Oftentimes, the relationship between a child and cancer is referred to as a "battle" or a "war." If we think about it, that is the metaphor that we use all the time to describe any relationship to illness. We "fight cancer," we "battle immune deficiency," etc.
In the past few days I've gotten glimpses from those on the front lines of this "fight;" this "battle;" this "war on childhood cancer." And our warriors are fighting so valiantly! But many of them are struggling. Indeed, they are fighting. Please hold them and their families close in prayer.
Patrick, who is in treatment for relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia, was just diagnosed a few days ago with diabetes. Because he is still in treatment for cancer, his medical team is not sure whether it will resolve once he comes off therapy. We are definitely praying so! This new diagnosis is very hard for his whole family to swallow. Please pray for peace, wisdom, discernment, strength, and courage for them as they begin the battle against yet another monster.
Adam, age 7, is relatively new to our Break the Grey family. He was on schedule to receive his last inpatient chemotherapy treatment for medulloblastoma, a childhood brain cancer, earlier this month. However, he suddenly came down with bacterial meningitis. He spent about a week in the PICU and endured two emergency brain surgeries within days of each other. He lost a considerable amount of function on his left side, and is now having to work hard to regain his strength. Once he finishes this latest battle against meningitis, he is set to finish out the war on cancer with his last chemo treatment. Please pray for endurance for Adam and his family. They are ready to be done.
Evan has been fighting neuroblastoma, a particularly aggressive childhood cancer, since 2006. After being treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for over 5 years, Evan and his family have exhausted all treatment options. Evan is resting with his family as they wait for Jesus to take him home.
And there are so many more! I opened up my Facebook page and was bombarded with updates coming from Break the Grey families of other childhood cancer families enduring extremely difficult things. There are many families that I don't know personally who have lost their children this week. In fact, Nick Patrick, one of our own Break the Grey kids, went to be with Jesus last month. Other families are watching their child suffer and doing everything in their power to stop it, to no avail. Others are celebrating their child's birthday in heaven this year. Still others are simply enduring treatment as usual. But that is not as easy as it sounds. They are fighting every single day.
And our childhood cancer warriors are not the only ones doing battle every day. September is childhood cancer awareness month, but this week is mitochondrial disease awareness week. This illness affects the mitochondria cells, which supply the entire body with energy. When they fail, different and entire body systems begin to shut down. We have come to know and love a few families living with this illness.
Please pray for the Hobbs family - they have three children affected by this disease - and for Matthew. Matthew was recently diagnosed, and all of his care and coordination is overwhelming.
And still more kids and families to keep in our thoughts and prayers:
Ellison Kate took her last breath on this earth and her first one in heaven at the age of three months old on August 28, 2011. Ellie is Cooper's cousin, one of our Break the Grey kids and cancer survivors! Please pray for Ellie's family, as Ellie is the second daughter that her parents have lost. She joined her sister, Maddy, in heaven.
One of our Break the Grey kids - although I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to call her a kid - will be undergoing a kidney transplant soon. We met Michelle, age 20, at one of our Break the Grey parties at Kosair Children's Hospital a year or two ago. She underwent a liver transplant at age 2, but her transplant meds sent her into kidney failure. She is currently planning on having her kidney transplant from a living, non-related donor (just like me!) in October sometime. Please pray that the transplant process goes smoothly. Please pray for peace of mind for Michelle, her family, and her donor, and for wisdom and discernment for her medical team as they move forward.
Phew! So, so many beautiful families on the front lines of childhood cancer and other life-altering illness. My prayer is that we would be the reinforcements. May we charge forward with light in the dark, advancing a Kingdom that is imperishable and unfading. [1 Peter 1:4]
Reach the day.
Hoping, Believing, and Never Giving up,
Sarah
No comments:
Post a Comment