Chantal who?

Christian and Chantal

Answers to prayers and lots of blessings. I wrote my last blog under severe duress. I was convinced that we were in a place that we would never get out of. I should have known better!!! I wondered if Christian would ever get well and I didn’t know how or what to pray for.  So I asked for help, from you, from family and friends, from people I have never even met. I wrote the blog on Sunday when I was worried about Christian and whether he would be able to get his weight back. Would he be strong enough to withstand his next mega chemo session? I honestly felt hopeless. The very next day Christian started eating and eating and eating. He even woke us up in the middle of the night to ask for food. And he hasn’t stopped eating since. It is nothing short of a miracle. I was looking at my blog on Monday (there is a section when I can get a basic idea of how many people are looking at it – I know that at least 10% is Christian’s Nanny looking at the pictures over and over again!) and I was astonished to see that the blog was viewed almost 450 times that day. Wow! That means that 450 people said a short or long prayer for Christian and the outcome was truly God listening to our prayers.

Waffles and strawberries - a hospital favorite!

Since then we have had our ups and downs. It is so difficult the first days back in the hospital. Not just with Christian but trying to keep the whole family dynamic in order. Evelyn unfortunately gets missed in the shuffle sometimes. She plays so nicely on her own talking to her animals and babies. This morning she lay in my mom’s bed and read stories to her little lion. So cute! Everybody feels a bit discombobulated for the first few days back in the hospital – I usually have a cry here and there and then we move on. Last night I slept at the hospital and I had so many seeds of doubt planted in my mind. Christian started sweating and having intense screaming leg pain in the middle of the night. I was so frustrated with Cancer, the hospital, NG tubes that get thrown up after only been in for an hour. I was fed up with the whole process and I wanted to quit. Everything that Chris and I have held onto washed out the door. I wondered how I would get through this day. Enter an amazing story overflowing with blessings and love, small and big reminders of God’s love and commitment to our family. 

Nurse Greg who did NG tube insert (before getting barfed out an hour later!)

Christian and I had a good sleep after he got some serious medicine to help with his leg pain. We woke up at 11am….nice! Christian started eating and eating and eating. In fact he cleaned out the unit kitchen of all their peanut butter! Then Chris showed up with the kids and they are always a sight for sore eyes. Followed by uncle Peder, my brother, who comes for a visit with the kids. Such a big help! As I am dropping Evelyn off for her token play at Emily’s Backyard (a very cool ‘daycare’ type place in the hospital –filled with the best toys ever!) I see a notice that Chantal Kreviazuk will be playing a small concert in the atrium of the hospital. Her piano playing and the sound of her voice is so beautiful and an amazing break in a day that seemed so un-amazing. Ryan and Evelyn danced around while she sang Christmas carols – they stole the show as Ryan did his little crab walking all around. The only sad part was that Christian was not allowed to leave his room (as per oncology unit rules) so he didn’t get to hear the amazing music. Well fast forward 15 minutes and who comes to sing for Christian in his room but Chantal Kreviazuk herself! She visited with him and sang for him and left all the kids with cute little Christmas tree ornaments. It was grand!

Christian being a little shy!

Chantal singing for our family

I drove home with the kids and the blessings continued. When I got home their was a lovely parcel from a dear family friend – filled with the complete trimmings for a Christmas tree in Christians hospital rooms. Then another family friend dropped off dinner with fresh bread and salad. And to complete a great evening the doorbell rang and one of Chris’ former students brought us the most beautiful poinsettia. It was such a great reminder for me that there are so many people thinking about Christian and praying for our family. There is hope everywhere.

I am so thankful for a comment left on my last blog. It was a verse I had written about almost seven months ago – and obviously had forgotten! Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything but pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for what he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace which exceeds anything we can understand”. Such a simple verse but truly is the foundation for getting Chris and I through this difficult time in our lives. It is so miraculous to be able to find peace amongst chaos. Joy amongst your fears. Thanks for reading and thanks for your prayers.

Evelyn loves the light posts outside the children's hospital

Many people have asked us if then can send Christian a Christmas or get well card. So I am putting our address online (and hoping dearly I don’t regret it!) and look forward to filling his room with well wishes.

772 Coopers Drive, Airdrie, AB, T4B2W3

Ryan and Christian chillin' in his bed - you can see how little Christian has gotten - he only has five lbs on Ryan

Today I am thankful for:

1.Jayden getting a wheelchair he can move himself!

2.Beautiful musicians helping to make a simple day special

Christian and his Star Wars collection!

3.Christmas decorations and lights

Evy loves the animals at the hosptial. she likes to give the cows a kiss everytime she goes!