von's chart and she noted a mistake on his height measurement. After sending the nurse back to re-measure and then checking it herself to make sure he was barefoot, she was utterly amazed.
In the last 30 days, Von has grown a little more than two full inches. I don't know how that is even humanly possible but I've got to believe God has heard our prayers and cheated things along for Von a little.
Getting this news was a great encouragement to us as parents, but you can't imagine the delight it brought to a 4 year old who has been two inches too short to ride a roller-coaster at the amusement park for what seemed like forever.
So to celebrate, we went to Mall of America today where Von was finally able to ride a roller-coaster.
Thanks God, for roller-coasters and little things like inches!
18 comments:
Praise the Lord! Von's cheeks are even less puffy. he is looking more and more like his old self, only older!
That is a great picture of Van and his sister!
Russ Paine
Yay for Von! We are so grateful to hear positive news. Maybe when we come to visit he can take us to ride the roller coaster.
Looking might good. I don't think there'll be any news better than THIS we will receive today
Woot! Woot! That just puts a big smile on the collective Otamendi clan's face!
That is AMAZING!! I was about to say incredible, but that means unbelievable, and I DO believe it! God's got a purpose for Von and obviously it includes him being taller. What a great discovery! And his hair is looking awesome too!! :D
F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S !!
Fantabulous news! Just 'grows' to show ya, we can't discount the power of prayer, even an inch of it!
Blessings to all of you, and high fives to Von (who, if he keeps this up, will be taller than me in a couple of months!).
Loree
Awesome!
It looks like Von is destined to be tall like his parents!
Way to go Von. Maybe one of these days soon you will be looking directly into the eyes of your Dad and telling him what to do... Keep up the growing and having fun big guy!
I just keep getting blessed by your journey. Amazing how God draws in a crowd when He wants to show off. Brings a smile to my face that could only be competed with Von's!
Well, if that's not God, I don't know what is!
Praise God! He knows the hairs on our head and exactly how many inches needed! What a blessing.
To a coward like me, being able to ride a roller coaster isn't considered good news. The two inches is amazing though!
What joy!! It just seeps through the computor from these pictures into my heart! We have shared the miracle with our friends here in Mexico who rejoice with us all. Be careful, he will soon want to drive your BMW all by himself! Love you guys! Thanks Jesus!
The kid looks like a million bucks. And two inches! He didn't have growing pains through such a spurt?
It was great seeing your photo on the Christy blog tonight. I hope I'll see you at ICRS in a few days!
I'm praying for Von!! I'll have my church pray, too.
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