Now We Wait...

 Kenzi's last round of chemo went smoothly. Other than feeling tired, she had little side effects and we were discharged last Saturday as planned. Wes came down to Vancouver that day and my parents, who have been staying with the other kids brought them all here on Tuesday. It is so nice to be all together, even if it is a little tight in a 2 bedroom apartment. We are just grateful for a beautiful place to call "home" for now and every day together is precious. We try to explore new places while we're here and get out for a bit (it's very different not having a backyard for the kids to run around in). We went to Steveston twice this week and of course, spent some time at White Rock. 

Kenzi has an appointment at the outpatient department tomorrow for blood work to check her counts and is scheduled next week Tuesday and Wednesday for an MRI and a PET scan to see how much the tumor has shrank since we started. Please pray with us that it shows amazing results. Some of the doctors have noted recently that they can hear more breathe sounds on her left side which is encouraging (there was no air at all on the left when we arrived). There appears to be a lot of fluid surrounding the tumor, so our doctor mentioned that she was thinking of taking a sample of the fluid to examine it. They would put her to sleep and aspirate some with a large needle, but we don't know if they will do that yet or not. After the scans, the doctors, including the fellow, attending, surgeons, radiologists and a whole tumor board, will meet to discuss the treatment going forward. They meet on Thursdays, so we should know next Friday what the plan is. We are thankful for all the resources and minds that are working together for our daughter's treatment. We know that it is all in God's hands and He has brought us through this so far. I truly don't know how people get through something like this without His guidance, strength and the peace that only He gives. 

We hope to take Kenzi home next Wednesday after the PET scan and spend a couple days there together before we have to come back for surgery or more treatment. Surgery will most likely be the following week, so we are looking forward to a small "break" from this cancer life before we dive right back in. Some days are still hard, but we feel so much better when we are together. As much as I want this to all be over and get back to normal life, I have to remind myself that this is almost a whole year of our life and I don't want to wish it away, so we are just trying to find joy in these moments. 

We found out this past month that Kenzi has been granted a wish from Make A Wish Canada. We met with a volunteer who asked Kenzi all kinds of questions about what she likes and what her wish would be. Kenzi decided that she wants to swim with dolphins and sea turtles in Hawaii and they agreed that sounds like a wonderful wish! It won't happen until her treatment is all done of course, but for the time being it is giving Kenzi and our whole family something to look forward to and preoccupy her thoughts on tough days. I never knew the impact a wish would have in lifting her spirits during this difficult journey. If you want to donate, please go to their website here: https://makeawish.ca/donate/. While we would trade it all to just have normal life right now, we couldn't even dream of a holiday like this are looking forward to reconnect as a family when this is all over.

We continue to be humbled and amazed at all the love and support we are receiving. God has truly blessed us and we are seeing Christ's love through your generosity. It is a huge burden off our shoulders since Wes has had to cut back on work to be here for our family. Please continue to pray for us as we take this one day at a time and especially for good results from the scans coming up next week. 

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
    You have given me relief when I was in distress.
    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! ~ Psalm 4 :1

The Shipyard at Steveston