Apology and looking outward

A doctor called us late this past week and apologized for the "misdiagnosis" of cancer. I was starting to question my listening skills, but she verified we were, in fact, told it was for sure malignant cancer on Friday, Feb. 6. Then Monday, after such a long weekend, we were told it was 90% likely MPNST---a certain type of cancer. But apparently, the Birmingham pathologists started doubting themselves on Tuesday and were glad they had sent it off to Emory for verification. On Wednesday, our Dr. Pressey says he ran into the pathologist who said to him, "I'm starting to think it's some rare form of fasciitis. We should hear from Dr. Weiss (at Emory) soon." Then Wednesday night is when we found out it was nodular fasciitis and not cancer.

So, I want to pass along this apology to all who were so emotionally involved with us. It's really hard to believe it was only 7 days (I count the day Paul had surgery and the surgeon told us it absolutely looked like cancer to him). What a 7 days it was! We told the apologizing doctor that so long as she didn't call back and tell us it was in fact malignant, we were okay with the crazy week we had. What a learning experience!!

And now, we're left with a new outlook on life----a new love for our children, a new appreciation for our friends and family, a new dependence on prayer, and a new sense of responsibility to those suffering. This has certainly been a life-changing experience. For starters, I pledge to pray for others as you have prayed for us. I want to be a support and a source of hope for others as so many people have been for us. And, I want to pray for miracles as you all have prayed for our little one. I know things don't always happen the way we want them to----as it has in our case with Paul----and I don't claim to understand this. I don't know why we escaped this and yet so many others really do have sweet, innocent children suffering from cancer or other terrible things. I am incredibly grateful for the miracle of Paul's tumor being benign and yet, I feel guilty that others do not get such good news.

For those who do not know, St. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes. He is one whose aid is sought when all hope is lost, especially in grave health matters and life-and-death situations. It is customary to make a vow that if he helps when called upon, one will publish a notice of thanks. And so, we THANK YOU, St. Jude!!

And now, I look to St. Jude hospital as a place to focus on others. They have a wonderful website and even feature a patient of the month. Anybody wanting to join me can pray for this month's patient and his family (www.stjude.org ):

Joshua Solomon, 5 years old, was found to have a brain stem glioma in August 2008.

Joshua's Story:

Joshua is a sweet-natured boy. He has an engaging smile and he loves to give hugs. An only child, Joshua is the apple of his parents’ eyes. “He makes our day, every day,” said his mom. When Joshua suddenly fell ill during a family trip in late August, his family immediately rallied around him.

During the trip, Joshua developed neck pain and started to vomit. His family rushed him to a local hospital where the emergency room doctor ordered a CT scan and, when the results came in, sent the family to a larger hospital with a pediatric intensive care unit. "We didn't really know why he was sending us there. We were kind of in a daze, and just praying," Joshua's mom remembered. At the larger hospital, doctors ordered an MRI, which revealed devastating news for Joshua's parents: their boy suffered from an inoperable brain stem glioma, a type of brain tumor.

But there was hope on the horizon. Joshua's parents were familiar with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and asked his doctor for a referral.

At St. Jude:

Joshua underwent chemotherapy and 30 rounds of radiation. Throughout it all, St. Jude provided Joshua and his family everything they needed. “The doctors are first class,” Joshua's mom said. “The care and concern St. Jude gave us was amazing.”

Joshua's parents are astonished by the generosity of people who give to St. Jude. “Because of them, St. Jude provides care for all children,” said Joshua's mom. “Whether families have insurance or not, the patients get first class care. I know Danny Thomas is looking down from Heaven and smiling.”

Joshua finished his treatment in November, and he returns to St. Jude every three months for checkups. He is in preschool and he loves Thomas the Train. Recently, Joshua went horseback riding for the first time. “He loved it,” his mom said. “He can’t wait to go back."