Memorial Box Monday - Cancer Free!

Today's Memorial Box story is one that has definitely forever changed our lives.  It has left us humbled, grateful, and amazed at the power of prayers.  It all started over five years ago when our pediatrician noticed a small little bump on the back on Benjamin's knee.  No worries, we would just watch it.  Each subsequent year at check-ups we made note of it, watching it slowly grow.  It appeared to simply be a ganglion cyst.  No worries.

At this year's check-up the pediatrician figured that it might be time to have it checked out by a specialist, just an orthopedic doctor.  No worries.  We'll just get that ganglion cyst taken care of so that cosmetically Benjamin's knee won't have this mass sticking out.

We visited the ortho doc in October  They x-rayed, they tried to aspirate, they decided to have a closer look with an MRI.  No worries, but things didn't seem to be sitting quite right this time. 

The ortho doc decided that we needed to have a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon look at it.  Hmmm, really?  So off we went to another doc.  He said it's definitely not a cyst, even mentioned the terrible "c" word.  BIG worries now.  I called Chris scared, trying not to express my fear in front on Benjamin.

We were sent off for an ultrasound and then a follow up to discuss the results.  This time Chris came with us.  Worries.  Fear.  Lots of unknown.  The doc gave us grave news.  It's one of three kinds of tumors, but the doc felt strongly that it's one that is definitely cancerous.  Hearts broken.  Feeling very afraid, very worried.  Surgery is scheduled for removal.

A day later we got a phone call from the doc.  After consulting with others, he felt it best to send us on to a pediatric orthopedic oncologist in STL.  An oncologist?  The tumor is on a major nerve, could be encasing it, could lead to other losses.  Feeling very afraid.  Sick to my stomach.  Aching with grief.

But in the midst of this all, I thought of our Memorial Box.  I thought of the many, many times God had been faithful to us, providing for us in ways we never imagined, caring for us in big and small ways, always, always wanting the best for us.  We shared our fears with family and friends and were so very overwhelmed with the expressions of love, concern, support, offers of help.  More than anything we knew that many were praying, begging God on our behalf for complete healing for Benjamin.  Our specific prayer was that the tumor be completely removed as a whole, that no damage be done to the sciatic nerve that it was sitting on, and that the tumor would turn out to be benign.  Prayers being raised, worries turning to peace, fears laid at His feet.

We met with the oncologist, scheduled surgery and continued praying.  The day of surgery arrived.  We were being uplifted by so many that we didn't even know.  Benjamin was on prayer chains literally around the world.  We are still awed by the outpouring of love!

Surgery was not the expected two hours.  Prayers answered!

Tumor was completely removed, as a whole.  Prayers answered!

Tumor was not encasing the nerve, it peeled right off of the nerve.  Prayers answered!

Benjamin recovered quickly and we were on our way home that same morning.  Prayers answered!

We celebrated that incredible day, feeling very confident that regardless of the tumor being cancerous or not, it was gone.  Follow-up would be minimal.  That bad boy was out and on it's way to the pathologist and we were on our way home.  Worries greatly relieved.  Fears subsided.  I think I cried more after the surgery than in the intense weeks before.  The emotional relief was incredible.  

Last Friday we went for the first surgical follow-up, and to received the awaited news from the pathology report.   The first thing the doctor told us was that he still didn't have a final report.  Huh?  A little bit of worry creeping in.  He checked and the local pathologist had sent it on to a world-renown pathologist who had even written THE text book on tumors.  Um, scary.  He called to try to get us some news before leaving STL.  He returned with a big smile on his face saying, "Good news!"  The tumor was definitely benign, but the pathologists were splitting hairs over exactly which of two names to give it.  Blah....noma or blah....noma.  We don't care, it's BENIGN...NOMA!!!!!

PRAYERS ANSWERED!!!

(Benjamin, so glad to have the brace off!)

Thank you Lord, thank you Lord, thank you Lord.  You heard our cries, you graciously answered our requests.  Our son is healed.  No worries.  No fear.  Abba Father is on our side and we give Him all the glory for answering the prayers of so many.  May He be greatly praised!

We placed Benjamin's ID band from surgery day in our Memorial Box as yet another standing stone representing His hand in our lives.  God is good.  Praise Him!

For Benjamin, we have great hopes.  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)  His hand in Benjamin's life.....can't wait to see those plans of His!