Monday, August 27, 2012

View from the TOP


Stree hockey with my cousins

Dear friends,
As many of you know this has been one of the most complicated, emotionally taxing, fearful and amazing weeks of my life. One week ago today I wrote a blog about hope and about having faith in our God, but those were just words of a hopeful mother, a mother who wasn’t sure how much longer she would get to hold her child and desperately, secretly begging God at night to keep him. I have read so much bible scripture in the past two weeks it makes my head spin. But one verse has stuck with me and its truth has been revealed to me, through our miracle. The truth inside of me and the truth about our God. Mark 9:14-25 is the story of a father who wants Jesus to heal his son but questions whether He can.

The father instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!"

Hours before emergency bowel obstruction surgery
Six nights ago Christian came home from playing with his cousins complaining of a sore tummy. Within hours it escalated to gut wrenching, hair pulling, ear piercing screaming pain. A whole bunch of projectile vomit later, we were on our way to the children’s hospital. Without actually ying the words we all understood what was at stake. We had been told only days before that Christian’s new tumor was completely inoperable. There was nothing more they could do for him except some salvage chemotherapy to ‘extend’ his life. We had entered a phase of bucket list type activities. We were praying for the best but expecting the worst. So as we drove to the hospital we fought our silent fears about what could be causing his pain – knowing very well it could be the mass growing. After one long night in the ER and we were being told his tumor had grown at an inexplicable speed and was now completely obstructing his bowels. Nothing could get past his stomach, no food, drink and most importantly – no chemotherapy. There would be no shrinking this tumor. His cancer was coming after him again and there was nothing we could do about it but pray.
Visit to Calgary Zoo courtesy of Starlight Foundation
Our amazing surgeon, Dr. Mary Brindle was quickly brought to the table to discuss options about relieving his intense pain. We knew the tumor was inoperable but she had a way to bypass it so that food and medication could get from his stomach to where it needed to go. It was not a matter we took lightly as he had already been cut open twice during this valiant battle. He had already endured weeks in the ICU, days intubated, weeks in pain, weeks suffering from withdrawal. Chris and I held tightly to each other and asked the question no parents wants to ever consider; is it time to let him go? Had he fought enough? Would we be doing him any favors by putting him through this surgery knowing full well that the tumor was growing so fast by the time he recovered from surgery it could be already blocking something else. But Chris looked at me and said, “I think we need to give Mary a chance to fix this”. The surgeon was going to be leaving the next morning so surgery had to happen immediately. We decided we could not leave him to suffer in that kind of pain until he passed away so we went ahead with the surgery and four hours later he was again on a operating room table in the surgical suite. He was once again a nighttime customer for the ACH surgeons and once again the life of our little warrior was in the hands of a surgeon.
Time spent at the mountains with nanny

In the hours leading up to the surgery we held tight to each other, we cried a lot and questioned our journey. We begged God for a miracle. As we walked the halls of the oncology ward our tears flowed so freely, our grief had already begun to set it. Are we really ready to lose him and let him go? How could this all be happening so quickly. We didn’t even have a chance to try anything to save him. The nurses felt so horrible for us and cast down their eyes so they wouldn’t have to feel and see our heartache. Knowing glances from other oncology parents who have seen the uncontrollable fear and hurt in each other’s eyes. I could sense the compassion and pity from everybody around me, but all I could feel was despair. As Chris placed Christian in the arms of our surgical nurse and they walked away I will never forget the look in Christians eyes as he put his head on her shoulder and watched me. Like he was so unsure about where he was going and what he was doing. At the same time I could see the resignation in his face and thought surely this was not how he would feel if he were to go to heaven. Surely he would wave at me and skip away excitedly and tell me to hurry along so I didn’t miss him too much. I hugged our surgeon and told her to fight for Christian. She cried tears as she walked into the surgical suite and that was it – we had no more control and I fell into the arms of my friend, Loralie.

