Update on EvanMarie

​I know many of you have been praying and want to know how EvanMarie is doing. It’s taken us a little while to post an update because this past week has been incredibly difficult for EvanMarie. It’s like that emotional roller coaster we were on, with some good days and some bad days, broke down and is now stuck… at the top of the loop, and there we are just hanging upside down waiting for the horrible ride to end. This stage of bone marrow transplant has been by far the hardest for her physically and really makes the previous cycles of chemotherapy look like child’s play. The very high doses of chemo leading into transplant have caused intense side effects: mucositis, diarrhea, exhaustion, constant nausea, and a great deal of pain. It has been absolutely heartbreaking to watch our brave girl endure so much.

On top of that, she is now on day five of a persistent fever that only comes down with medication. The encouraging news is that all bacterial and viral blood panels have been negative so far, which means there is no obvious infection in her bloodstream. In just a few minutes she will undergo a CT scan so the team can rule out any hidden source of infection. The most likely explanation right now is that EvanMarie’s body, from her skin to her internal soft tissues, is reacting strongly to the drugs, creating widespread inflammation that is causing the fever.

Even in the midst of this, she continues to fight like a champion. Cana has been by her side constantly, serving as her human “security blanket,” offering every bit of comfort possible while helping her stay calm and hopeful. The doctors continue to reassure us that this stage will pass and that we will certainly see the bright light return to our little girl’s eyes.

Through it all, one thing we know for certain: God is near to us. He is present here in this hospital room. And we are not without hope.

Right now we ask our community to pray fervently, that the fever would break, that the inflammation would calm, and that EvanMarie’s body would begin to heal and recover from this intense treatment.

Please continue to pray with us, friends. We will update you again soon.