We have made the difficult decision to go ahead with the chemo option followed by surgery. After A LOT of discussion and praying, we feel peace about it. We feel like we are using both methods conservatively, yet to their best potential. By doing chemo we will hopefully be able to shrink the tumor, therefore improving the chance for successful surgery. A few people have asked us, why not surgery first, then chemo. Brady's tumor involves his spinal cord, so doing surgery first would be very invasive and potentially dangerous. The goal for using chemo first is to reduce the tumor size, making it more easily removed via surgery later. Another big factor in our choice was the thought that chemo works on the whole body with the goal of killing cancer wherever it may be hiding. Surgery is localized...what if something is missed.
Chemo will start tonight after dinner. This has been the hardest decision of our lives. There is no crystal ball here, no sure thing. We made the most informed decision that we could given the information that we were given. This is where our faith comes in. Despite the circumstances we face, despite our fear, despite everything...God is holding us all in the palm of His hand. We have heard from so many people since having the triplets "God will never give you more than you can handle." It is a nice thought, but I truly think that this situation is more than WE can handle. I hope that our family is daily living proof, that in our darkest hours, we can trust God alone to get us through. It is never more than HE can handle!
Megan & Matt---be at peace with your decision and go forward knowing that you have done the right thing for your son. When we had to select Griffin's treatment plan, we opted for a more aggressive approach than his stage of diagnosis for similar hopes---to avoid a possible relapse down the road. It is a scary thought that you are putting a poisonous cocktail into his body---but it may be the neccessary evil to destroy the monster lurking in his body.
ReplyDeleteTry not to fear the "possible" side-effects and know that MANY childhood cancer survivors are well beyond their treatment with NO long-term side effects (FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE!) and if those side-effects come along...he will be well monitored by his medical team, so it will be caught early and you will deal with that as it comes.
Call me when you have a moment. I'd like to share some advice re: his broviac (Griffin had his for 2 1/2 years---so we've got lots of experience with little ones and the "tubie"...I can also share some ways that our family coped with work situations, care plans, extended hospital stays and (short-term) chemo side-effects.
In my thoughts and prayers always!
Ellen Della Penna
Megan and Matt,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your updates. I will stand stead fast as a Prayer Warrior for Brady and his entire family.
Peace of Christ,
Deb Reding
Megan and Matt,
ReplyDeleteTrust that you have made the right decision. You are right, God IS holding your family in the palm of his hand. I will be praying for you and reading updates regularly.
Love,
Becky Martin
guys,
ReplyDeleteLive what you always say,"god give us enough strength JUST for today and hope for tomorrow." now w/chemo starting ask for help for the moment. Let your mind soak up any praise/worship music you have and let it pour into Brady, and when doubt comes in let us carry you, its okay. we can hold you up and fight this with you. what a special mommy and daddy Brady has. love you
Megan and Matt,
ReplyDeleteIt's time to forge ahead and get Brady better. Trust that you have made the right decision. You have a mommy/daddy gut feeling that instinctively helps you make decisions, so trust in that. Tomorrow, Brady will be 1 day closer to being a happy, healthy little boy again!
I am keeping Brady and all of you in my prayers, this is going to be a very long and rough road for you and I pray for strength and peace.
ReplyDeleteGod bless the children
Continuing to pray for all
ReplyDeleteof you.
Leslie Owen
I know that was the hardest decision to make but I think you did the right thing. My husband and I pray with our triplets every night for Brady. I wanted to give you this Scripture I found the other day, it made me think of you guys. Deuteronomy 20:3-4: Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.
ReplyDeleteContinually praying for good reports!
Allison
Matt and Megan,
ReplyDeleteThe decision that you have made is the best for Brady. God is with you and IS holding you in his hand.
Dear Jesus please continue to give this family the strength to handle this hard ordeal they have encountered. Continue to help Brady, especially through the treatments he will be receiving. Thank you for all that you have done this far. Thank you for all of the friends and family support the Williams' have received. In your name we pray Amen.
God Bless,
Kim Willams & family
Nothing to add here but to echo everyone's words, Megan. Keep trusting that you are being held in the palm of God's hand and that HE can when it seems as though you can't. My continued prayers for little Brady and for your family.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Mary