Day 64, new phase and swaps...

Tomorrow Cooper starts phase 3 of his treament also known as "Interim Maintenance I". He will go in every 10 days to receive chemo through his port and on week 3 he will also get a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) with chemo to his spinal fluid as well as get another bone marrow aspiration (a sample to make sure the cancer is still out of his bone marrow). This phase will last just under two months.

These last two weeks we haven't had to go to the hospital which has been GLORIOUS. He's attended school almost every day for half days and has made it to basketball practice a few times. We were even able to sneak out and attend a Mead basketball game!! I "kinda" watched the actual game but found myself watching Coop and just soaking in the image of him with his friends. They were laughing, making jokes, pushing each other around and throwing up the 3 sign whenever a 3 pointer was shot. Ahhh, to just watch him be 9. 🧡 It will be so fun to watch these boys out on that court together one day!

It's a disorienting feeling to currently be in a spot where Cooper is feeling well and has energy while holding my breath feeling like we are bracing for impact again. I want to relax. I want to come up for air and recover a bit and yet it feels like there is danger just lurking around the corner. I can't fully trust the break we got. The "both/and" are so big in our lives at the moment.

If I'm honest, it's hard to look around and see other families moving on with their lives. AS THEY SHOULD! We are just living in a story that we don't want to be in and can't get out of. The only way is through it, and we have 866 days left to go. I mean, who's counting though ;) I don't feel comfortable here, I can't control here, there is so much fear of the unknowns here. I so desperately want to just crawl out of my skin and move on too!

But I can't.

It's taken a moment by moment surrender of handing the pen over to God. He is the one writing Cooper's story. He is the one ultimately in control. He is the only one who can bring us peace, comfort and joy during this time. That is, when I choose to let him. There are moments I've definitely felt God's comfort and strength. Also, there have been moments where I have attempted to take the control back or let my head spin out (again), only to realize, I WANT Jesus to have that!

Oh, and Bria and I are both sick right now too. How rude huh?! Thankfully, I think it's just a cold but still 😔

Please continue to pray for a wall of protection around Cooper against outside illnesses (his body is already fighting enough!). If you think about it pray specifically around 1:00 tomorrow when we go in for his appointment. Pray the chemo does its job, and then gets its toxic booty out of my boy's body with as little extra damage as possible. Pray for wisdom and peace for David and I as we walk through decisions that should be "easy" but all seem so big. Pray for my girls as they are processing what has happened in their lives as well and find their safe spaces to be seen and loved on.

I have found one place I can control (sorry family!), which has given me purpose and focus. Detoxing our house! I put a post on Facebook and man, you all SHOWED UP! I love asking internet world for advice. I quickly realized that is a MASSIVE project. However, I got some great advice of just focusing on one or two things at a time.

Here are a few swaps I've made and a few links if you are looking for healthy swaps too!! I have a long way to go (and a lot to learn) but looking at this list, I'm proud of what we've eliminated so far!

SWAPS:

cut up plastic plates ---> glass plates

nasty plastic cutting boards ---> stainless steel cutting boards

frying pans that I was embarrassed by ---> toxic free ceramic and stainless steel pans

plastic cups ---> stainless steel and glass cups

fragrance candles ---> beeswax and essential oil candles

tide and downy tablets ---> non toxic detergent (I've tried A LOT!)

dryer sheets ---> wool balls

dawn dish soap ---> non toxic dish soap

cascade dishwasher tablets ---> non toxic dishwasher soap

fragrance filled lotion ---> non toxic lotion

dove deodorant ---> aluminum free deodorant (this was a hard one and I tried about 20 different kinds... but SUCCESS!)

chai ---> almond milk latte's with my own vanilla

clorox toilet bowl cleaner ---> baking soda and essential oil cleaner

ADDITIONS:

air purifier

red light therapy

oils every morning and night on Coop

diffusing oils

epsom salt and baking soda baths (2 cups salt and 1 cup baking soda)

caster oil packs

HUGE thank you to a few friends who have sent me some of my new favorite products!

Ember- She has the connection with Shaklee! Some of my favorites so far there are the laundry detergent, the dish soap (both are already almost gone!), the body lotion, body wash, cleaners and face care! Everything smells so good but without all the added toxins! Also, love their vitamins!

Lori & Kendra- These two have helped me a TON with oils! I put the Frankinsense stick on Cooper's back and feet every night, along with the roller ball "stronger". I also made an immunity and healthy cell mix that I put on him every morning and night. Another favorite is the serenity stick that I put a cross over his chest every night. We also have a diffuser going with lavendar, frankinsense and breathe every night. They even put together toilet bowl cleaners (which is Sadie's new favorite) and a spray for our kitchen and bathrooms. Reach out to them with oil questions! I love all of it!

Darisa- If you want to learn more about Norwex reach out to her! I've always loved their rags (so unique and cleans with just water!), their laundry detergent is great too and just started using their dishwasher soap! So many great options for household swaps!

If you have any additional easy swap tips that you love, feel free to comment below! I always love more ideas :)

OK, I'm tired. Goodnight! Thanks for being our support and loving on us so well! 🧡🧡🧡