It had been a long day.   Nathan, Danielle, and I were sitting in an Indian restaurant that we found next to the clinic where we had been consulting with a naturopathic doctor (who won the prize for kindest doc we have met yet, which is saying a lot because the whole medical staff has been terrific.).   We were really encouraged by the visit with him, his role is to help my body stay strong through the chemo treatments, and even help us with supplements that will help the chemo be more effective.  He made the statement to us that he knew it was a lot of info and supplements that he was throwing at us, and that he used to start people on a slower more methodical approach to treating cancer.   Then he said, “That was until my Mom got cancer, and my whole approach changed, I realized how I just wanted to beat this thing with everything available to me.  So I know this is a lot of stuff, but I’m treating you as if you were my sister, it’s the only way I can do it now.”  That was really comforting to me!                                                                                                `                                                                                                                                                So, after not much food all day due to the fasting before my pet scan, followed by a mad dash to the oncologists at another hospital, which made us late for the naturopath appointment, we were tired and hungry!   We had ordered some amazing food, lots of veggies, curry, and this awesome yogurt dip, and I decided to call NICU while we waited.                                                               `                                                                                                                                                This has become part of our routine, because each day is so full of appointments and tests for me, we can call NICU at any time and ask for “baby Hobb’s nurse.”   They are so kind to give us thorough updates.   This call was the best of all.   “I’m so glad you called! I have good news!   Caleb has been weaned entirely off of the nitrix, and five minutes ago we removed his ventilator!”  I handed Nathan the phone and just put my head down and cried.   Just this morning I was trying to remember his sweet little face without the ventilator taped in place.  “Please, Jesus, will you let it be soon that they can remove it?”   And the Lord we merciful.                                                       `                                                                                                                                                He is also entirely off of the morphine, which meant that when we went to see him he was actively moving around, even yawning.   He doesn’t like the feeding tube in his mouth, and I am praying that soon he can have that removed.   The first day of his little life he had loved sucking on the pacifier, and even sucked on the ventilator tube at times.  I think he’d love to get that tube out and enjoy a bottle!                                                                                                                            `                                                                                                                                                 I feel like I have been learning a whole new definition of exhausted the last few days, and last night was the cherry on top.   I could only hold him for a little over half of an hour before I started feeling light headed and weak.  I think it’s a combination of the surgery drugs, so many missed meals due to having to fast before tests, and just the crazy schedule of the last week.                      `                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Today our only exam is a Mugga heart scan at 2:30 this afternoon, so we were able to sleep in a bit, and I am so grateful for the rest that brought.     I’ll be radioactive after the scan, so I won’t be able to see Caleb again until tomorrow, but hopefully this evening we’ll get some time with the four little hobbits across town.   They’re doing well, but missing us as we are missing them.                   `                                                                                                                                                My promise from the Lord for today was in Psalm 56:13                                                                              “For You have delivered my soul from death.

         Have You not kept my feet from falling,

         That I may walk before God

         In the light of the living?”