First, Seth’s story: Seth was diagnosed with end
stage Neuroblastoma at 7 months of age. He HAD six tumors; one was
surgically removed and the five others were shrunk with chemotherapy, but
not before causing him to lose his vision. Seth has undergone 7 months
of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant in Seattle, 31/2 weeks of radiation,
and is currently on acutane therapy. The last test indicated that
cancer is still present in his bone marrow.
We thought a brief history was important, not to
depress you, but to provide a cause for greater elation and excitement
when we share with you some of the ways God has been working in our lives
through your prayers.
Our 1st miracle: The tumor in Seth’s abdomen had
surrounded his left kidney and was rapped around his aorta. Doctor’s
thought it unlikely to remove such a large tumor in one piece due to the
invasive nature of his cancer. They prepared us to have the kidney
removed with the tumor. Praise God, the whole tumor was removed and
slid off his aorta and kidney. Seth still has both kidneys today.
Miracle for Mom: It was hot last summer in July/August
and anything that was not watered got scorched. It was early morning
and already it was warm. Seth lost his vision the night before and
we were preparing to go to Spokane for emergency radiation to try to shrink
the tumor in his head, hoping that he would regain his vision. I
had just gotten home from the hospital with Seth after living there and
caring for him for a month. I walked outside and remember thinking,
“O.K. God, cancer is bad enough, but his vision really angers me.
And to top it all off my flowers are dying. You know God, people
keep telling me not to be angry with You, but I think I may be getting
to that point.” At that very instant it started to sprinkle.
I thought, “Oh, don’t do this to me I’m trying to be mad.” Then it started
to rain. God had given me that gentle touch to humble me. He
let me know that He had His hand on me, and was carrying me through this.
He watered my flowers.
Our 2nd miracle: One week before we were to leave
for Seattle for Seth’s transplant, his spleen had shown black spots all
the way through it. The Doctor told us that we needed to come in
for a biopsy the next day and that if it was a fungal infection Seth would
have to undergo another surgery to have it removed. Previously that
week two other medical problems had arisen. We went home desperate.
We called several people to pray for him, and then the four of us held
a little prayer service of our own at home. The next day we went
in for the biopsy, but didn’t have to go through with it because when they
were looking for the black spots with the ultrasound there were none to
be found.
Our 3rd miracle: After the transplant in Seattle,
Seth developed a serious viral pneumonia. He had no immune system
to fight it off. Doctor’s told us he needed a lung biopsy.
His lungs were so full of infection they said that if he came out of surgery
on a ventilator he might never come off. And if he did pull through
(which was unlikely) his hospital stay would be extended 5 weeks.
And again God had his hands on us, Seth came out of surgery without a ventilator,
and we were discharged from the hospital within two weeks.
We would like to close by again saying thank you
for all your prayers. The power of prayer is awesome, we have witnessed
it again and again. Thank you for opening your hearts and taking
the time to think of us during this difficult time. Seth can be cured;
we’re praying and waiting for our final miracle. God bless all of
you. Praise God.