Prayer Request: That Joseph’s Neutrophil count will return to normal and he will be protected from infection in the mean time.

Joseph had a check up yesterday, the picture of health and ready to go home and play as soon as his check up was done. However, when we met with the doctor she told us that Jospeh’s neutrophils were zero.  I kept waiting for the zero point something but there was no “point something”. So I asked “Do you mean – zero – as in nothing at all?” and she said “Yes, we have checked it twice – however we don’t see any indication that leukemia has returned just that his neutrophils are absent.” Of course having a zero count on your neutrophils means that Joseph is at extreme risk of infection since his immune system is not functional. In response to this low neutrophil count Joseph has been removed from all chemotherapy for a week. It is hoped that his immune system will recover during that time and he will return to normal treatment.

After the appointment we went home and Joseph was very active playing with his brothers and had a good meal. There is no external indication that there is anything amiss.

It is easy to feel like Joseph is surrounded with the threat of infection, with zero neutrophils the natural bacteria in his body can cause serious infections. However, we are not alone in this situation – the Lord is here and He is acting and He responds to the prayers of His people. I am reminded of the time in Scripture when Elisa the prophet  of God was to be captured and killed by troops of the king of Syria. An army was sent to capture one man. In the morning the servant of Elisa saw that they were surrounded by a hostile army and told Elisa but Elisa was not concerned in the least. Had Elisa lot his senses? Could he not understand the hopeless situation he was in?  Then Elisa prayed that God would allow his servant to see the full situation – what was happening in the spiritual realm and not just the physical realm. Then God opened the eyes of the servant and what he saw amazed him – there was a huge army of FIRE – fiery warriors, horses and chariots that far out numbered the physical army that had come to harm them. Now he could see that it was this Syrian army that was in danger of destruction , not he and Elisa.

And so it is with Joseph – with the God who created the entire universe protecting and sustaining, Joseph can continue in play in peace despite being surrounded with germs and the risk of infection.

Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17 KJV