Latest News...

First off let me say how sorry I am for the long delay between postings. So many of you have called, emailed or written notes of encouragement asking about Caleb, and we are so thankful for your thoughts and prayers.

The latest news is this... Caleb has seen the Oncologist and the Ophthalmologist in the past two weeks. Both doctors agree that there is a mass on his optic nerve and that it is not operable without damaging his vision. They both agree that there is a great possibility that this mass is benign and there is a possibility that it will simply do nothing. There is of course also a possibility that it will grow and cause problems that we will need to address, however we have chosen not to dwell on that which we cannot control.

As far as the diagnosis for Neurofibromatosis (NF) there is not nearly enough evidence to support even a conversation about really. After a bit of reading it turns out that while it is not a necessarily uncommon condition (1:3500 to 1:40,000 births depending on the type) it is a clinical diagnosis and the patient has to demonstrate multiple symptoms, of which Caleb has only the possible glioma.

All of the doctors agree that the best plan right now is just to observe this mass. We need to determine if it is growing and if so at what rate. He is scheduled to have another MRI on the 21st of February. The doctors will use the images gathered from this visit to compare against the previous scans.

Our prayer at this time is that they will either find no change or better still a total reversal of diagnosis and determine that the mass is gone. We believe that the Lord can take this away from him with a single breath, we are praying to this end. The word tells us that we can courageously approach God and that we do not have because we do not ask. We ask you to boldly step before Him and ask Him for this on our behalf.

As you can see from the most recent photo gallery Caleb is growing and changing all the time. He is walking incredibly well and saying daddy, which usually is pronounced di-dy. He is such a blessing in our lives and we are so very thankful for every moment we are with him. He is presently suffering from a double ear infection and a bit of a cold that he can't seem to shake, but otherwise healthy as a horse. He has a great attitude and is a joy to be with.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.... we are grateful for each of you.

Austin & Nicole