Loralie and I spent the next hours praying and talking, ok mostly talking but not really coming up with any answers. We ask the question “why?” and we tried to explain away our fears and angers about being in the situation we were in. I wondered why two young women with young families had to sit around and discuss what it would be like to let your child go and to completely surrender them to God. Loralie spoke of David and Goliath and the epic battle he won over the giant. She spoke of David’s faithfulness to God and how he was willing to battle a giant in the name of God’s plan. She said, it wasn’t the rocks that killed Goliath, it was God, but He needed somebody stand up and to hold the rocks and slingshot for Him. So Loralie said, “I will stand here and hold your rocks for you. I will stand here and say this is not the way it is supposed to be.  So how about we give Him one more chance, three more hours to see what the surgeon does, to see what God does.” She looked at me and wiped away her tears and held me close as we agreed that we would hope and pray for three more hours.
We prayed that God would help us believe, that He would pluck the cancer from Christian’s body and bring full healing to him. That He would reveal himself to us and we would proclaim His name on high when we were finally victorious. At midnight we were told surgery was still going to be a few more hours so our friends and family departed and went home to wait for the news.  About 30 minutes later Dr. Brindle opened the door to our hospital room (minus Christian’s bed which is always an empty and scary feeling). Chris and I both jumped up at her sudden and unexpected entrance. She came over and sat down and said, “I got it all”. I asked her what did you get? She replied, “I was able to get out the whole tumor, all of it”. I immediately feel to my knees and grabbed her legs and cried out in shear disbelief. Surely she was not saying what I thought she was. Did you say you got the whole tumor out? How is that possible? Against the better judgment of the other surgeons working with her that night she went ahead and attempted an unplanned and impromptu tumor resection when she discovered the tumor was not where they thought it was and it was not touching the structures it was meant to be touching. And the Hand of God begins to show itself as the storey is revealed.

Hours post - op
After she explained what she had done inside his abdomen she told us that most, or many, of her colleagues would never had attempted what she had done and she hoped that she had done the right thing for Christian. Only then did we realize the importance of saying yes to the surgery when we did and not wait until the morning when a different surgeon would be on call. She was able to save all of the vital life altering structures, which were supposed to be invaded by the tumor. She was able to repair his intestine so he could eat and receive medication. We hugged her and each other uncontrollably and the emotions were intense and surreal. How is it possible that three hours before I was contemplating what life would be like with out Christian? I was trying to figure out how to tell Evelyn that Christian had gone to be with Jesus. I wondered where I could run and hide forever once he was gone? And now with the swipe of a surgical hand we were once again handed back our sweet Christian. He was given back to us on a recovery room gurney; he was given back to us tumor (and possible cancer) free. How could this be? Well friends, the answer is God is in control of everything and nothing, not even my unbelief, can alter His love for us.

When we look back at the speed and accuracy with which everything happened there is no doubt in my mind that this was how God was going to rid Christian of his cancer. And so many factors had to be perfectly set in place that the only way it could have worked out would have been if God Himself had orchestrated it. And His view from the top is so perfect and unobstructed. We were devastated when Christian’s cancer came back, we were devastated when the tumor was inoperable, we were devastated when it grew so fast it caused a bowel obstruction and we were devastated that he had to be in so much pain again. When we were demoted to complex surgery to easy his pain until he died, we were inconsolable. But all of these small and defined details where the perfect storm that lead to his surgery by a surgeon who was only going to be in the country for a few more hours. A surgeon who was certain it was too risky of an operation that other surgeons would not have attempted it. A surgery which was the answer to our prayers, “Dear God, would you please just take this cancer out of his body – with a swipe of your hand I know you can heal him”.
Day 5
And despite my unbelief, despite my questions and wavering hope, God presented us with a miracle. A miracle the reminded me that God doesn’t care if you don’t have enough faith, or enough belief, or have prayed enough or in the right way, He doesn’t care if you question his plan or get angry at your circumstances: He loves us beyond all comprehension and there is nothing we can do to make him love us less. There is nothing we can do that will make him want to give us a ‘bad gift’. Everything good comes from God and this is really good, having Christian for another semester or the rest of our lives is so good.
Trying to rest
I immediately got on my phone and called Loralie and told her what Dr. Brindle had done and I will never forget the sound of her high pitched laughter and cries all mixed together. We had spent the whole previous evening recalling miracles Jesus had preformed (both in his time and in ours) and wondered if this was going to be for us, for our boys.  And now we squealed together in disbelief. She sent me a text once she got home that said, “we believed…but then when it happens you realized you didn’t REALLY believe. But He did!” And God’s love has never been clearer to me. He cured me of my unbelief.

