Update and Next Steps

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Coltrane has finished his 5th cycle of chemo.  We were in the hospital for 5 days and it went well. Coltrane got doses of the chemo which is highest on the nausea scale.  We saw his appetite go way down after he started this cycle.  He has been nauseated on and off but nothing ongoing or severe. Please pray that his appetite will return soon and he can begin to gain weight.  We will be home for a couple of weeks and are always so happy and grateful to be home.  

Coltrane did get his hearing tested before the 5th cycle of chemo but he was uncooperative (believe it or not!) and  it was hard to get accurate results.  We will try again in a week.  Although, I really doubt that Coltrane has any hearing problems.  When he heard his daddy say the word “outside” in a completely normal voice, he came running from 2 rooms away!  However, please continue to pray that his hearing will not be damaged and that his organs will be protected during his high doses of chemo.  

We continue to go to the clinic twice a week to check Coltrane’s levels and to check to see if he needs a transfusion.  

What’s next?  We will be returning to the hospital on September 22 for the 6th cycle of chemo. During our stay there, Coltrane will be doing all sorts of scans to check on his progress.  We will then evaluate the possibility of surgery to remove his abdominal tumor.  Then we will begin to make plans for the stem-cell transplant to take place in OKC.  Please pray for great results from all of the scans and wisdom for the doctors and us.

Over the last 2 weeks, our family has been dealing with the loss of my dad (Papi).  He was an amazing father, grandfather, and husband.  The kids have such a great attitude and understand that Papi is in Heaven with a new body.  We all saw my dad in his last weeks, not being able to communicate or move very well.  It is a celebration to know that he is home and no longer confined to the body that he was in.  The boys love to talk about him and thank God in their evening prayers that he is in Heaven.  We are still grieving and the world is never going to be the same without him. Thank you for your prayers for all of us during this time.

Our benefit will be held at our church (CCF) on September 20 and we have been totally showered with great donations and volunteers helping.  Everyone is invited and welcome.  It is sure to be an awesome time of fellowship and community uniting together for this purpose.

We love you,

Sonja, Justin, Jackson and Coltrane the Ornery