JUDAH WINS

Don't give up, don't give in! If you don't quit, you win!

Test Results: The Battle Continues

Judah faces another challenge, but God’s promises remain unshaken. Every step is under His protection

Fine Needle Aspiration Results

A couple weeks ago we told you about a suspicious looking 7mm x 6mm tissue in the “thyroid bed” and the upcoming “fine needle aspiration,” during which they would numb some skin, insert a needle, and draw out some cells for analysis. This was completed as planned and the results came back on Wednesday indicating the presence of cancerous cells in the tissue. It’s possible that this is just left-over, diseased thyroid tissue that didn’t get removed in the thyroidectomy last year, but the Dr. is unsure.

Challenges of Surgery

The doctors would have preferred to do another comparatively easy surgery to remove this bit of tissue, but it is right up against Judah’s laryngeal nerve, putting his vocal chords at risk in a surgical procedure. So, the following plan has been recommended by the Endocrine team.

To take out this remaining diseased tissue, another high dose radioactive iodine (RAI) procedure will be used. In order to maximize the impact of the RAI, it’s effects must be concentrated on the rogue tissue in the thyroid bed to the maximum extent possible. To accomplish this, any other suspicious lymph nodes in the region that could be diseased and thereby consume the RAI must be identified and removed surgically BEFORE the RAI is deployed. It’s a fascinating and brilliant strategic process, actually.

Upcoming Plan

An in-depth, full body, low dose radioactive iodine scan will be done to identify any suspicious looking lymph nodes. Any such lymph nodes will be removed surgically in January followed by the RAI. This full body scan will be done on December 16 and we’ll fly to Pennsylvania the next day for the Holidays. Since there are very exacting dietary requirements for Judah in the weeks preceding the scan on the 16th, it’s nice to have all that done before the Holidays so Judah can eat normally over Christmas.

Faith Amidst Discouragement

I must say that this past week was pretty discouraging for Judah and also for Mom and Dad. ;-(

But not because of fear or anger at God. We never wrestle with the tormenting lie that “God is doing this to us to teach us something.” The Bible is plain enough on the subject: God is good and the devil is bad. (John 10:10) The devil is a rebel and a killer. Any sickness that attacks the Christian’s body is not God’s doing. Our job is to stand on the truth of God’s word and through prayer enforce the healing that Jesus’ blood has purchased for us. Jesus made it clear that healing is the children’s bread. (Matthew 15:26) The kingdom of God will come in Judah’s body – period!

The discouragement I think has been more around weariness. The disruption. The unusual diet. The invasive surgical procedures. The missed days of school and work. The phone calls with the hospital to coordinate the next thing.

Winning the battle against disease is painful, messy, and disruptive. Some days it can be just plain exhausting. Sometimes we just cry together.

Encouragement & Divine Signs

God continues to encourage us in the good fight of faith.

Last week a trusted friend and intercessor passed on a very clear dream she received at night in which Judah was given the “all clear” sign — cancer free!

This is the will of God and we will battle until we win. Every weapon that helps us win is a good one including high dose radioactive iodine.

We continue to remind ourselves that this is temporary. This too shall pass. Because Jesus won, we win. Judah wins!

The only outcome we accept is the right outcome: Judah will live a long and healthy life. His future is bright!

Thanks for believing, commanding, and declaring with us:

– Judah’s body is cancer free. Disease is defeated and expelled from his body!

– Judah’s faith is growing through this season of his life. He is becoming a mighty weapon of faith in the hand of God.

– Judah and our family are leaning on and fully trusting in God and His Word for victory over sickness and disease.

We thank you for your prayers for Judah over this past year. God has been good to us! We are confident that Judah will live a long, healthy life for the glory of Christ!

Gratefully yours,

Deborah & Eric Dombach