PRAYER REQUEST UPDATE #8

The lump on my son's neck is beginning to shrink, and it is also less sensitive to the touch now. His fever is greatly reduced and he seems to be on the mend. All of this without hospitalization or antibiotics! We're hoping we can manage his condition without surgery for several more years. Surgical intervention will be less risky later.

I didn't mean for this to become a major subject of this blog, but as so many have expressed concern and faithfully prayed, I've concluded it's important to give occasional updates. Perhaps someone out there will be struggling through something similar and find solace in these reports.

Thanks everyone for your prayers, we are most grateful.

PRAYER REQUEST UPDATE #7

Here's an update for those who have been following the progress of my son's medical condition:

On Friday he took a fever and the lump in his neck swelled very quickly over the weekend. It is now sensitive and enlarged. It is not as protrusive as it was back in December, but it is no longer a harmless pea-sized lump.

My wife is very good with natural remedies. She has put him on her best infection-fighting regimen. I've seen this work to fight off smaller infections before, but never anything this severe.

We're praying, and considering having the surgery to remove the lump. However, we approach this with a great deal of caution. We're not too excited about the idea of putting him under general anasthesia, which would be required, and we're obviously not thrilled about the idea of cutting into his neck. Both are high risk procedures, no matter how routine the doctors make them sound. If the surgery truly has to be done, we will trust God and proceed with caution. If it can still be avoided without risk, we will trust God and proceed with caution. Either way, we need His wisdom desperately.

Oh, the heart-wrenching decisions a parent has to make! We're torn betwixt the two, wishing the Lord would make this easy for us by simply taking away the problem. We're attracted to the convenience of that solution, and it may indeed happen, but in the meantime there is the trial of having to choose.

These types of situations remind us that we are not in control, that we are dependent beings, that we are living in an uncertain world, and that God is sovereign over all. Fears can arise in an instant, nearly toppling us over - but sooner or later we find His hand nearby, and His grace sufficient. We find the God of all comfort doing His great work. Revealing His great mercy. Breaking into our terrifying world and pushing back the fright. Loving us and reassuring our hearts. We wish for the easy path through these times of struggle, but we could never experience the power of grace if we lived forever in the Garden of Eden. And so we pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done."

PRAYER REQUEST UPDATE #6

My son was supposed to have surgery tomorrow, but with the lump decreasing in size we have decided to wait. The doctors will want to proceed, but we are trusting God and praying for healing. It seems wise at this point, especially since the condition is not life threatening (and surgery could be). If the cyst remains and becomes infected again, we will take that as a sign that surgery is needed. But if it disappears, we will know Who is responsible. Either way, we are at peace.

PRAYER REQUEST UPDATE #5

We took my son for a visit with the doctor yesterday. My son still has a good size lump on his neck, which the doctor believes is a "branchial cleft cyst." We're going to schedule him for surgery to have it removed sometime in January. The link below gives details about the condition and pictures of the required surgical procedure. Don't look if you're squeamish.

http://www.ghorayeb.com/BranchialCleft.html

The doctor assures us that this is a fairly standard procedure. However, he warned us that sometimes these cysts can reach deep into the neck and even affect the tonsils. The tonsils sometimes have to be removed along with the cyst. And of course he mentioned that several vital structures are in the neck area, which can present some complications.

Thanks everyone for your prayers. I'm definitely praying for the doctor's mind, heart, and hands - along with my son's neck.

PRAYER REQUEST UPDATE #4

My son was released from the hospital last night! The lump on his neck has considerably reduced in size. He is energetic and full of life.

When we got home, we sat down in front of the computer and looked at the analytics for THEOparadox, marvelling at how many people might have been praying. My son was amazed to see all the little dots on the map which likely represent caring people who were showing God's love to him during his time of need.

While we still do not know exactly why there is a lump in his neck, the doctors are hopeful that surgery - if needed - will be much easier with a smaller lump. The doctors would like to see him in about a week for another evaluation.

Throughout this time, we have seen God's hand at work. He has united our family in new ways, given us great favor with the doctors and hospital staff, and caused us to sense the peace of Christ reigning in the midst of our chaos. God worked through my son's Pediatrician to get us into the best children's hospital in North Florida. And he worked through many of you to show us His great kindness - thank you!

Grace & peace,
Derek

PRAYER REQUEST UPDATE #3

So much for "normal" blogging . . .

