.....We just wanted to update you a little. Jared got moved out of ICU and is on the bone marrow floor. He is half done with his chemo....thank you Lord !! He is very weak and sleeps a lot but is able to get some food down everyday and we are trying to get him up in a chair for a while each day. His counts are low....which is what the chemo is suppose to do and he has been getting some blood and platlets. Joanna will start a series of shots next Saturday thru Tuesday. Wednesday, Oct.5 they will harvest cells from her and Jared should get them on Thursday the 6th. ....note-Joanna has had to begin to stop nursing and to switch Aubrey over to formula...last I heard she was doing well with it !!
.....When we met with the doctor on Tuesday he was very honest and said that Jared did not have a lot of choices and none of them were very good. But as you know Jared and Christina chose the aggressive course which is the chemo/cells from Jo. The chances for this to work are not that great...10/20 %. We totally stand with them in their decision and totally EXPECT the Lord to move!
......We would appreciate prayers in these areas...
1--Jared to stay strong-body-mind-spirit
2--Minimal side effects from any of the drugs
3--Joanna/Aubrey to be covered in this transition
4--Lots of grace for Christina (and us) and Jess at school
5--Wisdom for the doctors
6--and peace that passes understanding

Thanks so much !
The Waters

Never the less

Well we have taken Jared back to Baylor/Dallas to start and aggressive round of some kick butt take names chemo. It will be 6 days of 2 rounds a day followed up 7-10 days later by a stem cell transfusion from Jo or some other immune system fighting cells. This very tough chemo and he really needs mimun side effect with maximum results. He is in transplant icu because his vitals were a little shaky and they want to monitor him closely. He is pretty sedated because they give him a drug in conjunction with the chemo that will protect his brain. His white cells are around 180,000(4-11,000 are normal limits) and the percentage of blasts(leukemia cells) are somewhere between 80-90%. These numbers have gone through the roof in a few days which gives further concern to the doctors. Discouraging, disheartening, bleak, use your own adjectives to describe Jared's condition. Never the less. The band of brothers in Daniel 3 were faced with such cirmumstances and over the past few months I have thought about it. Their statement to the king was that the Lord is well able to deliver us out of your hand but never the less if He does not we will not bow down to your idols. Fear and terror try to assault us but we will not bow down to them. Our eyes will stay fixed on Him(though they may wander),who is a shield and refuge and who delivers with awesome deeds in righteousness.
Please pray:
1. That Jared would know the L0rd's nearness in this fight.
2.Courage and strength for Christina and us as we try to support Jared.
3. Maximum effectiveness and minimal side effect of the chemo.
4.Wisdom from above for the doctors and staff for next few days.
Thank you for continued support from this band of brothers and sisters.

My Hero

We have received some not so good news today. As indicated by yesterdays post Jared has been experiencing severe headaches and nausea along with other things. He went to the clinic today to run some tests. His blood work came back with elevated white cells, platelets in the toilet, and blasts which indicate leukemia. To say it did not knock the wind out of us would be dishonest yet our hope and confidence is in Him who made heaven and earth. We choose again to run to the battle and not away from it. Which brings me to the title of the post. I have said at different times how good Jared's attitude has been through this ordeal but I cannot really convey how proud I am of him and humbled by the way he has carried himself these past 16 months. Not once has he questioned, why me or be angry about his circumstance. As a matter of fact he was always finding people worse off than himself, showing sympathy for their problems. Not demanding, grateful for what people did for him. Always thankful to the Lord for how He has provided for them in so many marvelous ways. Perfect? No, but always pressing toward the high calling in Christ Jesus.Phil. 3:12. I hope that I can attain to half of his manhood in this life. He is my son and my hero. Sorry about the wordiness but I had to get that off my chest.
So here we are. Tomorrow we get with the doctor(Louis as Jared calls him) and see what the medical options are though he was very honest and said they are limited. We are grateful for these men but our hope transcends them.Ps33:16-19.
So please pray:
1. For wisdom beyond the doctors abilities.
2. Continued courage and strength for Jared and Christina(us too please)
3. No more headaches and nausea
4. Healing from this disease and all it's effects.
Once again thank you to all who check this blog and pray for Jared and us. Words cannot convey our thankfulness. Jared, I love you very much, Dad.

2 weeks to go!

With 2 weeks remaining we urgently request your prayers. I am not feeling well and experiencing a fair amount of pain. We know that the Lord will deliver us from these side effects. We are continuing to march towards the 100 day mark and know we will make it. The road is not easy. This week started off ok and I had a good time at my reunion. However, the last few days have been really hard. I have severe headaches and double vision that is throwing my equilibrium off and making me nauseous. My doctors and I continue to be worried about why my new bone marrow is not making the cells it should be. A lot of things are going on with my body and I need your prayers.
Thank you, love you all!
Jared and Christina
P.S. I can't wait to see my KC family at Thanksgiving!

Day 78 Update

Mom took me to the doctor on Thursday and we noticed my red blood was about half of what it needed to be. They gave me a unit of blood and told me to come back in the morning to get 3 more units. When we arrived Friday my blood was even lower as well as my whites and platelets. After my infusions I felt much better. However, the doctors are really concerned. I should be making these cells on my own now. I am going back on Monday and hopefully will be doing a bone marrow biopsy. They really want to take a look at it. My blood pressure and pulse remain a concern as well. I am really needing prayer with all these issues. This has been a frustrating time with no answers from the doctors. I always seem to be a puzzle (one doctor even told me this).
The good news is the infusions helped and I am looking forward to my 10th high school class reunion tonight.
Overall I feel ok but know I still have a long way to go. Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers.
Love you all!
Jared

Day 71

We got the results back on the echo-cardiogram and all is well!!! My heart looks fine. This is excellent news! However, my pulse is still really high so continue your prayers. Also, my eye is really painful again because we are trying to decrease the steroids.
Thanks again!!!
Jared
Go Chiefs and Cowboys!!!

Quick Update

I had to go to the doctor earlier this week than expected. My heart rate has been too high so a echo-cardiogram was done and we are awaiting the results. Please pray for this. Some meds have been changed so we are hoping this will solve the problem. My blood work is looking pretty good and I feel good.
Love you!
Jared
Day 69

64 and Counting!

I am continuing to look forward to the 100 day mark. They say after this I should feel a lot better. My numbers are starting to come back up from this infection. I had VRE show up again in my blood. I am feeling good. All the antibiotics definitely helped. Yesterday my doctor told me my blood work is looking better again and gave us a week off!
My high school reunion is in 2 weeks so lets hope my energy level gets up. I am looking forward to this. Also, Christina and I would love to be able to go to the state fair this year.
I ask for you to continue to pray for my eye, complete healing. Also, for my high blood pressure and pulse. This has taken away some of my stamina.
I have been home for almost one month now and your prayers have helped me get stronger everyday! We love you and appreciate you all lots!
Jared and Christina