The First Days

“Eating yummy hospital food!” -Christine

A horrific night was met with the beautiful hope of a new morning.

“His mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:23

Some words from Christine that first morning in the hospital, “We are so impressed by the children’s hospital. The nurses are angels! And everyone has made such an effort to make Jas feel special. She got an activity bag full of cool things like a stuffed animal, colouring book and markers, a journal, puzzle, a bunch of art supplies, bath salts… it’s pretty awesome!”

Through it all, and even before this began, we have seen God’s love poured out in such specific and tangible ways. He knows how to love each of us perfectly, with words and gestures tailored for our hurting hearts. We praise Him for that!

That first morning also brought into focus the reality of what would come. Jasmine was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The severity of the cancer will be known in two weeks from the bone marrow biopsy that was done yesterday (Monday). No matter the severity, chemotherapy is necessary, and Jasmine’s first round began today (Tuesday).

The Oncologist informed them that the chemo will be intense and it will be hard. Jasmine will receive several different chemo drugs at once, and the drugs will be administered to her for at least 10 days, followed by a recovery phase and an observation phase. She will be in the hospital for the duration of this, and may be able to come home for a few days before beginning the next round of chemo. The doctors are anticipating four rounds of chemotherapy at this point.

An early birthday gift!

There are a many devastating side effects of this treatment, and the implications of this means a few things: Jas will spend her 13th birthday in the hospital receiving chemotherapy, as her birthday is this coming Saturday, January 26th; she will have to finish out the school year in the hospital away from her friends; and her beautiful hair would fall out. (It was shaved off at her birthday party on Sunday night – post to come!)

As always, Jasmine took the news and changes with grieving but also with grace. She was able to go home to be with her family and sleep Friday night and Saturday night, only returning to the hospital during the days for antibiotics to prep for the chemotherapy.

Smiling after the procedure yesterday.

Yesterday (Monday) Jasmine was back in the hospital and put under anesthesia for the bone marrow biopsy, a lumbar puncture, and the insertion of her central line into her chest. She slept for a few hours afterward and woke up feeling only a little sore from the central line. And our warrior princess was smiling!

We know God has His hand in all of this, and we have seen the little gifts He is giving to Jas in the midst of the pain. The doctors surprised her with one last night at home before the chemo started this morning.

Bundled up and heading home for one last night before the chemo starts!

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled or fearful.” – Jesus (John 14:27)

4 thoughts on “The First Days

  1. Love the pictures of jasmine and her gramma.
    Take comfort in knowing there are people all over the world who have your whole family bathed in prayer
    You are all warriors in gods army
    Blessings
    Linda Adam

  2. I pray for God to show up and show out as Jasmine and the family goes through this difficult journey. I have no doubt He has already prepared people you have never met to be blessed, to be encouraged, to be saved because of Jasmine and her family.

  3. Jasmine-
    We are sending loads of love and thinking about you everyday.
    Xoxox
    Navee Oosterveld and Family

  4. A beautiful young Jasmine; God is shaping heavenly beauty in her life and it will become s precious gold. There is no word can express mother’s heart but I know bit,,, Cheer up! God will bring out all good things through.

Leave a Reply to The Oostervelds Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *