Whitney & I spoke just a little while ago. Forester's surgery went well, and he is now in recovery. Praise the Lord that the surgeons were able to remove the entire tumor!!!
In about an hour, Pete & Whitney will see him in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Please pray that this time goes quickly for them but that the Lord uses it to strengthen them and build them up for what lies ahead. As you can imagine, it will be incredibly difficult for them to see Forester with a breathing tube and hooked up to all sorts of machines. He will likely be "out of it" for the rest of today. When he does wake up, however, he will begin to face a life that is vastly different from the one he's known. Whitney specifically requested prayers for Forester's comfort and for peace for him as he begins to understand what his future holds. Pray too that the Lord gives Pete & Whitney wisdom as they explain to their 7 year old child why he must stay in the hospital for a week, what chemotherapy and radiation are and why he must have them, why he cannot go back to school, etc, etc.
Although they will not know definitively until Friday at the earliest, it still appears that Forester has medulloblastoma, the most common form of malignant brain tumors in children. Praise the Lord, though, that he falls into the "average risk" rather than "high risk" category! (The following website provides some basic information about medulloblastoma. http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1286/mainpageS1286P0.html)
Following his hospital stay, Forester will go home to rest and recover for a few weeks before he has a spinal tap and then begins chemotherapy and radiation. The spinal tap will help determine whether he has any abnormal cells in his spinal fluid. Because the MRI indicated no tumors in his spine, it is most likely that his spinal fluid will also be clear. Please pray that this is so. It is at this time that Forester will also receive the port for radiation.
Micah is having a wonderful time with friends and remains unaffected so far. Please pray that the Lord protects both Micah's and Forester's hearts and childhoods.
The Lord has showered this family with His blessings and mercies through prayers and the lovingkindness of so many friends and family members. Pete & Whitney have been surrounded by those who love them (and lots & lots of food) at the hospital today. Thank you all for your outpouring of love and support!!! What a blessing you are! Please keep those prayers coming! (And, if you visit them at the hospital, please make sure Whitney keeps eating for me!)
Love to all of you in Jesus' name!
April
7 years ago
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5 comments:
So glad the surgery went well. We'll keep praying. We want to help! Is there anything concrete we can do from so far away?
I am a friend of Michelle Plett and just wanted to let you know that Forester is and will continue to be in my prayer. Praise God that the surgery went well.
Love,
Kara Henderson
Dear Bradburns,
We are John Fortney's parents and we just want you to know how much we are praying for Forester and all of your family. Lauren has kept us updated and has given us your blog so we can follow Forester progress and know what to pray for exactly. We will be doing just that and are already claiming his healing in Jesus precious name. Right now we are praising for the surgery's success. May God bless all of you with a peace that passeth all understanding.
Blessings,
Al and Joyce Fortney
Whitney - Your entire family remains in my prayers. Strength for you, protection for Micah from having to deal with the seriousness of what Forester is going through, and for healing and a return to health for Forester. I am so glad the surgery went well and the tumor is entirely removed.
Pete and Whitney, I am at a loss for words. Please know that we will be praying consistently for Forester!!! Love in Christ, Laurie Knowles
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