Today Christian is still in some pain and recovery is always a little slow with abdominal surgery. Lots of tubes coming out of his body, draining this and that. He is talking and moving more. He is starting to want to play with his toys and engage people in conversation. Once again we await the return of our ‘normal’ four old and eagerly plan his fifth birthday party. Five days ago both Chris and I wondered if he would make it to his birthday on September 6th. But now our hope is renewed and today is a good day and tomorrow when I open my eyes, it will be a great day too! If I have never understood it before, each day is so special and truly not a gift to be wasted. Wasted on anger, greed, resentment, hate or fear. We will try to grasp each day and love hard and earnestly. As we move back into hospital mode I have never been more grateful for the Unit 1 nurses who love Christian with such passion. I could see the pain in their eyes when he was so sick – I feel they were hurting just as we were. Like nobody else they have watched him fight and fight. They have helped us through our darkest nights; they have cleaned up his messes and hugged us when we cried. They have consoled my hurting heart and were not afraid to show me their tears. “Professional distance” doesn’t apply to these nurses who understand what parents need, we need them to love our children just as they do – and they do it so well. Praise God for these angels on earth.
Yucky - but reality
Please continue to pray for Christian’s continued healing and that he will remain in remission. Please continue to pray for Chris and I as we look into alternative therapies for Christian, that God would light the way and open doors for us. Please pray fiercely for the Phaneuf family. That they would be the next to receive their miracle and Jayden would be free from cancer. All the glory in this blog goes to God, as He is the Healer of all illnesses. He is our Father and loves us more than the earth can hold.
Thank God for uncle Nathan who played endlessly with my kids

Today I am thankful for:
1.Loralie Phaneuf and my prayer team
2.Dr. Mary Brindle
3.Belief
4.The opportunity to speak about God’s love and give praise to Him for our gracious gifts
5. Uncle Nathan, Dalton, Peder and Ian who supported us
Street hockey with the cousins


28 comments:

  1. Gulp, sob and smile! Hugs to you all.

    Tracey

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  2. Cried the whole time....tears of elation and pure gratitude for our Father.....hallelujah !!~Crystal

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  3. Praise God,for the great miracle he has given!!Hugs to all!!

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  4. From the start of this blog to the end, I am crying! Happy Tears...that you experienced God's love in the deepest part of your soul. Happy that your miracle boy has been given another chance at life. Happy that you and your beautiful little family can rejoice and can find rest in the palm of God's hand. What a blessing!!!

    Thank you Lord for providing this miracle to this little boy, to his family and to all of us who have also read, watched and have been waiting for a miracle! You have shown us how powerful you are. You have shown me that the view from the top is quite different than the view we often see here but more importantly, how powerful prayer can be.

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  5. Meg- All I could do was cry and praise our God as I read through this blog. Know that we are in constant prayer for you and Christian and everyone else in your family. What else can I say? I love you, we love you, always. - Miriam

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  6. <3 A <3 B <3 S <3 O <3 L <3 U <3 T <3 E <3 L <3 Y <3 BEAUTIFUL ENDING TO SUCH A SAD STORY. <3 G <3 O <3 D <3 IS GREAT <3 I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE <3 J <3 E <3 S <3 U <3 S <3 IS HERE,WHEN IN DOUBT CHECK HIM OUT <3 SUCH AN AWESOME STORY <3 MAY <3 G <3 O <3 D <3 CONTINUE TO BLESS YOUR FAMILY FOR MANY MORE YEARS IN <3 J <3 E <3 S <3 U <3 S <3 HOLY NAME <3

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  7. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow... So thankful to God for the miracle He gave to you.

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  8. Sherry Bagnell Cumming (Friend of Nanny Crowell's)August 28, 2012 at 5:21 AM

    Thank you God! And thank you Megan for sharing Christians journey with us, it has touched my life in so many ways. Thank you for reminding me that in times of "unbelief", God is still watching over us.

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  9. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  10. Dear Family:

    I am thrilled to hear the news, and continue to pray for your boy and your family.

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  11. Thankyou for sharing your journey. Your strength and belief and your amazing love for your son is so beautiful to read about. We don't know each other, but your life story has taught me so many lessons. Thank you for sharing.

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  12. Thankyou for sharing your journey. Your strength and belief and your amazing love for your son is so beautiful to read about. We don't know each other, but your life story has taught me so many lessons. Thank you for sharing.

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  13. Amazing! Really gives a whole new perspective on the power of God and faith.

