Wednesday, January 9, 2013

This is the Week! Luke Update.


     Many of you have been following along and praying with me for Luke, the young son of our good friends Rick and Jami Johnson. After a recurrence of leukemia, it was decided that Luke would need a bone marrow transplant. An overseas donor was found and over the past few weeks, Luke has been undergoing tests and treatments to prepare him for the transplant. It happens on Saturday! The bone marrow is to arrive around midnight and the process will begin. Above you see Luke in the hospital in St. Louis. The quilt is made of squares created by his kindergarten classmates and sewn with love by one of Jami's  friends. 


     Luke and his family left on Sunday to go to St. Louis, where he and his mom will be living for at least the next 100 days. Luke's dad and his two siblings will be back at home with visits on the weekends as long as no one has so much as a sniffle. What could have been a very difficult trip was made so special by our local and state firefighters, who have really taken an interest in Luke and his story. He had escorts from his house almost all the way as each department came out to show support as he passed through their jurisdiction. There were firemen along the highway, waving and cheering him on. What could have been a very frightening trip for Luke and his family was turned into a very exciting and special memory for this sweet little boy. 

     I can't begin to list all of the ways the community, friends, family and strangers have formed a bond of love around this family. They are blessed with so much support and I have no doubt that when Luke is well, they will pay it forward for the rest of their lives. They are the kind of people who have accepted this situation with such grace that I am in awe of them. Last night, Jami was requesting prayer for the child in the room next to Luke's. She is thinking of others, even though her own world is upside-down. 

     Ultimately, Luke is in God's hands. The next days and weeks are so crucial for him. If you pray, an extra prayer for this sweet child would be appreciated. If you don't, some positive thoughts and good energy would be wonderful too. In all our years of marriage and all of the families and children we have known along our journey, we have never had this kind of medical crisis affect a child we loved. It is so hard to watch his parents worry and to know what things this baby has been through so far, and yet Luke has taught me, my family and this entire community so much about being brave and taking each day one step at a time. 

Go Team Luke!

10 comments:

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

What a wonderful , supportive community! And I had to smile at the quilt ...it will be nice for him to have something from his friends to keep close and cheer him.
My thoughts are with Luke and his family.

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Morning Sue,
Wow, I know this has to be an anxious time for he and his parents, but seems like they are handling it with such grace, thru the prayers of God's people I am sure........it is amazing the power in that!
So happy to hear of all the wonderful support they have been given, such a wonderful things. So neat what the firefighters did and your town some time back. Such great things to hear of.......
Will sure continue to pray for Luke and his family, I can only imagine, cause like you I have never had or known any children that young to be so sick until the young boy in our church. He is coming along, about to take his
last chemo treatment, and sure hoping that will be the end of it.
His parents have done remarkably well too, and have had tons of prayers and support. Hearing those things sure refreshs your view of humanity doesn't it!! and we can
sure use that in this world.

May God blessings continue to rest on Luke and his family, and may this bone marrow transplant end this cancer forever, that would sure be my prayer.

Thank you for making us aware of it.
Blessings, Nellie

Thanks for coming by the other day,
and hope you are getting some down time by now..........

Traci said...

Sending lots of prayers!!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Will definitely continue to keep him in my prayers.

Blondie's Journal said...

Thank you for the update on Luke. I pray he makes it through the bone transplant well and I am praying for his dear family, too. It's heartwarming to hear how your community is working together. There is a lot of good in this world when we are tested.

XO,
Jane

Barbara F. said...

Keeping Luke and his family in my prayers. What a brave little boy. Breaks my heart. Sending blessings their way. xo

NanaDiana said...

Oh, Sue- I will certainly pray for this sweet little boy and his family. I pray that God intercedes and "fixes" this little fellow. Thanks for the update- xo Diana

dee dee said...

SUE THAT THE GROUP OF FIREFIGHTER WOULD RALLY AROUND THIS FAMILY... BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES! Prayers are being lifted up here in Ohio!
dee dee

Humble Heart Designs said...

Praying for Luke and his family!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

I am sending prayers for little Luke. Sue.... What a heart touching and inspiring post.
Happy New Year to you too,
Hugs,
Cindy