JUDAH WINS

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Judah’s Surgery Recovery Update

Recovery Milestones

Howdy!

We are finally getting to an update following Judah’s surgery recovery these past few weeks. We want to thank you all for your diligence in prayer and we have definitely felt it! Judah’s recovery went so smoothly, even with the usual soreness. He missed 3 days, had the weekend to rest and then returned to school Monday: steri-strips on his two surgical sites and all!

He even told his orthodontist, without skipping a beat, “Yep, a shark bit me!” And when his friends asked questions, he felt the freedom to talk about it or not and people respect him for it. The teachers have been wonderful and helpful to him as well, many of them telling me that they are praying for him. I asked him if he wants me to put Vitamin E on the pink scars to help them possibly fade. He said, “No mom. Scars are cool!” Tough kid.

Medical Checkups

We had Judah’s post-surgery visits on Tuesday, March 29. The surgeon was pleased with how his neck is healing and the facial numbness continues to subside. And he had no left shoulder weakness, which was a possibility due to the nerves in the neck that they operated near.

Next Steps

His primary doctor (Endocrinologist) outlined the plan for the next step in the process. There will be another radioactive iodine scan right after Judah is out of school, June 1. She said if that scan is clear then there will be no need to do another radioactive isotope treatment which would put him into isolation for a week just like the one before. The doctor wants to make sure there are no small bits of disease left anywhere and this is the best way to get them, after surgery. So of course, we are believing and declaring that his body is free and clear of all cancer and that this scan will be clean!

Bone Scan Results

The thing that was added to our day was a bone scan, which was not something we expected. Because the original cancer was so advanced the Doctor wanted to make sure there was no metastases on the bones.

Last fall they checked his lungs and those were clear which was wonderful! Since they had never done a bone scan and one of his markers during bloodwork back in the Fall was pretty high, they wanted to make sure there was nothing in the bones.

Upcoming Scan

We got a call a couple days later that there were three spots that showed up on that scan and they wanted to do x-rays to see better exactly what those areas were. I took Judah that Friday morning for those x-rays. As the technician was taking the pictures I was sitting quietly and praying. I saw a picture in my mind of Jesus with a giant pencil with erasor on the end and he was erasing spots off the scans. Wow, this made me smile and have me such peace!

Two hours later, the Doctor called and said “I have good news.” Yay!! It felt so good to hear those words! She said the spots on his skull and ankle showed no cancer. The spot on his shin is a benign growth that she said is actually common in boys who are in puberty. The only concern would be weakening with a fracture risk, so Judah will see an orthopedic Doctor at the end of May to see what should be done. To me, this was so minor compared to the last couple of years! And we are praying that disappears as well!

Peace & Faith During the Journey

God has been so near and so faithful through these weeks and months. His Presence has brought so much comfort and peace in the face of the fear that can so often accompany this type of journey. Fear is NOT from our Father and His perfect love overcomes and overwhelms all fear, just like a light coming on in a dark room!

We so appreciate your care for Judah and the part each of you have in calling forth his destiny and keeping him on God’s purposed path for his future. God is doing something very special in Judah as his own faith is growing by leaps and bounds and we are so excited to see his future!