Hard News

We met with Owen’s radiation oncologist today to discuss whether or not more radiation on his brain is an option. This new larger growing tumour is on the border of where they last radiated, so it is possible to hit this with a couple weeks of radiation if we want to go that route. However, we were warned of the risks of doing radiation a second time and basically told that it wouldn’t be worth it due to the behaviour of his disease and how agressive it is. Because Owen’s cancer is diffuse high grade glioma, meaning it’s everywhere in his brain, it’s only a matter of time before the next spot pops up and turns into a growing tumour. Doing more radiation will most likely not extend his life expectancy at this point according to the health care professionals.

We have to make some hard decisions. We cannot do anything right now as more radiation means living in Vancouver again for 2-3 weeks. That just won’t work for our family right now as we are due with baby five anytime now; We need to get through that and settle in a bit as a family of seven once this baby comes, Lord willing. More radiation means a higher risk of side effects, possibly dangerous effects, brain damage, etc. The doctors want to focus on Owen’s quality of life right now.

For now we are going to wait until Owen’s next MRI to see where things are at and how his cancer is behaving. We have been keeping an eye on some other spots and it makes sense to see if those continue to grow in this next little while. If they do, then a second round of radiation treatments does not make sense as we cannot retreat all the areas.

I won’t sugar coat it. This is a hard road to walk as a parent; And right now after all this recent news, the pain of everything feels extra sharp and heavy. Owen doesn’t know the extent of his disease. We don’t know when we will tell him more. We are trusting God for the right time if it comes to that. He is only 6, and right now we are helping him to enjoy being a young 6 year old boy as much as possible.

It’s days like today when I just long for heaven. I long for no more suffering, no more heartache, no more sorrow, no more pain, no more tears. God never said that life would be easy. In fact He said we would endure trials and pain and hardship. We are fully dependent on God for all things. We are fully dependent on Him for healing. We are fully dependent on Him for strength. We need His grace and mercy. We need wisdom from Him as we make decisions. We need the ability to keep fully trusting our great and sovereign God as we face what may lie ahead for Owen and for our family. Please pray that we will continue to trust God completely no matter what comes our way on this journey. And please pray for God’s healing intervention for Owen.

Don’t Stop Praying by Matthew West

What's your impossible? Your "I need a miracle"

What's got you barely hanging by a single thread?

What looks so hopeless now? What weighs down your heart with doubt?

You beg for a breakthrough, but no sign of breakthrough yet.

When you've cried, and you've cried 'til your tears run dry.

The answer won't come, and you don't know why

And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time.

Don't stop praying.

Don't stop calling on Jesus' name.

Keep on pounding on Heaven's door

And let your knees wear out the floor.

Don't stop believing,

'Cause mountains move with just a little faith

And your Father's heard every single word you're saying.

So, don't stop praying.

He's close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

The Alpha and Omega knows how your story ends.

When you've cried, and you've cried 'til your tears run dry.

The answer won't come, and you don't know why

And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time.

Oh, do it one more time.

And don't stop praying.

Don't stop calling on Jesus' name.

Keep on pounding on Heaven's door

And let your knees wear out the floor.

Don't stop believing.

'Cause mountains move with just a little faith

And your Father's heard every single word you're saying.

So, don't stop praying.

Don't stop praying for the prodigal,

Don't stop praying for the miracle,

Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen.

Don't stop praying that addictions end,

Don't stop praying for deliverance,

Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen.

Oh, don't stop praying for the sickness healed,

Don't stop praying for His power revealed,

Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen.

No, don't stop praying for the Kingdom come,

Don't stop praying that His will be done,

Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen.

Don't stop praying.

Don't stop calling on Jesus' name.

Keep on pounding on Heaven's door

Let your knees wear out the floor.

Don't stop believing.

'Cause mountains move with just a little faith

And your Father's heard every single word you're saying.

So, don't stop praying.