We walked in to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital this morning with hope and we walked out feeling like we had been hit by a bus. We still know this is the best place for us to be. But as we went over 40 pages of protocol describing the horror Izzy would be subjected to over the next 15 months we began to see that hope doesn’t always come in a pretty little box.
We will spend the rest of this week finishing testing so that they can confirm the staging Indianapolis determined. Next week treatment will begin.
We’ll start with chemotherapy. Six doses, each of which will be administered during a 5 day inpatient stay. There will be a 2 to 3 week gap between each dose. They also plan to place a permanent feeding tube through her nose during the first week which will remain in the duration of the 15 months. Most children are too ill during treatment this aggressive to eat and maintain a healthy weight.
After the 6 doses of chemo we’ll be inpatient for a few days for a stem cell harvest. After that the abdominal tumor will be removed. Then two more doses of chemo.
Then she’ll go through what’s called MIBG therapy. It’s a special kind of chemo that combines radiation. Afterwards she herself will be so radioactive that she cannot come into contact with people or things for 7 days. She will stay in a special room with lead walls, ceiling, floor and bed. Kendrick and I will take turns caring for her wearing safety suits. She won’t be able to bring anything in the room with her (like her favorite blanky) because if she were to vomit on it or something it would have to be destroyed.
Then she will receive her stem cell transplant. This will require the longest inpatient stay lasting possibly as long as a month.
After that we do some regular radiation and some special kind of chemo called Immunotherapy. It’s too complicated to explain and I’m too tired.
And there it is. That should put us at October next year. I can not even begin to imagine the drastic toll this will take on our family. It grieves me in a way that words cannot express.
But we will press on. We will move forward believing that the Lord is walking every step of this nightmare right by our side. And when we are too weak to walk we know He will carry us.
izzystory 
You probably don’t even know me. I went to school with Kyle. Heard about Izzy’s story and I am praying for you guys every minute I think of it. I am also adding you all to our prayer list at church. People who don’t even know you will be lifting you and sweet Izzy up in prayer . Keep trusting in the Lord even when it is so hard. He will never leave nor forsake you.
We have never met you but Lindsey and Ben have talked about your friendship and what it means to them. Our prayers are with you all
as you face these difficult days. We will also have our church here pray.
Hang in there friend! Praying!
I’m horrified with u…..Thank goodness for Jesus.
My husband Matt Morris and I (Laura Scharnowske Morris) went to Highland with Molly. We are praying each and every day for your family. Is there a mailing address in Cincinnati where you can receive cards, etc.? All of my co-workers are also praying for your family. I will put in a prayer request at our church too.
When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. “The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” says the Lord. “As for Me,” says the Lord, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the Lord, “from this time and forevermore.” Isaiah 60:19-21
Praying for ALL of you through this battle you are in.
Cindy ~ Collette Brannon Bonkellas mom and friends with Shari & Shannon
My heart goes out to you Molly and your family…i will continue to keep Izzy and you all in my prayers daily…
Molly,
My heart is so heavy for you. I haven’t seen you in so long, but you and Kendrick, Carter, and Izzy are never far from my thoughts. I love you and am praying for a complete healing for Izzy! Thanks so much for doing this blog.
Carmen
Molly, Thanks for keeping us updated. I am sure it is hard, when you are so tired, and emotionally drained…but we are so concerned and looking to see if there has been another post. Autumn and I have prayed, and shed tears when we heard what you are going through. Praying for you and your family, many times a day. Jesus answers prayers…and will give you strength to make it another day. Trudy (Autumn’s Mom)
Molly,
Collin and I pray daily for your family. You guys have constantly been on my mind. Please let us know if you need us for anything! Even if you just want to get away from the hospital or whatever… we are in the Cincinnati area. Love you guys. Stay strong.
Audrey
Molly & Kendrick,
You are never far from my thoughts and prayers. I am amazed at your Faith, I know we serve an awesome God, and I have prayed for you both and for Izzy, but your blog and facebook updates have brought me to tears. Not just thinking about what your little family will be going through but how strong you are in your faith. May it never falter, always keep your eyes on Jesus..it’s the only way. Praying for you all! Love you guys!
Molly,
This is from the book Relentless Hope by Beth Guckenberger. Christine read it at the prayer vigil for Izzy on the 28th. I pray for your family daily if I can do anything at all please let me know.
No matter the desert, no matter the wilderness, there is nowhere we can wander off to, no land where the heat is too strong, nowhere God can’t make a roadway or river of living water to refresh us.
God is doing something new. The story may look grim, but he’s turning the page. What are my choices?
Despair. Discouragement. Anger.
