Another week. And yet another week of firsts! First day out of the hospital for our little man, first night in a new house, first time ‘bathing’ (the term is used loosely!), first time trying some foods that were not Pringles 😊, but also a first time for Nat hearing some challenging news and Murphy experiencing some new side-effects of his treatment.
The highs of the week were that Murphy had a few days in our newly rented Brisbane home – for which we are extremely grateful to those who have donated! This home would not be possible without your generosity! Nat’s mum, and resident super grandma, Glenda, helped to get the house fit for Murphy’s first stay in it. Nat and Glenda set up Murphy’s new room, and the medicine cabinet, which is more like a hospital storeroom than a household medicine cabinet! Again, thank you to those who donated, as we have encountered some out-of-pocket expenses for these pharmaceuticals. To finish last week on a high, the joy Murphy has had in our new house has been amazing to see laughter, playing, relaxing and time with siblings.
Last week brought some challenging times, and it is within those times your support and prayer become poignant. The excitement of staying the first night out of hospital was evident last week but coupled with a truck load of information that Nat and Glenda had to learn in preparation for a safe stay. The countless medical professionals all had to give their handover notes to Nat before leaving the hospital, and therefore by the time Murphy finally went to bed on that first night at the new home, the whole house was exhausted. Furthermore, there were some difficult conversations had with Murphy’s oncologist. With the basis of this conversation the fact that results had come in that confirms the doctors suspicion. There is a ‘marker’ in Murpy’s bodily make-up that means his body tends to get confused in the making of cells. Meaning what we’re trying to eradicate through chemo will need to match, and surpass, what the body is doing when it keeps producing an exceptionally high number of cancer cells. (Rapid and aggressive are now a words I don’t like). The positive is this is that we know that no matter what the diagnosis, or report, or confirmed test shows, our God is greater. Gideon had 22,000 men, then only 10,000, then God gave him victory with a mere 300 men. May Murphy have the same story as Gideon!
This week, Calista, Hugo and Ted have had a special treat with a visit from their uncle Scott and Aunty Danielle, which has been a welcome distraction. And then they are in Gympie with their Nanna and Poppa before we go back on Friday to Brisbane. Our Gympie community, and support from church, has been beyond amazing! Our family has felt love and care from every direction we look! Thank you!
Last night after Murphy went to sleep, Nat’s parents, as well as Nat and I joined in prayer for some time, declaring healing in the name of Jesus. It was evident God’s presence was in the house, and after we finished, we felt a lightness, and our burdens were lifted. That is the power of prayer, it allowed us to see this situation how God sees this situation. Can I ask you to pray this prayer over Murphy this week.
Dear Heavenly Father, the healer, counsellor and great physician, I pray healing in the body of Murphy right now. I declare health in the Name of Jesus. I ask for Your Angel Army to surround and uplift Murphy, and may Murphy feel a sense of peace throughout his body this week. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