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  14. I admire your strength in keeping your family together and not giving up in tough times, to Christian who doesn't understand but knows he is not alone. It's not what life throws at you ... it's how you cope. Hoping, praying your family's journey will be positive.

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  15. Amazing! Healing through doctors is just as real. Keep inspiring us all!

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  16. I cried my way thru this post Megan...you described it so eloquently that I felt I was standing there with you as Christian was carried away...and the tears flowed as I thought of what you must have been feeling at that moment, your heart must have been outside of your body as you put all your faith in Dr. Brindle.

    And speaking of Dr. Brindle, she is a hero in my eyes and Christian, well, he is so brave and inspiring and I think God has a plan for that little man...to teach all of us how to live, how to believe, how to never give up the good fight.

    God bless you Megan and Chris...may you continue to enjoy the blessings of little Christian and all that he brings to your life. Continue to do those bucket lists activities, not because you have to but because you can.

    Christian will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers everyday.

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    1. Praise God!!He is so good!Praying for continued healing for Christian,with lotsa laughter and fun

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  17. I pray our wonderful God will give you and Christian's health care team wisdom to make the right decisions for his healing. Our God is the great healer and is merciful and kind. Dear Lord, shelter Christian and his family with your hand and let no harm come to them. Amen

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  18. So happy for you all Megan. Thank you for sharing your blog with us, it gives us all such hope and faith. Hold tight to those you love and live each day for each other. Take care, will be thinking of you all. Hug Christian for us!

    Phyllis

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  19. I gasped and cried and held my breath while I read this. You need to know Megan, that so many people pray with you and cry with you and hope with you. You are never alone. You have sent your words out into the world and you get sent back all that prayer and love and hope.

    As a mother, I cannot express...I am so beyond relieved for you. And every miracle that God performed to put Christian right in that exact moment with that exact doctor.

    God bless her and God bless your family.

    Lise Wendt

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  20. Megan and Chris, I have so many emotions, thoughts, hopes and prayers about all that Christian, yourselves and your family have been through, especially this last while. So much so that I could never fit all words into these comment boxes, I would have to have been writing my own blog. Just know that my faith in God's plans are incredible, that I continue to pray big prayers that Christian continues to have the strength to fight, that he find rest when needed to keep up that fight. And that he be healed, and gains comfort as soon as possible. I pray that you and Chris always keep your faith, and remember that you do not carry that alone- we are all here praying for Christian and your family too. We pray, too, for your good friends, the Phaneuf family. And YES, HUGE thank-yous to Dr. Brindle and the many, many individuals who have contributed to Christian's care. Many gentle hugs and smiles to Christian, you, Chris, Evelyn and Ryan. Mrs. Howe

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    Replies
    1. Hey, tell Christian his Stormtrooper friend from a galaxy far far away thinks his hair looks a lot like Luke Skywalker's. Very cool. The force is strong with Christian and his family and everyone at the Children's. Love and hope from your Star Wars friends.

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  21. There are many people in Truro, Nova Scotia praying for you & Christian especially at Debert Baptist Church & Truro Alliance Church. We have never met but we met Evelyn Millard & she asked us to pray & we did & will keep doing so. Your honesty & faith in God really inspires us. Keep trusting in Him.

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  22. Holding you all close in our thoughts and prayers as we share your joys, angst and anguish. Thankful for all the blessings upon your beautiful family: the monumental strength you gain from your faith; the miracles; the abounding love and support of family, friends and fans. Wishing you all, along with Jayden and the Phaneufs, enduring strength, peace and comfort in your journey. Brandi and family

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  23. Megan, our pastor, Blake at AAC, mentioned your story in the service this morning and I had to come read the latest news. I have met you before, a few years ago I believe. We are friends with The Gelinas family who posts your blog and also know Dalton and Diane. Your faith and Our GOD truly are inspiring and I will continue to pray for Christian's recovery and total healing. It really is a miracle when we truly F.R.O.G. =)
    (Fully Rely On God)

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  24. This was so amazing to comprehend how every decision ended up working out for the better. This has been a true miracle and I've recounted it to many of my friends. I hope to share this journey of hope and God's love with my Religion class in school because it is most inspiring. Love you all so much, keep on fighting,\
    your cousin and nephew Luke.

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  25. You don't know me, my name is Heather. your story has really touched my heart. praise God for your miracle. thank you for sharing so openly. I pray God continues to Bless your entire family.

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