Phoebe’s youngest brother Deacon, was just diagnosed with Whooping Cough (pertussis). Most likely Amey and all three boys have it. We were assured that the sickness was a simple virus, but Amey wasn’t convinced and we requested a whooping cough test yesterday.

Our pediatrician is contacting the CDC and our oncologist to figure out what we should. Phoebe and I stayed away from Amey and the boys for two weeks but have spent the last 4 days together, but  neither one of us are showing symptoms yet.

So obviously the big thing here is Phoebe. Please, urgently pray that Phoebe doesn’t contract whooping cough. Also, Deacon has a confirmed case and Amey and the other two boys most likely have it as well.

As always, “we walk by faith, not by sight.”

-Nathan

The past two chemo cycles have been a little less intense. We were home more, Phoebe wasn’t as sick and she even started to grow back her hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. It is amazing what a difference a little hair and eye lashes can make. Phoebe has looked older and much healthier than before.

Two weeks ago, however, she started up on a more intense regiment of chemo and they told us not to get too attached to the hair. Well, today I was cuddling with her on the couch and I noticed a little balding spot on the back of her hair. I grabbed a little bit of it in my hand and it just fell out.

Now don’t get me wrong, I know that this is one of the most benign symptoms of chemo treatment and with everything else going on in her body, her hair falling out is the least of her problems. But there is just something about it that makes me a little sad. I know it will grow back, and her cut hair bows fit better when she’s bald, but I guess it’s just a stark reminder of the severity of the battle that Phoebe faces and the war being waged inside her sweet little body.

Phoebe’s Great-Grandparents treat her to a yummy lunch at Jason’s Deli.

On a happy note, the Fair family is reunited at last and we are all living under the same roof once again! The quiet, relaxed life that Phoebe and become accustom to was suddenly smashed when Deacon, Averic and Benjamin came crashing through the door Thursday night after being gone for 11 days. Now the house is more hectic, messy, rowdy and busy. Really, it’s just full of life again and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

-Nathan

Deacon, Phoebe and Daddy go for a bike ride in the nice weather we’re having.

Ben has cracked one of his teeth in half, but is too sick to get it fixed right now. He doesn’t have much pain and actually thinks it’s pretty cool!

Ben lost half his tooth in a nurf gun battle

Phoebe was discharged from the hospital Saturday night. She has been doing well and will be admitted next week for her next round of chemo. Amey and the boys are still sick and staying at my parents’ house in East Texas, while Phoebe and I have split time between the hospital and our house in Dallas. Wednesday marks 10 days that we have been apart and we really don’t know when Amey and the boys will be able to come home.

Deacon and Averic are feeling better but Amey and Ben are still in the throes of a nasty upper respiratory infection. This is by far the longest I have been away from the boys or Amey since we were married 12 years ago. It is sad, Amey is really missing Phoebe and the boys really miss their little sister. Please pray that the sick ones will heal so we can have our great reunion.

-Nathan

Phoebe plays with her orthotics on.

What a crazy week it’s been. I haven’t seen Phoebe in seven days and I miss her so much. Fortunately, a dear family friend of ours had already loaned us a week at her time share here in East Texas, so last Sunday I loaded up my sick boys and came out.

Deacon started the week off pretty rough and Ben followed suit soon after. They have both been on antibiotics for several days and seem to be doing better although Ben still has some residual coughing. Averic had some symptoms but never really got it full-on, and I didn’t want to be a party pooper, so I got sick as well and am currently nursing my own cough and congestion.

I am so done with all this sickness and ready to be with my girl again, and I know Nathan is ready to be with all of us as well.

I can’t complain too much, because if you have to be sick, the piney woods of East TX and a nice swimming pool are a perfect setting. We coughed all night and slept in each morning and then headed to the pool for the afternoon where I got to do a lot of reading and relaxing. One of the perks of being a home schooling family is that when everyone else heads back to school,  they leave resorts and vacation spots empty. So, we enjoyed a very quiet pool with a couple of younger families with toddlers and another home educating family. It was very nice.

Nathan and I took endless pictures of the kids that were with each of us and sent them back and forth on our phones. Taking a family vacation without half the family was more than a little sad, but God provided for our needs and we at least got to “enjoy” our mandatory quarantine. It was also good that Phoebe was close to the hospital since she needed a transfusion and platelets.

Phoebe was released from the hospital tonight and her Grammy is there to help take care of her so Nathan can get some rest. My Mom stayed with her a couple of nights this week as well to help out. I can’t imagine doing this without the help of our family and friends and even the generosity of strangers. A kind stranger that we met at the time-share this week, paid for the boys and I to enjoy a day at the indoor water park there. I found the tickets pricey and didn’t want to spend the money, but God used this man to bless my boys and I.

And I guess the other most exciting news, is that we are looking at buying a home in East Texas! We have found a little house on some land and we are praying through the process of buying our first home. I will share more detail when I know more, and when I am feeling a little better, but we are very excited. Moving will mean a lot of things for our family; we will have to transfer Phoebe’s weekly therapies and get set up for blood labs at a local clinic who will work with Children’s Medical Center in Phoebe’s care. But it also means that we will be back at home with our church family, we will live 10 minutes from Nathan’s parents and we will be with our YWAM Ministry family. We have been feeling the need for that kind of support for some time, and at least in a few ways it will allow us to move on with our lives. The boys can be a part of the local home school group and we will have grandparents and friends in town to help out.

Moving away from the hospital is nerve-wracking in some ways, but we feel the Lord’s leading in this and that gives us peace. Please pray for us as we try to make this transition; first and foremost that everything would fall into place with the house if this is the one He wants for us, that our finances would come together and all of the details of Phoebe’s medical care would be taken care of with ease. It has been so difficult to make a BIG decision in the midst of all this but making it feels right.

We are all hoping to be together again by Monday if we are better.

Thank you all for praying for us these past several days, and here’s to everyone being healthy again soon!

~Amey

P.S. She took SIX steps BY HERSELF today!!

Phoebe is still admitted, but has had no recurrence of fever. After blood and platelet infusions, she is doing much better. Our biggest concern is she has not slept in the last three days or two nights for more than 20 or 30 minutes at a time. Please pray that she gets some good rest tonight.

Please be thinking of Amey as well, she has caught what the boys were sick with. Not seeing Phoebe for almost a week has taken its toll and it looks like it will be at least a few more days until she will be able to see Phoebe again.

-Nathan

Phoebe received a barbie from a sweet neighbor today, and I got a really good hamburger. I don’t know which one of us was more greatful!