Tough Week

     As expected, our little Hazelnut has had a very tough week.  The combination of these two infusions has caused her so much discomfort, and it is difficult to see her spirits so low.  She has been battling pain, extremely high fevers, hives and itchiness, swelling, breathing problems, constipation, fatigue and a plethora of issues with her labs.  In addition to the continuous pain medication, she is also taking Tylenol (for pain and fevers), Benadryl & Atarax (for the allergic reactions), antibiotics (to prevent infections), albumin (to help with her blood volume) and has needed extra potassium and fluids.  Also, due to her breathing problems, Hazel had to have three separate breathing treatments; but God has answered my prayers on this issue and she has not had any breathing issues yesterday or today!  In addition, her fevers have come down!

     Today also came with another hiccup.  Due to Hazel retaining fluid and not being able to excrete enough urine, she has gained some weight and her kidneys are taking a hit.  Her kidneys were already damaged during her ICU stay, and my assumption is that they have not yet returned to good function, and because of that, her creatinine levels have skyrocketed.  They are TEN TIMES the amount they are allowed to be while on this Immunotherapy clinical trial.  Based on the information we have, it is generally the IL-2 infusion that will cause this side-effect, so it was stopped a few hours ago.  Unfortunately, it is ideal to receive every last drop of this treatment for efficacy, so we are all a bit disappointed.  However, she only had about 12-15 hours to go on the infusion, so she already received the majority.  The doctors are not sure how this will effect her long term success and are going to take the next few days or weeks to figure out a game plan for what to do when she has to receive IL-2 again (which is during Cycle #4).  She is still safely able to continue the Chimeric infusion, which will definitely work in her favor, and that comes down tonight, so we are almost done!  Please pray, however, that she can urinate enough tonight and tomorrow morning so her creatinine and weight both come down.  If they do not, she will most likely have to remain in the hospital until it resolves.
     A few days ago, I was reading a book that discussed the bible verse 2 Corinthians 12:9 " My grace is sufficient for you".  The author, Charles H. Spurgeon (language revised and updated by Alistair Begg) wrote something that really spoke to my heart.  He says "If none of God's saints were poor and tired, we should not know half so well the consolations of divine grace...God's grace is illustrated and magnified in the trials of believers. They bear up under every discouragement, believing all things work together for their good, and that out of apparent evils a real blessing shall ultimately spring--that their God will either work a deliverance for them speedily or most assuredly support them in their trouble...The masterworks of God are those who stand in the midst of difficulties steadfast, unmovable...If, then, yours is a much tried path, rejoice in it, because you will be better able to display the all-sufficient grace of God.  As for His failing you, never dream of it...The god who has been sufficient until now should be trusted to the end"!