I have had a button for a long time that says, ”Praying for Joel.” It has blessed my heart immensely when I have come across his picture on someone else’s blog. It can feel like a lonely journey when your child is going through brain cancer. Joel has finished cancer treatment and it does not feel right to have his bald little head and sweet smile there anymore. It is hard to believe but there is part of me that will miss his bald head. Oh, I do not miss cancer, or cancer treatment at all but that sweet little head was MY little boys head and I loved it hair or no hair.
I have been afraid to remove the button because I don’t want people to stop praying for him. He has come along way but he still struggles in so many areas. Monday was a bad day for him. I told myself, he is just tired. He struggled with his speech more than normally, and he stumbled a lot. As we left speech therapy he had a big smile on his face and was ready to grab a snack. He stumbled and fell, he missed the back bumper of the van by a feather, but ended up ripping a hole in his jeans and skinning his knee very badly. Poor little guy was so happy one minute and had dissolved into tears the next.
I was right the next morning he was all smiles his speech came a little easier and he was better on his feet (fewer wipe outs). He was just tired on Monday, but the speech issues and stumbling are also signs of a tumor. I knew he was tired, my gut said, “He’s tired.” Yet there was still the smallest nagging feeling that said, ”What if…?” We pray that we will never go there. We have been told that the chances of recurrence are low but if Joel were to have a recurrence there is very little that can be done. I want people to keep praying for Joel that the cancer would never come back.
He is learning to run again and when he picks up speed he usually wipes out. He can not climb trees yet, like he use to, but he is climbing stairs. He will need surgery on his one eye. He has cognitive issues. He is learning to write with his left hand as he still does not have complete control over the right hand. His speech is still a huge issue, he has to search for words and sometimes it can be very exhausting for him and the person listening. I don’t want people to stop praying for healing in his brain, in his eye, for his balance to return, for his gait to improve, for his speech to become fluid, and his right arm to strengthen and control to return.
We have been warned about all kinds of side effects. ”Joel is at risk for heart disease, lung disease, kidney issues, he most likely will not be able to have children. He most likely will not be as tall as his peers, have as high an IQ as his peers. He will be at risk for other cancers…” The list goes on and on. The list is so long because his whole brain, as well as, his spine were radiated, many of his internal organs were hit with exit rays. The brain controls growth hormones and cognitive processing etc. all things that can be effected. And we have not even talked about the side effects of chemo. I don’t want people to stop praying for Joel, that he would be free from the long list of potential side effects. I want him to grow up and be able to get a job, get married, and be a Daddy.
I know those things are far off but I still pray for them. So while I felt it was time to move forward, I am still asking you to pray for Joel.
Could you keep praying for Joel?
I have had a hard time getting a decent picture of Joel if you ask him to smile this is what you get,
I told him he looks like he is in pain. I have to snap pictures of him at just the right moment when he is genuinely happy. I made two Keep Praying for Joel buttons and was hoping you would all be willing to tell me which one you like best. I would be so touched if you added a button to your blog. With out any further adieu…
You can see them in the right margin and whichever one I decide to go with if you pick the other one and put it on your blog it will still work. Thanks everyone!
Pin It
Option 2…and I don't know where to begin, I am new to your blog as you invited me to join you for Field Trip Fridays…but I am moved and I will remember him and pray for him!
Andi, thank you so much it means so much to me to know people are still praying for him.
Option 2, it seems to signify victory in the way he is presenting himself.
He does doesn't he!
No worries, I continue to pray for Joel, and for your family.
I love both pictures but #2 is the one I would choose.
Keep the Faith my friend, and give Joel a hug from Mr Steve.
<
Thanks Mr. Steve
I've hugged him for you.
My vote is option one! And Cheryl, I speak only for me but YES I will commit to keep praying for Joel, you and your family. YOu all have been thru so much and I am sure the enemy would like nothing more to steal your joy of his healing with a little fear factor creeping into a Momma. I ask the Lord's continued hand upon him and that Joel will continue to improve and grow up to be the handsome man that he is as a child with hair or no hair. (smile)
Can't wait for your button. Marlece
Thank you Marlece your friendship through this time has meant a lot to me I feel blessed!
Hi Cheryl!
Oh how we love the option two picture … Joel looks so strong and confident! He is such a handsome young man. We are praying for your entire family since we know first hand the "walking by faith" journey your family is on … we too are on that path with our little man, Gabriel.
Thank you so much for the honesty you share … it's not always that easy to be so frank about our children's journeys. Keep up the great work since our Lord is being glorified through your family … this is why we were created after all!
With love & prayers.
Carolyn, I know more than anyone you understand and I continue to keep your little man in my prayers too! I look forward to the day we meet!
Praying for Joel! Lord, please honor the prayers of this mother's heart. She is crying out to You and You hear her! Thank You, Lord for doing more than we can ever think or imagine!
Sarita, Thank you so much for your prayers.
