Week 2 Complete - Brave Like A Lion
Yesterday marked the end of Eli’s second week of proton radiation, and we’re thankful to say it was a good week.
Because of the Juneteenth holiday, we didn’t have treatment on Friday, which meant we got an extra day at home together before starting back up next week.
One thing we’ve really noticed this week is how much more comfortable Eli has become with his radiation treatment appointments. What felt scary and unfamiliar just a couple of weeks ago has started to become part of his routine. The Child Life team at Children’s has been amazing, and one of Eli’s favorite parts of every visit is finding all the pictures hidden throughout the hallways on the way back to his room and then again on the way to the proton room.
This week, he even surprised us by wanting to ride back to treatment in the hospital bed instead of having Daddy carry him. It might not seem like much, but for us it felt like a big step. Watching him become more confident through all of this makes us proud, even if it’s a little bittersweet at the same time.
When we got home yesterday, Eli had another surprise waiting for him. Mamaw and Pops got him a brand-new swing set, and Daddy spent the afternoon putting it together. Eli was so excited and couldn’t wait to get outside and play.
Lately, Eli has also started saying, “I’m brave like a lion.” It’s something we’ve told him over and over, but hearing him say it himself gets me every time. He truly believes it, and honestly, he’s right.
As I watch him walk through all of this, I’ve found myself understanding Psalm 23 in a way I never have before. I’ve read the passage countless times, but now those words feel different.
This journey can feel a lot like a valley. There are days filled with fear, uncertainty, and questions we don’t have answers to. But the verse doesn’t say we stay in the valley. It says we walk through it. And the reason we can keep walking is because God is with us every step of the way.
We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who walks beside us. For now, we’ll keep taking it one day at a time and following the lead of our brave little lion.
Thank you all for continuing to pray for Eli and our family. Your prayers, messages, and support mean more than you’ll ever know.
Keep Roaring for Eli. 🦁🩶🧠
