January 2, 2012 in Uncategorized with 33 Comments

I wish there were some way I could avoid sending this update, but we really need prayer and we have held off as long as possible to get past the holidays and celebrations.  As you may know, Gray finished his cancer treatment on Dec. 5^th and we were so excited to start making plans for 2012!  As part of his treatment completion, Gray underwent a battery of tests to confirm that he was in remission.  We got the results of his bone marrow biopsy first and were ecstatic to hear that everything was normal!  We then waited for Gray’s CT scan, bone scan and MIBG scan results believing that, at this point, the rest of the scan results were  just formality because cancer usually shows up in the marrow first.  Unfortunately, though, on December 22^nd, Gray’s oncologist called with the scan results and the news was difficult.  The site of Gray’s original tumor, in his abdomen, had a spot that had grown and had also “lit up” from the dye they injected during the scan.  These two results caused concern in Gray’s doctor and so they immediately scheduled Gray for surgery on December 29^th. We received the date for Gray’s surgery just before Christmas and so we did our best to enjoy our holiday and stay strong for our boys, but I think it goes without saying that what was to come was definitely present in our minds throughout the week. It was an emotional time for us.  At this time, we have elected to shield Seth from the possibility that Gray’s cancer has returned until we have absolute results, however, Seth DOES know Gray had surgery as part of his treatment.

There are a few different scenarios the doctors are looking at. They’ve told us this could be the return of Gray’s Neuroblastoma, although they have done their best to reassure us by letting us know that this would be extremely rare. It could also be a ganglioneroma, which is a tumor that is usually benign but can spread and become cancerous over time. Or, this could simply be remnants of calcified tumor which bares no cause for alarm.  Gray came through his surgery like a trooper, however they had to go in deep and his recovery has been difficult.  We thought we were just going to be admitted for one night but as of yet we have not been able to go home. We have been in the hospital for five days and counting.  Gray has recently spiked a fever, as high as 104, and the doctors are having a hard time locating the source of the fever.  He has been poked close to 20 times in the past couple of weeks and because he had his port taken out due to infection all meds most go through IV’s.  He has also developed blisters in his mouth and the doctor’s think he may have a virus.  They started Gray on 2 different precautionary antibiotics today and now we just continue to wait, praying his fever goes away.  We are also waiting on the biopsy results from last week’s surgery, which may not come in until Thursday because of the holidays.  I know God’s hand is on Gray and our entire family, but this continues to be a difficult time for us.  Just before Gray had his tests, in December, we were given the news that Doug’s mom’s breast cancer has come back and metastasized to her liver.  She will be starting oral chemo soon.  Our family needs prayer for strength and peace.  Our belief is that God is in complete control, however weariness can be a great adversary!  We love you and appreciate beyond words your prayers and support!

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher then the earth, so are my ways higher then your ways and my thoughts then your thoughts. As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It WILL NOT return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:8-11