Easter thoughts

We're home! The doctors ordered another test for his methotrexate levels this afternoon because he was so close this morning and he passed! It seemed almost miraculous for a few reasons--one was that twice during our stay, the nurse forgot to turn his fluids on after accessing his line for something else. So three hours without fluids, plus the two hours of a blood transfusion and he still managed to get out of there. He was drinking water like a champ all morning to clear the chemo and his hard work paid off!

With Easter, I've been thinking a lot about the resurrection of Christ and really feeling more and more amazed at the wholeness of it all. That everyone will be resurrected and fully restored. This whole cancer thing and upcoming amputation has brought it even more into focus for me. I was reading my the Book of Mormon the other night in Alma 11:43-44 says,

"The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time. . .Now this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame. . . and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil."

Limb, joint, hair!? I read it and felt it was meant for me and for Steven. It does help to know that this is all temporary and someday Christ will restore it all. But even still, it isn't an easy thing. I will think about the loss of his knee and get very choked up sometimes. Other times I am counting down the days until we can get that cancer out of his body and keep moving on. One afternoon, Steven and I obsessively watched YouTube videos of kids with a rotationplasty and we were feeling pumped. Look at what they can do! Look at how they are walking! Tonight I was talking about the surgery with him and he said, "Boy, I'm sure going to look different."

It looks like the surgery will likely take place on May 10, but I will keep you posted as the details become more clear. I'm not exactly sure how to prepare for such a life changing event. Ready or not, it will happen and somehow we will make it through.