{"id":605,"date":"2025-04-11T22:29:16","date_gmt":"2025-04-12T02:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hirtfamily.net\/chris\/?p=605"},"modified":"2025-04-11T22:29:16","modified_gmt":"2025-04-12T02:29:16","slug":"freed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hirtfamily.net\/chris\/2025\/04\/11\/freed\/","title":{"rendered":"Freed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Three weeks ago I was determined.\u00a0 I had just returned to Grand Rapids after visiting Chris when he started treatment in Chicago. It was clear that spring was right around the corner.\u00a0 To me, spring means leaves, and leaves were what I was trying to avoid — poison ivy leaves that is.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So I set out, pretty well covered and ready to conquer the poison ivy that was suffocating many of the trees on our new property.  I like to preserve things, all kinds of things, and I was determined to preserve what trees we had, to the best of my abilities. To me, it was like the vines were cancer, killing the trees. It was very cathartic for me, as I cannot cure Chris of cancer but I could cure our yard of some of its suffocating poison ivy.  Tree after tree I yanked up roots and pulled down vines with all my might, some the size of my forearm.  It was a beautiful sight to see trees once strangled, some with 30 feet of vines, now freed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

1 Peter 2:16,23-24<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Two days later the reality set in.  Though I was well-covered in clothing, I got poison ivy — and I got it bad.  I knew I was allergic to poison ivy, though I mistsakenly believed it was only contact with the leaves.  I was not aware that the vines and the roots could induce such a vicious allergic reaction.  It’s been about 25 years since I had a previous reaction, mostly because Thailand doesn\u2019t have poison ivy!  I\u2019m nearly recovered, thankfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m still learning, learning about poison ivy, learning about Christ, learning about loving my family during not-so-easy times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris is doing quite well, had no contact with poison ivy, and had two good check-in appointments with his team at Northwestern.  He continues to not have any negative side effects from CAR-T therapy.  His bloodwork is all within \u201cnormal\u201d for a patient who has had similar treatments.  His blood markers may not return to normal for many more months as his body gradually recovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesday, April 15th, Chris will have a lumbar puncture, 4 MRIs, and a CT-PET scan. It will be his largest testing day to date.  Then, the next day, we will meet with doctors and review results and hear their recommendations.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We anticipate him returning to Grand Rapids on Thursday evening!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer Points<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We thank God for allowing the kids and I to remain healthy so we could spend a good part of spring break with Chris!! We spent a short time downtown enjoying some classic Chicago sights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayers for us all as we have one last week apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayers for testing, his medical team, and discernment for future decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We continue to thank God for our medical team and of course our family support!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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