8 weeks later: an update on Donovan's health and condition

The past eight weeks have been a blur, non-stop activity, many new perspectives faced, fears faced, tears of sorrow and tears of joy. How can I possibly describe what has happened?

So let me give you some salient points:

1. After the initial diagnosis, we reached out and asked for prayer support & some financial support to help with living & medical expenses. The response was heart warming, overwhelming, humbling and certainly lifted our spirits. For this, we all thank you!
2. The stunning news before the chemo treatment began, Donovan showed remarkable improvements. Treatments began and side effects began to take effect. Still we all prayed and stood in faith for Donovan to recover miraculously. At the 14 day mark, they tested his bone marrow and his blood for the presence of "blast" cells - to everyone's surprise, including the doctors, it was clear! We have not stopped rejoicing since then.
3. Treatments continued but soon after the 14 day result, Donovan was released from the hosiptal and was treated as an out-patient.
4. At the end of phase one, at about day 29, bone marrow & blood again tested clear of all blast cells. Donovan was now officially in remission. We did many happy dances and we rejoiced in God's faithfulness.
5. Phase two began a week after Phase 1 ended. Donovan was led to believe that this phase would be a lot easier. He was not prepared for the intensity of the treatment, it was very difficult to handle. He was really ill with the treatment. Another complication is that during phase 1 of his treatment, he fell onto his side, and injured himself. This injury has not healed and in fact, has got a lot worse since then.
6. Today, he went back to the Cancer Hospital at Duke for this week's Chemo treatments. The pain in his side had been increasing in intensity and was not getting better as predicted. His white blood cell count was very low, making him open to an infection. Before very long his temperature began to rise, indicating that the body was indeed fighting an infection. He was re-admitted into Hospital, medication given for the infection and the pain and a blood transfusion begun. The current situation is that the fever has broken, the pain medication is working and after he showed signs of an allergic reaction to the blood, the transfusion was stopped. A chest x-ray has been ordered to get  a better understanding of the pain in his side and he will go for an MRI tomorrow.

What can we pray for at this point?

• Pray that the healing that has been evidenced in Donovan's body, is proof that God has already done the healing, but we need for continual prayer coverage for the battles ahead. We believe that the war is won, we are simply taking each battle, each day in a positive way - Donovan is healed!
• Pray for an accurate diagnosis for the pain in his side, that whatever it is, that is dealt with in the same swift manner that the leukemia was dealt with, in the first week of his treatment.
• Pray for his recovery, complete restoration of his body to full health . Donovan will continue to go through the required treatments for the next 2 years to ensure that the Leukemia does not return. He needs plenty of strength for the journey ahead.