Rejoice, I say

Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice. 
 Philippians 4:4

Do you have those days when you know something is going to happen but your not sure if its going to be a good result?  I should rephrase that...the result being what YOU want it to be? 

I had one of those days on Thursday (6/14/12).  It was the first day of summer break for Emily and she starts it out by having to go to the doctor at the hospital.  This is one of those visits that you sit and pray that 1. we are not there all day and 2. that he will feel she is good enough to reduce some of her medication.   

This visit was a little different.  To some degree we were a little excited to go just because this was her first appointment at the new offices that were built right across the street from the hospital.  Parking was wonderful and easy, the people were friendly when greeting us and the process was flowing just smoothly.  We were called pretty quickly to go into the room and then the waiting game began!  Sitting there waiting anxiously for her doctor to come in, Emily and I sat and admired the new tables, chairs, the sink and even under counter lights!  It was all so new and fresh!  The view wasnt too bad from the windows.  Soon enough her doctor came in.  This is the most relaxed (surprisingly) that I have seen him.  

Each time we meet with him, I find that I learn something new about him.  We all know he is brilliant and the Lord has blessed my baby girl with a wonderful doctor but I learn new personal things about him.  You would think after seeing him on a regular basis (anywhere from every 2 months to every 6 months) for the last five years (yes...thats 5 years) that I would know everything there is to know about him.  WRONG!!!   I just learned this time that he has a child (at least one child) that is old enough to have made him a grandfather!  Really?  We have seen him for five years now and I just found this out!  Crazy to say the least.  What this does for me though, is I can relate to him on  a more personal level.  I now see him as more of a "person", a grandfather to some precious little child, instead of just this brilliant doctor that really used to talk over my head where I felt I need a medical dictionary just to know what he said to me. Its really amazing what you learn about people the longer your with them.

Anyway, back to the appointment.  So he looked her over and I talked with him about this cough Emily has had now for over a week.  I have been concerned but the fact that she hasnt been sick with it or no fevers I never took her to the doctor and waited to see him.  He felt it was more of an allergy cough which really put me at ease.  Then as he was finishing up the exam now came the time when I was to get all the prescriptions refilled.  As he started writing out the scripts he said the most beautiful words to me (us) ~ she can stop the steroids!  Really?  Did I hear right?  I questioned him again about what he just said (and yes, I did it again after that to make sure my ears were not fooling me).  So because she is now officially off the steroids (it would be exactly 2 years that she was put back on them in 2 weeks) she is now able to come off of 3 and possibly 4 medications she has been taking!  She is now just taking her chemo, baby aspirin and blood pressure!  The blood pressure will probably be taking away but we are just waiting for the phone call!  This was a huge answer to prayer and the outcome was a surprise really.  The outcome was what I had been praying for!  The outcome is a blessing!

Last night we went out to dinner where ever Emily wanted to go and then I also promised her I would take her to get her hair cut!  Her hair is just about long enough to donate it again so we are holding off just a little longer!  She will be starting school with a new haircut and she will be alot smaller!  I told her that people may not even recognize you!  She looks so much different when she is down to "regular size".   As I sit her and type this, eyes all watery, I am just so thankful to our God that hears our prayers, lifts us when we need to be carried, and heals!  He is our Healer!  

Even though Emily is now off most of her medication, I still have to remember though she is still a sick child and anything can trigger the disease to act up again.  Anything can set it off and start our tornado again.  I will still be protective of her and the environment but in it all, I know she is safe in His arms.  He will take care of her.  He is our God!  

So today, we are rejoicing!  we are praising His name!