Above: Sarah exactly two yrs ago
Two years ago today was the worst day of our lives, the day when we were given the results from the MRI indicating the presence of a tumor near the spine of our little girl. Its been a remarkable two years, one filled with tons of emotions, God's nearness, great friends and amazing family. Two years ago, I wrote the following entry:
"Some of this news you may already know, and some you may just be hearing of. Jen, Sarah and I just returned from Pediatric Oncology at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. We were referred there immediately after an MRI at Shady Grove Adventist hospital revealed 2 tumors in Sarah. We went to SG earlier this week because Sarah was showing symptoms of digression in her motor skills, like walking and balance. We went right from SGAH to JHU. The doctors at JHU are some of the finest in the world. And despite being in high demand, we sat at length this evening with three doctors who specialize in pediatric oncology and they showed absolutely no sense of hurry, making us feel like we were the only cancer patients in the whole place. We left very grateful to God for the gift of medicine and very grateful for the oncology department at JHU.
It is most likely that our little girl has cancer, a form known as neuroblastoma. This is cancer of the peripheral nervous system. One of the tumors is right next to her spinal cord, which is why she is experiencing the odd side affects she has been experiencing. From the MRI readings they received from SGH, they were not able to detect the second tumor near the liver and at this time are limiting it to the one tumor near the spinal cord. They will do further MRIs to confirm this.
We will be home for the weekend for some much needed family time, and on Monday at 1pm, we will return to Hopkins to begin days of more testing: blood, urine, bone marrow, bone scan, another MRI and CT scans, all designed to learn more about the tumor before surgery can occur. The doctors are trying to get the surgery done by the end of next week. After surgery, we will begin treatment of some sort. The type and length of the treatment will be determined by what they find during surgery.
At this point, we have been told by our doctors to be preparing ourselves for the likelihood of a treatment and recovery process that will take no less than six months.
Please pray that the tumor is not intertwined with the spinal cord. If it is, we will have to have a neurosurgeon do the surgery with oncology surgeons. And please pray for a full healing from her all cancer and ataxia.
Jen and I are so grateful for your friendship and ongoing prayers. We have been carried along by them. We are also being very well cared for by our care group and family, from visits in the hospital to simply being there with us in the down times. We are grieving a lot, but we are aware of God’s grace. He loves our little girl more than we do, and we trust him."
Above: Sarah two yrs later
Thank you to all who have walked with us over the last two years! We wouldn't be where we are today without you all!
7 comments:
She is such a lovely and loving little girl! I continued to be amazed at all the grace God has displayed in each of your lives through this trail.
What a joy it is to know you and call you friends. Sarah is a delight and a gift to all who know her. Thank you for walking with faith, for being real with me, for your love and care for girl and for the example you set for so many. What are the Lowes going to do when you move!?!?
love you,
helen
Wow- hard to believe it was 2 years ago that you sent me an email asking me to read your blog! We have followed your family and learned so much from your strong faith! We LOVED seeing you last year at Disney and meeting your amazing family! Sarah is an amazing girl with an amazing family! We love you guys!
We love and respect you guys so much. (we miss you all too!)
Praying for your girl's full recovery and a successful surgery. Praying God's strenght over you and for His love to be showered upon your family. Thank you for your example of faith. Carlos and I are so blessed to be able to witness you and your family.
Can't believe how grown up she is! And so adorable! Thanks for your example as you have walked through this trial. All I hear are testimonies of how your lives have effected others and the impact you have had because of your steadfast faith in God. We respect you so much!!
so grateful for your example. your lives have displayed what a faithful God we have. thank you for all the glory you give Him and for pointing us all to Him!
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