Seventeen chemotherapy treatments to go. Justin happily ripped the eighteenth link from our paper chain countdown.

I can sum today’s clinic visit in one word: Buzzy.

The game changer.

A doctor has invented a device that is placed on the child’s arm above the site of the dreaded needle stick. It vibrates or “buzzes” like crazy and somehow blocks pain signals from reaching the brain.

It’s shaped like a bug and the “wings” are frozen gel packs which act to help also numb the arm. Buzzy. This thing is genius.

There were no tantrums, no failed IV placement. It was, seriously, a miracle.

In other good news, Justin’s white blood cell counts are finally where they need to be. His chemotherapy dosages will not need to be continually increased.

Well, ya gotta take the bad with the good.

We are waiting on some test results. Justin has not been able to shake what his nurse originally said was a virus. He is being tested for infection.

A big, huge thank you to some very special friends. Luke, you were an awesome support person for Justin today!  Kathy, thank you for walking into the fire with me, again and again, bringing coffee, snacks, your problem-solving skills and kind words.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. Psalm 145:13b-14