There is a family in our church whom I have known the Mom (June) since we were both teenagers. This is their announcement of their son Stephen's illness. Please pray for this 13 year old boy. God is a God of miracles and that is just about what it is going to take for this boy to pull through. I just can't imagine much worse news for a family to endure at Christmas time. They are a dear family and Stephen was recently baptized.

Taylor



In November Stephen (age 13) was carrying William (his little brother age 6) on his shoulders when William moved suddenly and twisted Stephen's back. The following days Stephen complained of aching and twitching in his back. His mom massaged his back muscles and felt what she thought were muscle spasms along his spine. Perhaps that was the first symptom of what has drastically changed their lives - metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma.

Leg pain that was presumed to be sciatica was added to Stephen's ongoing backaches. Thursday (12/15) Wayne visited him at school and found him lying on a bench instead of interacting with the other kids. Together they walked up to the gym and Stephen got short of breath, even in such a short distance. Something was definitely abnormal.

On Friday (12/16) Wayne (the father) took Stephen in for a doctor's check up. After listening to Stephen's chest, the doctor said there was reduced air flow in the right lung. A blood test and x-ray were ordered. Stephen was frustrated with the whole doctor process, but nevertheless, they got the blood drawn that day and then went home for the weekend. Friday evening, during family tree-decorating activities, Stephen was feeling low and as June (the Mom) looked at him lying on the couch, she felt that something looked wrong. He wasn't himself.

On Sabbath June went to church, leaving Wayne home with the kids because Stephen was not feeling up to going out. After she got back, Wayne told her the doctor had noticed reduced air flow in the right lung and they decided to get their stethoscope and listen for themselves. Stephen's right lung was completely silent. June also noticed that his back looked deformed. There was a bulge on his right side. Immediately they took him in for the x-ray that had been ordered and didn't leave until they saw the results. Eighty percent of the right lung was solid white - filled with liquid. This was a serious sign that Stephen needed immediate intervention. After some consultation they decided the fastest route finding the root of the problem would be through the ER. There Stephen was given a cat scan and his parents were told that he had a tumor near his right kidney. More testing was done - the news got worse. The tumor, which Wayne and June at first had the impression was small, turned out to be 11 X 15 centimeters, encompassing his kidney, adrenal gland, aorta and part of his spinal column.

The next day, Sunday, they inserted a chest tube and drained 2 liters of fluid off of Stephen's lung. They also took bone marrow biopsies from his hips. There were cancer cells in both the fluid from his lungs and 30% of the bone marrow samples. The doctors began aggressively pursuing tests to determine tumor cell type. It was a confusing picture. On Monday (12/19) they operated to clean out the tumorous tissue that had invaded his spinal cord, preventing progressive impairment of body functions. During this surgery they were able to get a biopsy of the primary tumor for testing. Wednesday (12/21), the final tumor diagnosis was made, and within a few hours, Stephen was started on an aggressive chemotherapeutic regimen. The regimen will involve chemo to shrink the tumor, then surgery to attempt resection of the tumor, then radiation to the tumor bed and finally, more chemotherapy. This schedule will occur over a one year period.

We are kicking into battle mode, and are praying for a miracle.

This is a horrendous diagnosis. I will certainly join the prayers for a miracle of healing for Stephen, according to the will of God, and for support for him and his family during this dreadful time.

Praying for Stephen and his family and his medical team that will be treating him.

Thanks so much for all of your prayers, and yes Nan, this is a dreadful dianosis. I understand that this type of cancer is quite rare and agressive.

Hello Taylor,

Somehow I missed this post until this morning. What a sad thing to happen anytime, especially at Christmas time.

Yes, our God is a God of miracles and I join with the family, you, and all the others who are praying for a miracle for Stephen.

Please keep us informed of Stephen's progress.

Naomi

HEY TO TAYLOR

I will also pray for this family.

dgrimm60

Oh Taylor... what dreadful news. I cannot think of a worse diagnosis for this young man, and his family to have to endure.

I will also be praying for healing according to the mercy and will of the Father.

OH Abba... please.... but according to Thy will, always.

Clio

Our family will remember this family in prayer.

"Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Rev. 22:20

OH! My Father in heaven, please, in the name of Jesus and I claim the Blood of Jesus to attend this prayer... Father please hear my prayer for Jesus' sake and for this lad Stephen... because I am an unfit vessel for thee... Father, please heal the boy from this cancer... Give comfort and strength to him and his family... Please guide and inspire the medical teams working in this situation... Please strengthen his system so that healing and victory over this cancer will come at last... Father, we know it will be a long road... May the Presence of Jesus, through our Comforter, The Holy Spirit be with them all... Please send your Holy Angels to protect them from harm, evil and danger... In the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, and by the Sacrifice and Merits of His Blood and Grace, Amen and Amen!

In unity of faith with Anthony, Abba, I add my plea to his.

Amen.