Our little Ronan Godfrey was discharged from the hospital at City of Hope last Monday – much earlier than expected after about 45 days! He was to return to the hospital at least three days a week but at least the whole family would be sleeping under their own roof. However, Ronan has come down with a fever and is back in the hospital. Once again, our faith and prayers are requested in his behalf.
We also have another sweet boy, also 3 yrs old, who has had a bone marrow transplant, and needs our prayers. His name is Jacob Long and he used to live in Redlands 1st Ward with his mom and dad, Kylene and Joshua, and brother Ethan. Kylene and the boys came to workdays, so many of you may remember them. Jacob had his transplant at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles on April 15th, and has had a lot of ups and downs since then. Jacob was discharged 10 days ago (July 20) after 91 days, but tests since then show that one form of his donor cells is very low and he needs more stem cells from his original donor (if the donor is willing). Otherwise, he will need to start the entire process over with a new donor. Please pray for all involved here. You are invited to follow Jacob’s progress at http://thelongfamilysblog.blogspot.com.
Below are two pictures of Jacob at the hospital and one with his brother, Ethan, in March before the transplant. The middle one is of Jacob and 5 year old Ethan, sending hugs to each other through the doorway to Jacob’s room since they weren’t allowed to touch.
Please remember Ronan and Jacob and their families in your prayers and invite your children to join you. Despite everything they are going through with their own little boys, both Ronan and Jacob’s mothers have asked that we also request your prayers for a child each has met in the hospital. The last post describes Rachel Godfrey’s request for us to encourage more people of racial and ethnic minorities to join the registry, as those from minorities groups who need bone marrow transplants have a far less chance of receiving a good match due to there simply not having many choices available. A five-year old boy in a room next to Ronan was dealing with this very situation (see last post).
Jacob’s mother, Kylene Long, asked that we share this story about now 8-week old Katelyn, who is being treated at CHLA. She is in need of a lung transplant in order to survive. Kylene feels that the more the word is spread, the more likely someone who is in the position to donate, will think of Katelyn. The link to the story is: http://www.chla.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ipINKTOAJsG&b=6089699&ct=10861737¬oc=1.
Let me add one more: A couple of weeks ago, four of us went to LLUCH to meet with the nurse who is director of the NICU Bereavement Program which we will be making things for. While scrubbing up to enter the NICU area, we met a new young father who was there to be with his tiny new baby daughter. During our short visit, he enthusiastically said, “Our daughter is doing just awesome! She just got put on the heart transplant list yesterday!” He explained that she was already doing so much better than any doctor had predicted, predictions which began just a few months into his wife’s pregnancy right up to the day before we met him. It turns out that this dad and his family are members of the church and are attending Redlands 1st ward while here at LLUCH. Please add this fifth little child your list.
Stayed tuned for news of what we have coming up for next week’s (August 11th) workday!
Meanwhile, if you want to stop by Pic’n Save or the 99 cent store, we’re looking for buckets, laundry baskets, cleaning products, cleaning rags, dustpan, and anything else a family might find helpful in setting up house in a new apartment. Thanks!
