…and believe it or not, it’s for something other than cancer. We were interviewed by Channel 5 in Dallas about our family’s bout with Whooping Cough. You can check it out at the link below:
oh…and here is the obligitory cute Phoebe picture for those of you who didn’t see this one on her Facebook page. The Facebook page name is “Praying For Phoebe Fair”
Phoebe relaxes on the porch
Another of Phoebe’s fellow AT/RT fighters passed away today. She was six years old and battled for several years. Please pray for Avalanna’s family…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_5ZTrmenZo
Phoebe finished her chemo round at the hospital this weekend and is home and doing great! Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.
Phoebe has been in the hospital since Tuesday for her next chemo treatment. She is doing well, here are some pictures of the past few days.
Phoebe walks during Physical Therapy at home on Monday
Phoebe and daddy wait in the clinic to be admitted
Phoebe gets a new hat in the clinic waiting room
While waiting to be admitted, Phoebe wears a fun little wig we found at a thirft store.
A couple of weeks after the brain surgery, a woman came to our room in the hospital. “Do you participate in the Beads Of Courage program?” she asked as she handed me a booklet. I skimmed the pages as she explained the beads and looked over the heavy-weight paper in my hand reminescent of a scantron. Little bubbles to be shaded in beside things like “blood transfusion” and “hair loss”, “neutropenia” and “received antibiotics”. I scrolled down the long list of procedures and events; “received a PICC line”, “port accessed”, “mobility issues”, “physical therapy”, “speech therapy”…..and the list went on.
“Each time she has one of these procedures, fill in the bubble and she can trade her completed card for the beads she’s earned.” As the door closed behind the woman, I sat down and back-logged every procedure Phoebe had experienced up to that point. The next week we traded her filled-out card for a baggie full of beautiful beads. Red for blood transfusions, black for nights spent in-patient, yellow for every poke she had received, a little bald head with a face that represented hair-loss, rainbows for physical therapy, and the big, beautiful, smooth brown bead that Phoebe chose to symbolize her tumor resection surgery. I strung them on the black cord and tied them onto her IV pole. The kids on the oncology floor wheel their IV poles through the halls and proudly display their Beads of Courage. They wear them like badges of bravery.
Each one of these beads represents the strength that these pediatric cancer kids has had to muster up at such a tender age. I hate it that Phoebe has hundreds upon hundreds of these beads. I love it that she has a material way to mark her brave journey.
And the bead she chose for her surgery….
We just want to share with you all an urgent prayer request on behalf of some dear friends of ours. A couple of days ago, Sam and Nicki Brown gave birth to a beautiful little boy at 25 weeks. My math can be a bit shaky sometimes, but that is way too early. He only weighs 1lb 12oz and they are struggling to do even the simplest things, like starting an IV.
Born at 25 weeks, he is only 1lb 12oz
Sam and Nicki were missionaries for years and they, as well as both of their families, have been so encouraging and supportive of Phoebe and our family through all of our issues.
-Nathan
Sorry to keep some of you in suspense. I have spoken at length with our pediatricians, oncologist and a very nice lady from the CDC. Anytime one person in a family acquires whooping cough (pertussis), the whole family is required to take strong antibiotics. So early this week we all started on antibiotics.
Phoebe and I stayed away from the rest of the family, who all have whooping cough. She was scheduled to be admitted today for her next round of chemo through spinal tap and IV, but we decided to reschedule for Tuesday. We have spent most of the last week apart, again. Since all of the “infected” ones have been on antibiotics for many days, Phoebe and I were able to come home today and we are now all under the same roof once again.
Deacon still has a really nasty and typical pertussis cough. Amey and Ben have a lesser, but still nasty cough, while Averic, Phoebe and I are doing great! They tell me that none of us are contagious, but the effects can last as long as 3 ½ months.
-Nathan
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.
An Atypical Miracle 