I came across this hard-to-look-at-picture of John a few weeks after he had gone through the surgery, we had hoped we would never have to do... the biopsy to discover what was in his brain - it was diagnosed finally at the end of July, after about 5 weeks of trying to find out what it was every way that we could, other than actually going into his brain. He had about half a dozen spinal taps... trying to "see" something in the cells that were in it... no luck. There were also 2 bone marrow biopsies, and many other tests too numerous to mention!
WE finally faced the fact that to find the "smoking gun"... we had to do the surgery. The Lord did answer our plea - we didn't have to go in from the top of his brain, and try to get a "piece" of the tumor from there. Now the scans showed another place in the back of his brain, and they would be able to get to it by going through his cerebellum... we with great fear and anxiety agreed to that, and finally in some of the blood they had removed from the area during the surgery - they found some lymphoma cells - we had the diagnosis, by the skin of our teeth! But we also realized to our horror that John now had ataxia on the left side of his body... unable to control and use it much like someone who has cerebral palsy - now we could see first hand where the cerebral part comes from!
John was very depressed as we returned home - he was unable to walk on his own, and to do much of anything... We started doing things like "cookie therapy"... to get him doing something other than laying on the bed in the fetal position. With his young age and health in every way... but the brain cancer and now the resulting damage from the brain biopsy - he luckily regained his walking ability, yet still looks mildly affected and continues to be limited when it comes to things like sports, and working around the farm, and running, and jumping... We continue to grieve the losses..
As we were going through Reville and Bird Island... on our way up here, and thought of a girl John's age, living in that town - who was sent home to die with a much worse and deadly brain cancer than John - she is using homeopathic healing and lots of prayers, and has lasted much longer and is improving.... how we continue to hope and pray. But also for her family... how they would rejoice to have scans every 3 months with the cancer gone, and to have her back at college and into life - we have so much more to be thankful for, and to continue to grieve this small handicap... seems like we are being less than grateful for John's miraculous healing!
Here is John helping with sweet corn therapy - hanging out and helping family was so important! He has come so far, and we need to be forever grateful and look at these hard- to-look-at-pictures and just recall how very far, and comparing him to others that are not quite as lucky, and having him on his own with his life back, and getting a B+ in college at that too! John, we love you and are so proud of you - not only the strength and bravery you showed in the face of all that you faced to find and kill the enemy - Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma, but also how you have taken the new John and accomplished so much! Be gone in the name of Jesus, cancer, and never return! Our constant thoughts and prayers are with you this weekend... as you are one of the spiritual directors at TEC - sharing your journey in faith, hope and TRUST! We are forever changed as we have come through this Cross to the Resurrection! Jesus we trust in you! Amen and Halleluia!
Bless-bless, Barb - Godson, Davey, is thrilled too!
"Put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of the creator."
Colosians 3: 10
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