We have spoken with our son's attending physician this afternoon, and it sounds like surgery is still a possibility for tomorrow . . . but nothing's definite at this point. The doctors are feeling a bit exasperated by the fact that they cannot make a firm diagnosis. They're trying to determine whether it is more risky to do surgery now or to wait. So, your continued prayers are appreciated. We especially need wisdom for whatever decisions we will have to make tomorrow.

The medical scenarios seem to change too easily, but we are resting in the firm hands of the living God.

Some may trust in horses, some in chariots, some in doctors and nurses . . . but we will trust in the NAME OF OUR GOD.

Perhaps this would be a good time to talk about the paradoxes of divine healing, of the excesses and imbalances and heresies in some modern theologies, of God's direct intervention in some cases, of His use of medicine and doctors, of His use and allowance of suffering in the lives of His chosen ones, in the lives of their children, in the life of His Own Dear Son, etc. But in the end, it would all come back to this: we pray, we trust God, and we hold fast to His sovereign grace. We thank Him for every day of life, and that even in our worst sickness - even in death - we never get what we deserve. We get GRACE! And our hearts are ultimately filled with joy no matter what happens. My son and I have been having some great discussions about the incarnation, Jesus' sufferings for us, and the triumph of resurrection. 4 year olds are so smart about these things - I'm learning a lot!

Interestingly enough, we read the account of Hezekiah's illness and recovery in our family devotions last week. That ancient Hebrew king set a great example for us.

PRAYER REQUEST UPDATE #2

The doctors have asked to keep my son under observation and IV antibiotics for one more day, and plan to send him home tomorrow. His swelling is markedly decreased. The doctors would like to see him back in about one week for a surgery consultation.

As for a diagnosis, the most likely culprit is a cyst that may have been present at birth and has now become infected. The doctor would like to surgically remove the cyst in the near future, after the swelling has gone down. Please pray that God will give us and the doctors wisdom in how to proceed. We are praying for divine healing in the meantime.

My wife and I thank you for your prayers. The situation could have been much worse, but all seems to be progressing at a stable course for now. We still don't have a "for sure" diagnosis (is such a thing possible?), but at least the condition is at a manageable level. I'll resume "normal" blogging now, and post updates on my son if there are any significant developments.

Blessings,
Derek

PRAYER REQUEST UPDATE

My son has been under observation and receiving various diagnostics as the doctors try to discover the exact nature of his condition. He's been quite a little trooper and not even afraid of the needles. I am sure he will be quite a man someday! And, prayerfully, a fearless man of GOD.

For today at least, the doctors have chosen not to do surgery. The lump on his neck is getting slightly smaller, so there is evidence of prayer and antibiotics and rest doing their work. I've now been at the hospital for 22 hours. I'll stay here with him again tonight while his sister and my lovely wife rest up at home. We all have to be ready for a possible surgical option tomorrow.

In the morning, the doctors will re-evaluate him for surgery. We hope it's not needed, as it would involve cutting into his neck. I'll give another update tomorrow if I can. Since I may have a bit of time on my hands, I might even be able to put up a new Psalm 32 post while I'm here.

Thanks so much for your prayers. I have been encouraging my son with the fact that people from all over the world whom he has never met have been praying for him - simply because they love Jesus like Mommy and Daddy do.

In this photo, you can see the huge wrapping they are using to hold the IV attachment in place. Poor little guy misses his right hand quite a bit.

The doctors have drawn a line around the swollen area. It's gradually getting smaller, all glory to God.

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

My 4 year old son, who is featured in one of the videos in the sidebar, needs your prayers. He had what appeared to be a swollen gland on his neck about two weeks ago. The doctor said it was not serious and he did not need any treatment. A few days later it swelled up like a balloon, and when he developed a 104 degree fever we took him to the Emergency Room. That was Thanksgiving Day.

Now my son has been on strong antibiotics for a week, but his swelling is still very high. Today he saw the doctor and they are recommending immediate consultation for surgery. We will be taking him in to the hospital today, and they will be doing some tests and possibly operating today or tomorrow. We are somewhat in the dark as to the nature of his condition, so it's a bit scary. Please, friends, pray for my son if you are able.

I Sam. 2:2, 4-8 "There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God. . . . The bows of the mighty are shattered, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full hire themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry cease to hunger. Even the barren gives birth to seven, but she who has many children languishes. The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts. He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with nobles, and inherit a seat of honor; for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and He set the world on them."

We are trusting in the Name of the One true sovereign and loving God, through His blessed Son and in the strength of His Spirit.

Thank you for your prayers,
Derek