We are at the oncology clinic for the third of three lumbar punctures and spinal chemotherapy. Each time we come, Justin must have his port (central line) accessed. He describes this as having a “knife stabbed into his stomach.” It is actually a needle placed in his chest, but I imagine to a five-year-old, it is as frightening as his description.

We just finished that process, and it was truly a nightmare. Justin has had this done enough times now to know and understand what is coming. It took myself, Jeff and two nurses to hold him down and place the access tube. It was a kicking, screaming, hitting mess.

As I held his arms down, sitting behind him and hugging him against me, I kept repeating in my mind, “This is saving his life…this is saving his life.” I also quickly asked the Holy Spirit to pour out a permeating salve into Justin’s heart and mind.

The procedure is not safe and cannot be done if Justin is moving. The Spirit calmed him enough to proceed successfully.

We are waiting on the next phase of today’s treatment. Please pray along with me.

I’m meditating on the following portion of Psalm 18. I think of the time I jumped into the deep end our pool, fully clothed, to rescue a little boy who forgot to put on his arm floats. I didn’t think. I didn’t breathe. I was completely focused on the boy as I reached out and pulled him toward me.

How much more powerful and loving our Father is and how far He can reach into the deepest depths!  Our enemy is cancer, but the hand of the Lord is on us.

16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.
19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.