I didn't even realize it has been so long since I updated this site! If you haven't found our Facebook page already, https://www.facebook.com/nicholasbrierley/?ref=hl, you can follow Nick's story there and read about the last couple months. I guess I have been better about Facebook posts because it is easier to share photos with the updates. However, I do receive notifications when a comment has been posted here, so I have been reading each and every one. I do so appreciate those, thank you for taking the time to encourage us, and pray for our family. Nick is almost ready for the 5th round of chemo, out of 7. Please like our Facebook page, Nicholas Strikes Back, to catch up on the last rounds of chemo along with Halloween at St. Jude, his Times Square appearance, and to see all the special things being done for our family. We are grateful for the many blessings we've received through this hard time in our lives. I copied here the latest update from a few days ago that celebrates his ANC recovery after a long inpatient stay - most of which was in isolation. We praise God for answering our prayers and for this time together as a family before he goes back in for round 5 next week.

Nick's ANC has finally reached high enough and even went over our goal this morning, it's up to 600!!! We finally get to leave! Still keeping an eye on his labs, His hgb is great, but his platelets have dropped again. Right now they are still above the minimum level, so no need for another transfusion just yet. Nick has to finish his course of antibiotics, but since he tolerated everything by the tube yesterday, we are good to go! We have been admitted for 12 days, and the only thing Nick has eaten by mouth was 6 brown rice crackers and ice chips! I don't know what we would have done without a feeding tube. And I am so grateful nothing developed leading to a bigger issue with the tube. It's not that Nick was just full from his feeds that he didn't want to eat... His tube feeds are what sustained him because he couldn't stand the smell or even the thought of food and would become physically ill. These past 2 weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for Nick, something that he's experienced before but still struggles to accept and get through. We are thankful for the uplifting moments that give Nick joy - just wish the lows didn't have to be so far down.
It looks like the official diagnosis for this phase was c-diff, trauma (bruising and swelling from a trip on his line and probably the recent switch) and possible cellulitis. All that going on would be painful enough, but when his counts dropped, it only amplified the pain and had difficulty healing.

Packing it up, it's discharge day!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."
Jeremiah 29:11-13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13