"Not Shrinking Is More Important Than Surviving"

Oak Lawn Park

The Three Brother's Hales

Emma Photo-bombing her brothers

How many more poses do you want to do?

Just before they all... 

...burst out laughing!

They really do love each other!

We are so blessed!

Bryce and Gracie on September 6th

Bryce baptized Gracie

The Hales Family

Grandma Hales, Leon Fowers, Grandpa and Grandma Stakebake

Gracie's Baptism

Tom's Dissertation October 24th

Bryce helped Tom with his Dissertation

The title of this post came to me as I was looking through talks and remembered the talk Elder David A Bednar shared, "That We Might Not Shrink" He was talking with Elder Neal A Maxwell about 'what lessons he (Elder Maxwell) had learned through his illness. Elder Maxwell replied, "“Dave,” he said, “I have learned that not shrinking is more important than surviving.”"

Elder Bednar continued, "In his (Elder Neal A Maxwell) October 1997 general conference message, entitled “Apply the Atoning Blood of Christ,” Elder Maxwell taught with great authenticity: “As we confront our own … trials and tribulations, we too can plead with the Father, just as Jesus did, that we ‘might not … shrink’—meaning to retreat or to recoil (D&C 19:18). Not shrinking is much more important than surviving! Moreover, partaking of a bitter cup without becoming bitter is likewise part of the emulation of Jesus” (Ensign, Nov. 1997, 22)."

I think that one day, we will all face our set of trials and tribulations that will either bring us closer to our Father in Heaven and His son Jesus Christ, or we will allow it to destroy our souls.  We must remember to think about the Savior and what His atonement means to us- each of us as individuals.  The Savior suffered much more than we will ever have to face in this life.

Once again, I have watched Bryce go through much more than I can imagine.  He has been challenged and has fought a good fight- one that is definitely not over yet. Another talk that brings comfort is  "Like a Broken Vessel" by Elder Jeffery R Holland.  In his talk he says, "So how do you best respond when mental or emotional challenges confront you or those you love? Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. As President Monson said ...: “That love never changes. … It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there.” Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart. Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead."

The latest developments have taken a turn- we aren't sure which direction they are turning, but we are hoping for the best.  Bryce started Humira injections on August 11 and was told by our GI doctor, Dr Poole, that he should be feeling better in a month.  (Humira is used on people who have autoimmune diseases like Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc... This helps suppress the immune system and keeps it from attacking the body.)  The Humira pens look a lot like an EpiPen that is used for people with severe allergic reactions.  Bryce was told to inject this medicine into his thighs or his abdomen.  He is lacking any fat on his body for cushion, so he did the injection in his legs, because this was the place he could pinch the largest amount of tissue for his shot.  He alternated from his right leg to his left leg every two weeks.  On October 27th he did the injection and his leg swelled quite big.  It was super sore to put any weight on it for several days, and he felt awful- all over his body.  We talked with Dr Poole and he suggested we try it in his abdomen on November 3rd.  However, Dr Poole was concerned that Bryce might be developing an allergic reaction to the medication.  Blood tests were ordered to find if he indeed was allergic to the medication.  Unfortunately, the hospital sent the labs to the wrong lab and we didn't get the results.

On the 3rd, Bryce was to do another injection.  He was so nervous!  Dr Poole's office called and suggested he take a Benadryl before doing the injection.  I came in the office to help him; He just couldn't push that button.  So, I volunteered to give him his shot.  I asked him to look at me while I counted to three, but once he looked up at me, I pushed the button.  His eyes squinted and the look he had on his face tore at my heart.  I then had to hold the button down for 10 seconds before removing it.  Within minutes his injection sight began swelling.  We are grateful for Benadryl and 24 hour allergy medicine.

We headed back to see Dr Poole again on November 12th.  No more Humira!  Dr Poole is pretty sure he's allergic to it.  Now we are looking into a specific medicine that strictly goes to the digestive track.  He will need to go to a clinic where they will infuse it through an IV into his body.  

As we continue on this journey, we hope that we will find some relief for Bryce.  I am amazed at what he is doing in school and church and life.  He is willing to help where he can.  He is loving the opportunity to go to school and to have a chance to get out of the house.  We continue to pray for Bryce and the doctors who are helping him.  Even though we don't know when Bryce will be well, these are words of comfort, "Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come." Elder Jeffrey R Holland, "An High Priest of Good Things to Come"