Both pictures are great. How to choose. I don't know. Options one is the one I'm most drawn to. I'll keep praying. Love to you all. cynthia
I find it hard to choose too and I thought by putting it out to others I'd have a clear winner but now I am even more confused about which one I like best. I'll have to think on it some more! Thanks for your prayers.
I like the second one best..will be putting that one up on my blog..Seems more victorious!
Thanks Savannah! Dave thought the same thing.
Oh and Savannah I have no idea how you did that trackback thingie very cool.
Option 1…for sure! I want a button…my prayer list gets longer all the time. I never want to forget everyone I met this past year and what they have all meant to me. Not a day goes by that I don't think the "What if.." for Cole several times a day…and how we almost lost him. But I believe in God's grace because in the final hour, He stepped in and things happened to save his life. I am in awe of that moment and the 12 hour surgery followed when I felt that He was there with me and I knew…I just knew…Cole was going to be OK. I can't explain what it was…a feeling of warmth, glow, trust that it was finally….finally getting taken care of after 5 months of worrying and 9 doctors later…finally someone listened!! Cole still doesn't walk properly and he has hearing aids..he will need glasses as the chemo seems to have permanently dilated his eyes. There is no doubt that Joel has more challenges to overcome. All we can do is pray and feel blessed that these kids are here still with us. This whole ordeal has made us stronger and more appreciative of what we have and not to sweat the small stuff. I have no answers for you but what I know for sure…when I kiss Cole at night when he goes to bed, I thank God hundreds of times that he is here, I can hold him, kiss him, play with him and I have been blessed with his presence…how lucky I am. How so very lucky I am that he is still with me….thank you God.
Oh Lisa do I hear you! I pray for all those little cancer kiddos. We keep Cole in our prayers too. It is rather surreal to think about what we have walked through and here we stand on the other side. I find sometimes it is just like yesterday that we were in that waiting room wondering if he would live and other times when we are playing a board game where for a few moments it feels like it was a lifetime ago. Strange huh? Thanks for all your prayers.
I will keep praying for Joel and I will put a button on my blog. I understand those feeling, we have the same feelings with my husband and his transplant. A transplant isn't a cure and comes with many side effects including many of the same ones you listed for Joel.
It also won't last forever. I keep reminding myself to enjoy each day and not let my days be robbed by worry about the future. It is hard to not listen to that nagging feeling in the back of your head.
Thanks Julie, It is so important to live for now isn't it. Not worrying about what was or will be. I am praying for your husband too. As Lisa said our prayer lists get longer and longer.
I think option one probably shows his personality more.
Thanks RaD I do think you get a little glimpse of who he is in that picture too!
I love the picture in Option One. He is such a handsome boy. I believe that the most important thing for your child's 100% recovery is to have Faith. Faith can move mountains and it will bless your family with health for all.
So true Laura, there are times where I have left Joel`s complete healing in the palms of God only to realize I have grabbed it back and I need to give it over to God and just trust.
I just found your blog through another lady who wrote about you. I have added your button to my prayer list on:
http://www.garlicmom.blogspot.com
I have a great article there that deals with cancer. Please take a look. My brother is going through Chemo right now and I feel for you. May God give you many more years together!
Thank you so much Jennifer. I will go and take a look at the article!
I pray for him! And my daughter ( 11) also.
Jedidja Thank you for your prayers it means so much to me to know there are people praying for him.
Cheryl, I'm so touched of your story! You are such a strong mom! I hope and pray that Joel will recover and will be free of risks due to the disease and chemo. I pray that God gives you more strength in handling the situation. Both photos are great but I love the first one more. I am adding your prayer button to my blog. God bless you.
By the way, I'm awarding you a Versatile Blogger Award. Congratulations!
My recent post Versatile Blogger Award
Katya Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers. thank you also for the award!
I'm drawn to #2… he looks so strong and healthy and it reminds me of how much our prayers have already availed!
My recent post ~2011 Pantry~
Thanks Quinn, he has come along way hasn't he. Sometimes it feels like he is moving forward at a snails pace but he is moving steadily forward. Thanks for all your prayers and friendship.
I don't know you 'well' yet, but I will pray for this dear, delightful boy. I'll go with photo 1, but I'll leave the putting-the-photo-on-mt-blog until daughter C comes to do it for me.
Er…. not that I don't know *how* or anything. Ahem….
Blessings
Thank you Anne I am blessed to have all these prayers for my little guy!
I will pray for Joel too. I have seen many miraculous healings in the last couple of years. So, keep trusting God that he is healed and it WILL NOT come back, ever! Blessings to you and your loved ones. xoxo, Jewelsy
My recent post The Fruit of the Spirit and the "Girly Girl"!
Will pray for your boy!
Every weekend i used to go to see this web page, because i wish for enjoyment, as this this site conations genuinely nice funny
material too.
Coloin Cancer recently posted..Coloin Cancer
Coloin Cancer recently posted..Coloin Cancer