Self-pity. Self-righteousness. Self- destruction.
Or.
Faith. Grace. Joy
In others, with others, in and with myself, in God.
Hope.
For a lifeline, for a bigger picture, for a heavenly purpose, for what we need exactly on time.
I will lean in. I will stand up. I will reach out. I will hope.
Relentlessly.
That’s awesome. Thx.
I heard about your family through a friend of a friend. Please know you, your family, and your special little Izzy will be in my prayers.
Hi Molly and Kendrick,
I just spoke to mom and heard about your sad news. What an awful thing to go through for all of you. We are thinking of you.
Aaron and I would like to offer whatever help we can. We live about 5 minutes from the children’s hospital, so if you need a place to stay or a bit of “normal” or someone to look after Carter -really anything – please don’t hesitate to ask. We will be here for you.
My name is Courtney Weston and I went to Highschool with Molly also…I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers each and everyday and I know that the Lord is walking each and everyday with Izzy and loving her and going to make her well again..If you need anything at all I am here. I will be here through this with you and Izzy until she is healthy and strong..
I’m praying that God will sustain and deliver! These are the words and protocols of men. Our God — he defends the afflicted among the people and saves the children of the needy; He will crush the oppressor. Psalm 72: 4
This was so painful to read, I can’t even begin to imagine going through this. We are praying for strength through this time for your family.
I am so sorry sweet friend.. love u guys so very much & am here for you.
Oh Molly and Kendrick my heart goes out you. This is debby,Jessica’s mom. All I can say is that I’m praying my heart out and I mean that.The adversary(Satan) makes me so mad so a friend and I are looking at this as warfar and we r interceding for Izzy, I will pray and proclaim Gods promises of healing for Izzy every day…. Holding u all up in prayer and love!! Debby
Exodus 23:25
Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.
Psalm 103:3
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits–who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
We love you guys and are standing with you!
Hi. I worked with Sharon Burke and I am praying for your family. I put your plight on my church’s prayer list- the Arcadia Christian Church. God bless you all. Take it one day at a time. God, give them their daily bread. God give them strength. Please Lord let them feel your presence. Help them to remember your promises. Let them feel your love and grace. Lord give them peace. Above all else I pray you bless this family, Lord. Thank you for this family, Lord. Help them through this, Jesus. I pray Izzy doesn’t have pain. Please send your angels around this family to comfort and help them. Jesus. I pray these things in Jesus’ name, Amen
Jesus I also pray you keep this family together. Let nothing pull them asunder. Thank you, Jesus. In Your Holy and Precious name, Amen.
Our hearts go out to you. God is watching over each of you during this time. Crawfordsville First Christian friends, John & Pat Hooper
You don’t know me, but I just want you to know we are praying for your family. For what it is worth I know you will have an amazing support system. Please be sure to surrender yourself and lean on those around you. I am so sorry your family has to go through this. If you can think of anything any of us can do for you please post it! I was also thinking from Izzy’s view on what I just read and my heart just breaks when I think of those 7 days she will not be able to touch anyone or anything. I know its not the same, but can you please email me a picture (or post) of her favorite blanket. I work with children and sometimes families will by multiples of the blankets. I would really like to try to attempt to buy her a spare that you can throw out if she does happen to get sick on it. God Bless your family and stay strong! – Polly (mrscamery@yahoo.com)
Hello there,
I am a friend of James and Kathy Fowles, and I’ve been reading (and will be reading) your blog thanks to the link they posted on Facebook. Rest assured that your family, especially Izzy will be in mine and my wife’s prayers.
Sincerely,
Jingo de la Rosa
Bloomington, IN
Hello there,
I am a friend of James and Kathy Fowles, and I’ve been reading (and will be following) your blog thanks to a link that they both shared on Facebook. Rest assured that your family, especially Izzy, will be in mine and my wife’s prayers.
Sincerely,
Jingo de la Rosa
Bloomington, IN
Grit your teeth and keep pushing forward. Through all this you will find you have more strength than you knew you had. The Gaddis clan are praying for you guys and cheering you on. Sending love your way.
Molly, We think of you all and pray for you every day. My heart is really grieved looking at the 15 month plan….but we are expectant for God to redeem this crisis and to show him self very real and very loving to Izzy and you all.
Sarah Jaros
I love you, Molly and your family. I am interceding along w/ my family. I am sorry you hurt but just know you have many lifting your & Kendrick’s arms up even if you do not feel like it. Will be in touch soon. Pam
Prayers continue as you continue to walk through these days of concern. We are currently visiting my son and family in Canada and they are all keeping Izzy and the family in prayer. Pat & John