Day 17

Another platelet count, now dipped to 35,000. This is normal but we look forward to the slow climb back to normal. His white cell count seemed stable.
No need for any platelets to be given or transfusions so a good appointment.

Halfway through John's IV I (Amanda) began to be feel very weird. I have seen him and many others I know have IV'S a bunch of times but for some reason I felt very sick seeing it this time. I stumbled the bathroom and slid down the wall, I could see the room spinning and I felt hot and sick. I could not shake it so I decided to go back and tell John. We both decided I should go the ER; better safe than sorry. This way we would know if what was happening in me could be passed onto John. The Dana nurse said my blood pressure was very low. After an hour in the ER, all my tests came back normal. "It's just one of those strange viruses" the nurse said. I had a similar deal a year ago but this was much less severe.

Fortunately I have been feeling a little off this last few days so had been wearing a mask in the house and sleeping on the couch. Good job.

So today I am wiped out and so is John- The Caton's are officially both in sick mode!

Please continue to lift us up in prayer, thank you so much to those who faithfully do so. Pray I (Amanda) can get back to normal soon so I can care for John. Also pray that in that process I can take better care of myself, I guess I have been neglecting that a little.

Day 14

On Wednesday we went for another appointment with the nurse, Bonnie, at Dana Farber Cancer Center. John's platelet  count has now taken a dive down to 58,000 and his white count is very low. This is all normal but we were shocked as John had been feeling quite well. The nurse speculated that because John has been sick is whole life he perhaps has just learned to function through tiredness, she is probably right.
John's low platelet count and white cell count make him extra vulnerable to infection so we are super quarentined this week, no visitors. I (Amanda) am taking all the immune supplements  money can buy to ward of any incoming infection! So far so good but please pray I can stay healthy.
We have another  appointment on Saturday to check the platelets and white cells and they may give him so meds to up his white cell count.
In 2 weeks we will have the anticipated chimer-ism test; this will be able to tell us how much of Ian's stem cells have taken over John's! We are so excited. It's just a first step if that comes back good but it's a big step!

What is "Ministry"?

By Amanda Caton

Back in December I was praying and asking God to speak to me about what ministry looks like for me in the next year.

I have been staffing our third Creative Arts in Worship school and loving every minute! I love teaching and encouraging these young people, they inspire me. However I will not be joining them on their outreach phase which begins in a month and lasts 8 weeks, essentially the rest of their school. I am tempted sometimes to feel as if I have abandoned them, done only half a job.

As I prayed and asked for God's words and guidance as to what His plan was to be for this year. I confessed to God it broke my heart not to be able continue with this team. But God showed me that this year I have a ministry only I can do, a calling only I can fulfill.

I confess I often believe the most "holy" and the "best" way to serve God to is go and tell as many people about Jesus as possible! His great commission is surely the top call? But now God is calling me to care for one, John. John is my ministry this year. Caring, supporting and loving John is my call today, this year and for my life.

God went on to show me that "there will be a breakthrough in our marriage" this year, that this will be a time of building strong foundations.

If we submit,

If we obey,

If we commit,

No compromise.

As far as the school goes, I am deeply committed to them also; they are like family to me. God showed me that I am to be their "prayer warrior" and their "prayer covering". This will be my job in the team and the way I will show my love to them.

I remember about a year ago, our friends Annette and Anita, ministers from New Hampshire, visited our base and prophesied over me that God will be giving me a ministry to family. I wrote this down but never really gave it much thought. But now looking back over the last 7 months of my life I see that my main areas of ministry have been the ministry to my mum and my family in the wake of my dad's death and to my husband as he walks the long road to healing.

Is this ministry any less or greater  than the Great Commission? No it's just different.

It's God's specific call on my life for right now.

And don't worry, I will still be out there whenever I can, sharing Jesus with who ever I can on the streets! I am just coming to an even deeper understanding of what ministry looks like for me in 2011.

Day 12

John is doing "excellent" in the words of his nurse!
The doctors predicted that his platelet count would be at his lowest this weekend. John awoke Friday feeling quite weak and tired but still in good spirits. At his appointment on Saturday the nurse took a platelet count and he was at 129,000; some people bottom out around 50,000 so if this is John's lowest than that's really good! Our next appointment is Tuesday or Wednesday. John has been feeling good since Sunday.
Today is John's Birthday, 28 years old! :)

Day 6

Today we went to the hospital for a platelet count; 200,000. It has been slowly dropping since John came out of hospital; in the next week it will probably drop to under 50,000. John will be tired, easily bruised if he knocks himself and generally feeling very drained. Please pray for us during this time, it is completely normal for this to happen. In the next weeks Ian's stem cells should graft onto John and begin replicating. The next few weeks are the most dangerous and the most important.
All of his tests were good today so we are doing well so far!

Day 4

Our List of Rules for visitors

Phew! John got to come home on Day 3 (we are now in plus days, with the transplant day being day zero!)
To have him home was both exciting and relieving and also scary. Beth has been an amazing help to me these last few days! Helping me clean :)

The sign above my sink so I don't forget!

John has a list of medications as long as our kitchen door, which in fact is where the sheet of them is stuck! It's a little overwhelming to remember when he takes what but we are getting there. Nutrition this year will be the toughest, so many restrictions and guidelines of how I cook and serve. I have to soak the sponge in part bleach and water every day, change it every 2  weeks, wash and dry the dishes (air or paper towel) before and after I use them! Cooking and baking take all my brain now, no longer will I bake to relax!

The next 100 days will be the hardest as the most dangerous because he is most prone to infection. This is why we are limiting to visitors; only close friends and family, please do not be offended if we respectfully decline your visit.

Hanging out playing Wii in the latest fashion!

Today is Ian and Beth's last day with us ; here they are all mask and gloves!

More coming soon...hope you are enjoying reading about our journey!

Much love to you all

Finally Day Zero!

A Joyful day in pictures- Stem Cell Transplant 5th January 2011

John with the Stem cells

John and his Dad

John with brother Ian and Beth and Amanda

John and his Mom