Since his team of oncologists have agreed, at my request, to cut back on dosages of Vincristine, Justin was re-evaluated for CIPN (chemo induced peripheral neuropathy) as well as heel cord shortening by his physical therapist. He has made significant gains in range of motion of his right leg, but very little on the left side.

Justin will resume physical therapy and a most diligent amount of stretching at home. We hope to improve by January or the next step will be to possibly cast his left leg, in hopes of stretching the heel cord to a length which would enable it to function properly. Currently, his left foot is turning outward to compensate for weakness. The idea is an attempt to prevent this from becoming a permanent thing.

Of course, nothing is certain about his chemo dosages at this point because his white blood count is still too high and there are concerns with his liver toxicity screening. And, as you might imagine, any significant amount of stretching is very uncomfortable for Justin.

Furthermore.

To be perfectly honest, as you know I aim to be, I hate that he has this side effect. It hits too close to home. Too much like muscular dystrophy. THE weakness. Please. I deal with it everyday and it’s every bit of extremely annoying. Friends with chronic conditions, relate to me! I know you do, Precious. (As my faithful friend Solomon in Africa would say!)

So.

It’s a waiting game and a one day at a time thing and push on little soldier and buck up buttercup and a focus on being grateful for excellent medical care and, above all, a mind-bending exercise of continually choosing faith over freaking out. And this, of course, is only possible because of an endless flow of grace, astonishingly given again and again and again.

Thank you for your support, kind words and prayers. Not a single word is unnoticed, unread, unappreciated. And, more often than not, I’m hanging onto those encouraging comments for dear life. Grace be with you, my friends.