Prayers Appreciated

    Several weeks ago we found some bumps on Brian's scalp. Immediately we called the oncologist and asked to be seen. His nurse let us know that the he said we didn't need to come in, just to watch the scalp and he would see Brian at next month's appointment. Fast forward a couple of weeks and we take Brian to a well child appointment with our pediatrician, Dr. Foland. We scheduled it a couple of months ago when we decided that since Brian was done with chemo and we were moving into a more normal time period that it was time to get him back established with her. At the beginning of Brian's diagnosis she had sweetly said that if it helps Brian to have one less doctors appointment then don't bother bringing him in for well child checks. Other than the appointment back in July for Brian's eczema right before he had his port removed, he hadn't been to the Pediatrician for an appointment about him in four years. Last Wednesday at the well child appointment she noticed the bumps and was obviously as concerned as we were. She called the dermatologist that did Brian's biopsies both four and three years ago and set up an appointment to get another biopsy. We were devastated because we already knew what all this meant.
   This past Monday we took Brian to see Dr. Watson for his biopsy. When asked about Brian we told her about his eczema that wasn't really going away. She could see it and knew right away that the scalp and the "eczema" were both Histio. Dr. Watson didn't even biopsy the scalp. She was so positive it is LCH again. Her recommendation, and our desire, is to go straight to Texas Children's and see Dr. McClain. We have an appointment in Texas for next Monday, but should hear back today if we need to plan to stay for multiple days to run more tests and scans. We will keep you updated as we know more. Right now please pray specifically that maybe, just maybe we can treat Brian with something other than chemo. He is so sad at the thought of another port and more chemo. It's been a very long four years.  

Last Wednesday when the pediatrician confirmed what we had suspected, Fred and I were very upset. That evening at our church prayer and praise every song was speaking to our hurting hearts. I talked with a sweet friend, who is also dealing with her own illness and possible additional chemo, about the song All Who Are Thirsty. The chorus Come, Lord Jesus, come is the prayer of our heart. We have a longing and desire for our Savior that deepens with each step we take in this life. Psalm 42 is on our hearts. We do not question His love for us or His faithfulness to us, if anything it is more confirmed in our life. But our hearts still hurt for Brian.

Some of the songs we sang: It is Well With My Soul, All Who Are Thirsty, He Knows My Name

    

 Majority of our church was in tears last Wednesday evening. We have a lot of illness and pain right now. Not just in our family, but there are several families in our church with heavy burdens right now. The tears shed with our family encourage us as we know we are not alone. God reminds us of HIS presence through the body of Christ.

Our sweet small group on Sunday evening spent time in prayer for all the things going on in the lives of our church family. The children were asked to write a prayer or a praise. Brian drew this picture:

 It's a picture of himself on a hospital bed with a doctor beside him holding his port. He said it's a praise that the doctor took his port out and he doesn't want another one. As you can imagine several of us were in tears. It's been a difficult few days and we imagine the coming days will also be a challenge. We plan on having EVERYTHING that requires the eyes of the doctor to be done in Texas. We want Dr. McClain to be the one looking at Brian and making decisions. We know how hard and how costly this experience was here in Pensacola with the hospital down the road. We get overwhelmed at the thought of going through all of it again and in Texas. One day at a time. HIS mercies are new every morning.   We appreciate the prayers.