MRI Results

​Noah had his 5th MRI this morning around 10am and after he woke up we went straight to clinic to meet with his oncologist. The past 2 MRIs have shown a questionable spot on the outside edge of the cavity that remains in his brain. That spot hadn't changed as of late June, but the "spot" has grown to about 1 centimeter in 3 months and is being treated as new tumor growth. Chemotherapy has been cancelled and we now have a surgery scheduled for next Wednesday, October 13th.  We will meet with Noah's neurosurgeon on Monday and remain in Birmingham for another MRI on Tuesday, then surgery Wednesday morning. We are unsure of the surgery time right now, and will have more details about the surgery after our meeting on Monday.  What I do know is there is more tumor despite the chemotherapy treatments, and that scares me. I knew in the beginning that this was a very aggressive tumor and there was a possibility that it could return, I just didn't expect that to happen. Noah's neuro-oncologist is still searching for other treatment options - maybe radiation, since he is approaching his 3rd birthday and it is considered "safer" after age 3; maybe an experimental treatment or a different type of chemotherapy - we will discuss all that after this second surgery. 
In the meantime John, Noah, and I are quickly planning a last-minute mini vacation to spend some quality time together before next week. We are unsure how long we will need to stay at the hospital following surgery. I'm praying that one night will be sufficient, but preparing for several nights. Of course this news is devastating to our family, but we also knew there was a possibility this could happen. We will continue to stand in faith, pray, and ask everyone to pray with us for Noah's healing and most importantly God's will. This is just another bump in the road and we will get through it, hopefully revealing even more of God's glory. There will be a time of prayer and laying on of hands at our church (www.friendshipumc.org) tonight during the 6:15pm believers service.  We believe in the passage "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit" (James 5:15-18). Please join us in prayer wherever you are. 
We will keep updating as we have more news, especially on Monday evening once we have a surgery time and more information about the procedure. Thank you for continuing to support us and lift up our little boy. 

James 1:2-8  - My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
2 Corinthians 1:20 - For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 

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