Here we are, on day 11 of the second round of chemo.
A lot has happened in the past week and a half. Your prayers have been felt and have truly lifted our spirits. Although there are still many unanswered questions we have gotten one big answer to prayer. I was able to get set up in one of the Duke approved apartments and after Joe completed the 5 day chemo he was discharged!
The Duke medical team firmly believes in the benefits of out of hospital healing. This has been huge for us. We've got a space to call "home" with a kitchen to cook non-hospital food and our own bed to sleep in! I can tell such a difference both mentally and physically this go around. Not only is Joe getting great uninterrupted sleep at night but he’s also able to move around so much more. It’s amazing how far the “little things” go, like getting your own drinks and food, to being able to walk outside whenever you want.
We've been going to the out patent clinic about 4 times a week to have his levels check and to see a physician. His numbers are dropping as they should and things seem to be moving in the right direction. We expect to be hitting the low point within the next few days. So far he has had very few side effects and the ones he has had have been really manageable. Please be praying that when more side effects come, that they would continue to be manageable and that we can remain in our apartment. We obviously want to stay out of the hospital for as long as possible. I believe that he will have his biopsy sometime around Christmas. The nerves of this have not hit me yet, but I would love prayer, not only for a good report, but also for peace leading up to it.
In the spirit of transparence, I personally would love to request prayers for my heart. I have been having a hard time recently with being so far from Arleigh. We have been beyond blessed by both my mom and Joe’s parents. They have done more for us than I could have ever asked for. I truly see God in my life through them. However, it is so painful that Joe and I are not able to actively raise our daughter in this season. Duke is without a doubt the best place for us to be receiving treatment right now, but it is 5 hours away from home. With so much uncertainty in this treatment I do not feel comfortable being that far away from Joe. Therefore, it means I am far from Arleigh. Our parents are doing Everything possible to make the unmanageable bearable, but it is still very hard. Most recently, my mom and sisters family have decided to uproot their own Christmas to rent a house in the Durham area, just so we can be close to one another (again, I see blessing). But could you please be praying for my heart as a mother, I find it hard to know how to navigate this season.
Many of you have been asking for our mailing address. Since we now have an apartment in Durham you can send mail here. The address is:
The Boggs Family
11108 Rose Garden Lane #108
Durham, NC, 27707
I do hope to get some thank you cards out to everyone who has sent us care packages, cards and support in one way or another. But in the mean time please know that each of you have brought tears to my eyes. Your generosity has been absolutely overwhelming. I truly feel that all of you are carrying us through this journey. I don’t know that we will ever be able to repay you all for your kindness, but please know that I intend to pay it forward for the rest of my life.
The Duke medical team firmly believes in the benefits of out of hospital healing. This has been huge for us. We've got a space to call "home" with a kitchen to cook non-hospital food and our own bed to sleep in! I can tell such a difference both mentally and physically this go around. Not only is Joe getting great uninterrupted sleep at night but he’s also able to move around so much more. It’s amazing how far the “little things” go, like getting your own drinks and food, to being able to walk outside whenever you want.
We've been going to the out patent clinic about 4 times a week to have his levels check and to see a physician. His numbers are dropping as they should and things seem to be moving in the right direction. We expect to be hitting the low point within the next few days. So far he has had very few side effects and the ones he has had have been really manageable. Please be praying that when more side effects come, that they would continue to be manageable and that we can remain in our apartment. We obviously want to stay out of the hospital for as long as possible. I believe that he will have his biopsy sometime around Christmas. The nerves of this have not hit me yet, but I would love prayer, not only for a good report, but also for peace leading up to it.
In the spirit of transparence, I personally would love to request prayers for my heart. I have been having a hard time recently with being so far from Arleigh. We have been beyond blessed by both my mom and Joe’s parents. They have done more for us than I could have ever asked for. I truly see God in my life through them. However, it is so painful that Joe and I are not able to actively raise our daughter in this season. Duke is without a doubt the best place for us to be receiving treatment right now, but it is 5 hours away from home. With so much uncertainty in this treatment I do not feel comfortable being that far away from Joe. Therefore, it means I am far from Arleigh. Our parents are doing Everything possible to make the unmanageable bearable, but it is still very hard. Most recently, my mom and sisters family have decided to uproot their own Christmas to rent a house in the Durham area, just so we can be close to one another (again, I see blessing). But could you please be praying for my heart as a mother, I find it hard to know how to navigate this season.
Many of you have been asking for our mailing address. Since we now have an apartment in Durham you can send mail here. The address is:
The Boggs Family
11108 Rose Garden Lane #108
Durham, NC, 27707
I do hope to get some thank you cards out to everyone who has sent us care packages, cards and support in one way or another. But in the mean time please know that each of you have brought tears to my eyes. Your generosity has been absolutely overwhelming. I truly feel that all of you are carrying us through this journey. I don’t know that we will ever be able to repay you all for your kindness, but please know that I intend to pay it forward for the rest of my life.
