Over the last few weeks, we have been preparing for some big appointments for JC in Cincinnati. The past 6 months, JC has been undergoing chelation therapy in hopes that her iron overload would be reduced in her organs. The iron overload needed to be significantly reduced in order to move forward with the bone marrow transplant process.

Last week, JC had an MRI to check the iron levels in her organs. The iron was reduced in a few organs, and it is now only showing in her liver and pancreas. Unfortunately, she still has significant iron in her liver and pancreas; these levels are still too high to move forward with the transplant. The good news is that the chelation therapy is working; the bad news is that it is working much slower than we had hoped for. The synopsis for the visit was that we will continue the chelation therapy for another 6-12 months to get her iron numbers down to a safer level.

Her doctors were happy to see how well JC is doing in the midst of treatment. They were also glad to see that her body is tolerating the oral chelation therapy well. Her heart also checked out as working well. The above all factor into the decision to hold off on the transplant process. The goal is to keep her body as healthy as possible over the next six months. If all goes well, she will have another MRI to check her iron levels at the end of the six months. Once her levels are low enough, they are still planning to complete the bone marrow transplant.

This was not the news we were hoping for at this visit, and it has been hard to accept the reality that we will continue to wait. Even in the disappointment, there is much to be grateful for. We are grateful for a healthy heart, a positive response to the chelation therapy, and the fact that there is time to wait. Although 6-12 months seems unbearable, I am reminded that it has been 18 months since we found out about her blood disorder and 9 years of living with epilepsy. God has carried us this far; He will continue to walk with us and carry us through this next season.

These past few weeks have been emotional, but we have had the blessing of spending time with friends and family. I have some sweet, dear friends that bring peace even in the midst of life’s storm, and I am so thankful for the gift of their friendship.

JC is as stubborn as always. Even on her toughest days, she still finds at least one thing that makes her smile. She reminds me often that the little moments matter and taking time to laugh, is always a good idea.

I wanted to leave with a verse that is dear to my heart. I have kept it in my office for years at this point, and while the paper may be old, the verse feels new each time I read it:

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10