Update from My Sister

Wow!

The prayers and love that you guys are sending are absolutely amazing. There is no way that we could get through this without your support. Thank you all so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have decided to have Jacob's surgery in Huntington. I am going to call today and schedule it. Jacob's surgery will probably be tomorrow, possibly Thursday. I will let you know.

I explained everything to Jacob last night. He is so scared. I told him he will feel so much better when this over. He looked up at me and shyly asked "will I be able to run like the other kids." I so desperately wanted to say "yes" but the truth is we don't know.

The hugh and scary risks with this surgery are paralysis and loss of bowel/bladder function. If he is not paralysed, the muscle strength in his legs will be weak but he should regain some strength over time. We are also concerned with his growth. Surgery on his spine will stunt his growth some and the doctors have to be careful because he still has several years of rapid growth before him.

His night pain and muscle spams have come back. Now that we know what is causing his pain, it's almost unbearable to hear or see. He has been running around like a wild man and sleeping so soundly for the past few days that we temporarly forgot about the night screams. He reminded us last night and my fear for him is once again. I know that this will all be over soon and that's what I am holding on to. God will take care of him, I know that with all my heart.

I did find some comfort yesterday. While we were researching the internet, we found that it usually takes two years to recognize the symptoms of this type of cancer. I have hated myself and blamed myself for not discovering this sooner. A mother should know when her child is hurting and I just didn't take care of my baby the way I should have. BUT, I am moving forward and doing the best that I know to do now. With God's guidance and love, we are going to get through this.

Just so you know, the name of Jacob's cancer is "intramedullary astrocytoma of the spinal cord". I told you it was a long and hard name to remember.

I have printed off all the emails you have sent. I am making a book for Jacob so he can see just how many people are praying for him to get better.

The bible verses are so comforting and they are bring us peace. I am reading each and every one of them.

I will let you all know when the surgery is scheduled. Thank you so much!!!!!!

My sister informed me this afternoon that the surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, March 19, at 11:00am