Update 12

Greetings Friends and Family,

Well, this was a big week for us. Nate began the training for home dialysis (Peritoneal Dialysis-PD), and made it through his third round of chemo, and has begun to taper off of his steroids. Talking to his doctor on Tuesday has lead us to believe that his kidneys have not really responded to any of the therapies attempted and there really are no further medical options in terms of helping to restore any level of kidney functioning.  But it has not ever actually been about the kidneys per se, but about God’s glory manifest through this situation, so we continue to hold on to the knowledge that God has this all under control in ways deeper than we can understand right now.

Nathaniel began this week learning about what procedures are necessary for his in-home dialysis by first learning what to do if he ever needed to do the PD without a machine. It can be done through a “low tech” gravity method which will always be a “back-up” procedure in the event the machine stops working. After learning about that, he spent time learning about the machine assisted PD. You can actually see it in the picture at the bottom of the page, taken after his first night of PD at home. The machine is no bigger than a small suitcase, and although not intended to be “portable”, it can be taken on trips and journeys away from home. Given that dialysis is done all over the nation, there are centers all over as well that can assist him should he ever travel and need it apart from central PA. That’s one advantage to having such a popular disorder! The biggest threat now is the potential for infection if he does not follow carefully and precisely the hygienic procedures for administering the dialysis. He discards all his tubing every day after use, and must abide by some very specific and intentional procedures to start the process every night. He must plan to be on the machine initially for around 9 hours a night which will mean an adjustment to his “student lifestyle”. Furthermore, after two nights, he is realizing the sleep process will take some adjustments and getting used to. His first couple of nights have not been great, dealing with fluid being pumped into him (about 2 liters-worth) and then being pumped out. The weight of the fluid and the space it takes up in his abdomen is not too comfortable as he attempts a full night’s sleep. The positive is, though, he should be able to have more “normal” days and a more flexible diet.

As for our spirits, the nurses and all that have attended to Nate marvel at his attitude and his cheerful spirit and for that we thank God and many of you who have helped to establish a strong foundation of faith and trust in God through your own “pouring concrete” into his life. Nate’s life has been built on a firm foundation through the many contributions of his friends and family and youth leaders over the years and we are humbled at such a “work crew”. We are inspired to do what we can to “pour it forward” as God gives us the strength and ability to speak of God’s faithfulness and grace and mercy to others who may be going through similar situations. God has not abandoned us in all of this, but to the contrary, has shown us the result of the years of living as part of a faithful community of believers that compels us to say along with Mordicai, that maybe we were have been placed where we are “for such a time as this” to bear witness to God’s power and faithfulness. Already, we marvel at the numerous medical procedures that have helped to maintain Nate’s life and we marvel at the incredible physiological workings too wonderful to comprehend. Doctors and others think they know something, but it merely scratches the surface and yet it is far beyond what most of us understand about the human body. We are encouraged by their experience and knowledge, yet we trust in the name of the Lord our God to see us through! Nevertheless, we have all had our “moments” of  anxiety, distress and frustration, but given the circumstances, we all are holding up fairly well. This is as much a testimony to your prayers and encouragement and sharing of concern for our lives as we go through this that we are so grateful to know we are not going through this alone. Again, the community/family of faith is a powerful presence in our lives. Thanks for being there.

Well, this is it for now. We continue to make adjustments and find God faithful in sustaining us. We trust likewise, that you are finding Him equally faithful to whatever place you are at with God as well. Keep up the faith and fight the good fight. Keep in touch as you are able, we appreciate the notes.

Shalom,

John

Btw, many of you know our daughter Hannah is now serving in Chaing Mai, Thailand for two years. You can follow her adventure on her blog : www.PurposefulDiscomfort.blogspot.com and if you ever care to become more involved you can check out her web address for donations by going to  www.WorldOutreach.org/donatations  and select Hannah Bechtold #273