Justin attended school Friday and today for a short time each day. We are trying to ease back into normalcy. The socialization and structure are both really good for him. Our goal is to go to school for a short time every day this week. We have also been working hard at home and Justin is almost caught up!

Focusing on academics with Justin unfortunately reminds me of a potential negative side effect of chemotherapy. The medication that is being injected into his spine is to prevent remaining leukemia cells from spreading to his brain and nervous system. However, this medication can also cause memory loss and learning disabilities.

I’m not one to quote a lot of statistics because, first of all, I don’t often read them to avoid unnecessary anxiety and, secondly,  God is able to operate outside our human capabilities. But our oncologist is required to relay all the possible side effects. ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) patients are at a 20% risk of experiencing cognitive difficulties as a result of chemotherapy.

And you want to know something crazy? I’m not in the least bit worried. My son was given a second chance at life and I’m going to worry about how fast he reads? No way. Whatever comes, God will give us the grace to handle it. Anyway, I’m more concerned with Justin getting to know Jesus than being top of his class.

Justin continues to regain his physical strength, but still becomes easily fatigued. We will resume IV chemotherapy next week. We’re enjoying some time off this week and focusing on Justin getting to be a “normal” little boy.

And, to us, some plain old ordinary moments seem rather extraordinary.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.” Habbakuk 3:17-19