Caleb's appointment

We finally got to meet with our Oncologist this past Wednesday afternoon to discuss the growth that they've seen in Caleb's tumor over the last 6 months. Our news was hard to hear. They have seen very notable changes and growth as they look back through the scans over the last 18 months. The team of doctors believe that it is best to begin treatment- that is chemotherapy at this time (which is a year long process). The scans have proven growth over time that is a very real threat to his sight. They believe chemo is the best option at this time in order to stop the growth and/or reduce its size. By treating it now, they believe they have a better chance of success with a lower grade chemo while the tumor is smaller than 3 cm. If we wait and it grows, they tell us we will potentially need a higher grade of chemo and/or radiation to control it, and we would be putting him at risk for losing sight that can never be reversed.

 

  The Oncologist is very supportive in our quest for a 2nd opinion, and we have begun that process with John Hopkins in Maryland and St. Jude's in Memphis. This news has been the news we'd hoped we'd never hear; however, it has now become reality, and we are grieving. It has honestly been a rough few weeks and an even harder few days. This has all hit simultaneously as we have closed on our new home and moved in. Although we are so incredibly humbled by the gift of this home, in many ways the joy of this gift has been overshadowed by the news of Caleb's tumor. It has been hard to leave the familiarity and the comfort of our old home along with the many memories of good times when we are grieving. This new home is unfamiliar, unsettled, and lacks a comfortable place to curl up and cry at this time when we are in boxes.

 - however, the good news is this -there is always a BUT - BUT we are still holding to the goodness of our God and his plan for our sweet Caleb. We do not feel alone and for that we are thankful. We are desperately praying for wisdom at this time and ask that you would join us.

 

Our prayers are these:

1)  that the Lord would make it clear to us the path He has for our son in His journey for him at this time and that we would have the strength to walk in His plan trusting each step of the way

 

2)for the doctors reviewing Caleb's info to have wisdom and clarity as they look with a new set of eyes

3) that if there is a way to keep Caleb from treatment, that the doctors might find that way

 

4) that we would have joy in our hearts even in the midst of this trial

 

5) that Austin and I would draw close to each other,support each other well, and give grace to each other

6) that the Lord would do a miracle of healing like we know He can!

 

 

I was encouraged last night when I read from Psalm 32. It said in verse 8:

 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you...
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.

 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!

 

Thank you dearly for your prayers on our behalf.

Much love,

Austin and Nicole