Clean Six-Month Cancer Scans!

Thomas's leaf specimen collection

Loss of a Dear Boy

God's ways are not our ways, nor can we see from His distant perspective what he does to bring glory and miracles into the world. Previously I asked for prayers for little Beckett, a darling 18-month-old boy who since passed away on Wednesday in what his loving mother described as a grace-filled, beautiful death. Beckett's family attends our small parish, belongs to our homeschool group, attends our Latin Mass weekly, and sits about three pews ahead of us. Beckett's mama anticipated he would be needing heart surgery in December when Thomas was newly in PICU, so she and I were in communication often as surgery plans were made and delayed. We two mothers thought our two sons would be in PICU recovering at the very same time.

But God does not tell us how our lives are playing out and Thomas stayed in the hospital for four and a half months while Beckett did not get to enter the hospital for his hoped-for procedure. After he experienced some complications, he did enter that same hospital, same PICU, cared for by the same surgeons and doctors, loved on by the same nurses, and sharing our same beloved respiratory therapists and housecleaners. Beckett's mama and I have been in communique throughout, sharing our hearts together.

Our community rallied for his family, providing prayers, meals, support, and love, just like they did for us.

But God called dearest Beckett home.

The family appreciates any prayers as they experience their earthly agony and sorrow for making possibly the greatest natural sacrifice one can make: losing one's young child.

P S A L M 27:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me, uttering slanders against me, my adversaries and foes, they shall stumble and fall. 3 Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent, he will set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies round about me; and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! 8 Thou hast said, "Seek ye my face." My heart says to thee, "Thy face, Lord, do I seek." 9 Hide not thy face from me. Turn not thy servant away in anger, thou who hast been my help. Cast me not off, forsake me not, O God of my salvation! 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up. 11 Teach me thy way, O Lord; and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. 13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord!”

I am reading numerous books about suffering right now. There is so much heavy in my heart and challenging questions occupying my thoughts.

Medical Updates

This week, Thomas had appointments with Nephrology, Gastroenterology, and Oncology, plus his COVID test, a Nuke Med injection, as well as PT and OT. He had his last visit from the home health nurse and has graduated from that program.

This week, Thomas essentially ditched his wheelchair. He is increasing in strength continually and, on Monday, he simply did not get into his wheelchair until 4:00 p.m., just walking around the house instead. Each day this week, he has now been a walking kid . . . in his own way, of course! He is slow and lurching, but he's doing just fine. He understands that he'll still need his wheelchair for endurance for quite some time, such as when going on a neighborhood walk or a trip to the doctor's office.

One day I heard the front door open and close and was astonished to see that Thomas had simply walked outside like a regular five-year-old kid. In fact, he was out there singing at the top of his lungs, Figaro! Figaro! Figaro-figaro-figaro! What joy for this little guy to be tasting bits of independence after half a year.

Figaro!

Gardening with Mama . . . 

He strolled over for mealtime prayers--standing for the first time all casually like he didn't spend six months unable to walk . . . 

Walking through the Family Dollar with Daddy to buy items for his planned "No Port Party" . . . 

Now that Thomas can move around without my constant assistance, he is starting to do things without my knowing, just like a typical five-year-old kid. One day he went to his little bedroom and set up an altar, as he explained to me, right next to his bed so he can watch it during the night.

Coloring while waiting at Nuke Med

Lunch at the hospital cafeteria, per Thomas's request

Six-Month Cancer Scans and Port Removal

Thomas chose his beloved Squid to attend his MIBG and CT scans. They ask us to label any stuffed animals with the patient's name so Thomas made his own tag.

After his scans, Thomas was wheeled down to the OR (still anesthetized) to have his port removed. He came out of the quick surgery with a darling heart-shaped bandage.

We ran into at least ten staff members who gushed and fawned over Thomas, from the lobby security guard and reception desk folks, to nurses and doctors from other departments who were simply walking by. So many folks told us how desperately they had been praying for our son during the dark days. And while our surgeon Dr. B--- was already scheduled today so he could not be the surgeon to do Thomas's port removal, he still came by during recovery to chat with us. It was heartwarming to see so many people who helped Thomas.

On our drive home, we received the official call: THOMAS CONTINUES TO SHOW NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! No cancer!

We praise God that he allows us to continue parenting all of our children earthside.

Thomas will now go three months before he has another Oncology check-up and more scans in mid-August.

We will be celebrating with a "No Port Party" (just our family) this weekend and are all prepared with a piñata, decorations, and games!