Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Prayers for Luke

 
 
     This will be a different blog post than usual. You see, there is something more important going on than anything I could write about food, flowers or decor. That sweet little boy in the picture above, he is very sick and because I believe in the power of prayer...I want to share a little of his story with you.
 
     Luke is the son of close friends of ours. His dad works with my husband. He started kindergarten this year and he loves baseball, Hot Wheel cars and his brother and sister. Around two years ago, his parents were blindsided when what they thought was a playground injury turned out to be leukemia. I can't begin to tell you what they went through for those first months. Weeks in the hospital in St. Louis (about 100 miles from us) followed by daily trips back and forth after he was released. Many trips to the ER, horrible sickness from the chemo and the tests all while his mom was nursing their youngest child and his older brother was in the first grade. It was worth it all, the leukemia went into remission and for the last year he has taken maintenance chemo by mouth and had monthly trips to St. Louis. While there were still a few bumps along the way from reactions to testing or his weakened immune system, he has been a healthy, happy little boy for a year.
 
     Last week, this young family was stunned once again. Luke's routine monthly checkup showed the leukemia was back. His spinal fluid is 95 percent leukemia cells and it is also in his bone marrow. The picture above was taken this past Sunday...you would never guess he is a sick child by looking at him. His older brother's coach arranged for him to get to play on the team for a game, which was a dream come true for him. His two-year-old sister and his brother (a third grader) have both been tested for a bone marrow transplant. The results will take two weeks to get back. Yesterday, he started agressive chemo and his family is facing driving to St. Louis every other day until December, with a few days spent in the hospital there. If all goes as planned and one of the children is a match, the transplant process will begin in December with Luke and his mom staying in the hospital for 100 days and then in St. Louis for another 100 days. Christmas will be spent in the hospital, mom will be away from her other children for 7 months, dad will be working full time and taking care of two small children and the things that Luke will have to endure are just too painful to write about.
 
     They are an amazing family. They have a strong faith and support from family and friends. They have used the past "healthy" year to raise awareness and funds for research for childhood cancers. They give of themselves to others and they have been through more than any family that I have ever known. As I discovered "the plan" for their next year...I was simply overwhelmed by what they have to face and yet when we visited with Luke's dad on Sunday, he was ready to do whatever he had to do to save his child and he was already talking about how they planned to give back once Luke is well. I am old enough to be their parent, but they seem so much wiser and stronger than I will ever be.
 
     There is so little that we can do as their friends. A plan for taking meals is in place. (Have you seen Mealtrain.com-fabulous for things like this). They have volunteers for babysitting and Luke's dad has been told he can work some days from home. Mostly, what they ask for is prayer. Right now, the prayer is that one of the siblings is a match. This is the best possible thing that could happen for Luke.
 
     Because blogging is my way of reaching many people, I ask for your help. I ask that you pray for our friends and for Luke if that is what you believe in. If not, I ask that you just send good thoughts and positive energy their way. I ask that you consider signing up to be on the bone marrow donor list, because I know this would be something our friends would want others to consider. If this touches you in a way that you would like to do more for this family, send me a message and I will tell you how you can do that.
 
     Last week was one of those that was extremely painful for all of us who love this family. It was so unexpected and it made us all feel so helpless. It also made me very aware that anything in my life that I've been complaining about...is nothing. So, if you are so inclined...please take just a moment to add this sweet child and his family to your prayers today. Thank you.
    

22 comments:

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

Sue, I will send prayers up and pray especially that there is a match. God bless them and God bless you for sharing their story.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

I definitely will add this little boy and his family to my prayers.

Jane Ries said...

My great nephew just went through this last year. He is now a happy, healthy 4 year old. I will keep this family in my prayers.

-danielle- said...

sending positive feelings and prayers that way. I am glad to see someone reaching out for someone else, so unselfish. poor baby, I can't even imagine being in the middle of something like that. We will keep him in our thoughts and prayers, here. Danielle - CraftPlayLove.com

Blondie's Journal said...

Thanks for sharing this story with us. The strength of this family is truly amazing and heartwarming. I am sending many prayers...I, too, believe in the power of prayer. Please keep us updated.

XO,
Jane

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Sue I'm on my knees now..Please give us updates on this family..Many Blessing to them and you..Hugs and love Gloria

Barbara F. said...

I am going to say prayers and light candles and in fact will say a special Child's Novena for Luke. I believe in the power of prayer. xo

The Quintessential Magpie said...

This is an important post, Sue, and I pray in Jesus name that he is healed of that awful disease.

My cousin had it, so I know.

I pray for strength for the entire family and for a cure for this once and for all.

XO,

Sheila

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Hi Sue,
Thank you for sharing this, I will certainly be praying for this dear lil one, and for his parents, I can't even imagine what they must be going thru. I am so thankful to hear they have a strong faith, as I am sure that is what is getting them through.
Yea, it really makes you stop and think when you see folks going thru such hardship, gives us a reality check for sure..............
Will sure be praying hon,
Blessings, Nellie

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Hi Sue,
Thank you for sharing this, I will certainly be praying for this dear lil one, and for his parents, I can't even imagine what they must be going thru. I am so thankful to hear they have a strong faith, as I am sure that is what is getting them through.
Yea, it really makes you stop and think when you see folks going thru such hardship, gives us a reality check for sure..............
Will sure be praying hon,
Blessings, Nellie

Terry Kempfert - Heritage Maker, Certified Engraver and Calligrapher said...

I am a registered bone marrow donor - I hope I can supply a transplant for Luke. My son Nic is a 2.5 year Leukemia survivor - he received a transplant from our other son, Mitch. Never, never, never give up. Believe he will be well and he will. I will add this young man to my prayers - have faith and he will get better.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

My heart goes out to them Sue, what an amazing family.
Sending prayers, good thoughts and lots of good energy their way.
Hugs friend,
Cindy

Anonymous said...

Keeping Luke and his family in my prayers!

bj said...

O, my, Suz...my blanket prayer for all my blogging friends will include Luke. Thank you for letting us know...this way, we can pray for him.

Linda said...

He is in my prayers....

xinex said...

Oh see, the story of this family saddens me but their strength inspires me. I will certainly offer prayers for them. Thanks for sharing...Christine

dee dee said...

Oh Sue,
I will be lifting this little boy and his dear family up in prayer during this time. Please keep us informed. When things like this touches the ones we love....I breaks our hearts too. dee dee

Leigh Powell Hines said...

I am so saddened by this because as you know I have children around the same heart. Nothing breaks my heart more. I will thinking of them.

Gypsy Heart said...

This post gave me chills and made my eyes leak. One wonders just how much one family can endure. I will add them to my prayer list and share with others. I pray for a match, for their strength and for healing.

xo
Pat

Gypsy Heart said...

This post gave me chills and made my eyes leak. One wonders just how much one family can endure. I will add them to my prayer list and share with others. I pray for a match, for their strength and for healing.

xo
Pat

Jenny said...

God bless this beautiful, brave family.

I am unable to be a donor but I have looked into it.

It is something I would gladly offer to help anyone have hope.

I will add this little family to my prayer list.

Thank you for letting us add our prayers to yours.

Sue said...

I can't imagine going through this with a child or grandchild. Many, many prayers will be said for the entire family.