Monday, July 7, 2008

Surgery finished

Joseph has been out of surgery for about 2 hours now and is in the ICU recovering. The surgeon said that they removed as much of the area as possible and that things went fine. He said that what he removed looked like tumor, not radiation necrosis. We have to wait for the pathology to come back for sure and that won't happen for a few more days, but it does not look like the good news we wanted to hear. I have to keep reminding myself that this surgery was mainly to remove the pressure from the growing mass and in that light it was successful. The fact that it looks like tumor is devastating.

Joseph has had a rough day and is very irritable. The ICU is not like the one in Atlanta with nice private rooms and the feeling of security. He has curtains for walls and no TV or anything to distract him. Hopefully he will just spend one night there and then be transferred to the floor. But this night is going to be very hard. Please pray for peace and for strength for everyone to get through it. Thanks.

46 comments:

Mommy to those Special Ks said...

We're praying hard this comes back as NOT a tumor. :( Praying so very hard. Keep on keeping on.

Anonymous said...

Dearest friends..have been without a computer for the last week so am catching up (heard some of the concerns from Beth last week, but hadn't heard an update). Please know that you continue in our prayers and we'll especially be praying tonight that Joe P gets some decent rest in the PICU and that he is able to give you two some breaks (esp. Gillian! ;)) Praying fervently that it's not tumor, and praying for the Lord's peace and healing no matter what. Love Jeanne for the Fell's.

Anonymous said...

We have been with you all day. Our thoughts are consumed with Joseph. Everyone is praying for comfort for you all. Know that you are so loved even by people that you do not know. Love to all of you, Karl and Martha

Dave, Ami, Hadleigh Claire, Annelise, and True said...

continuing to pray.

Anonymous said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you tonight. I will pray for peace for both of you and cannot imagine how hard this is.

scott and paige

Anonymous said...

Our hearts are aching for all of you. We will continue to lift you up in prayer for the strength and comfort only God can give. Love, the O'Steens

Craig and Gwen said...

Praying for it not to be Tumor and for good rest for all tonite...

Much love - Gwen

Anonymous said...

Praying my friends!

Love ya,
Jo Little

Randi said...

Praying that it is necrosis, not tumor. Praying for strength for all of you. Just giving yoy all a great big hug in spirit.
Randi Booth

Anonymous said...

I'm so, so sorry Gillian and Allen. Paige and I are so sad for you and so upset. We prayed tonight for your family's comfort and peace, like you asked, and as we prayed I was reminded that the way of the Cross is suffering. You are suffering like our Father suffered, and like so many parents have suffered, and I am so sorry for you for it.

I am deeply comforted, though, in knowing how dearly God loves your little boy - far more than everyone who reads your blog and even more than you yourselves. Christ is crazy in love with him and will fight forever to protect him from his enemies. For that reason, he has been the first to weep with you. I pray that he will be near your family tonight and in the days to come. We will continue praying that this merciless tumor will be destroyed in the meantime. We love you all very much and hope you can sleep tonight.

scott cunningham

Anonymous said...

Just realized, after re-reading the posts, that it's not certain that it is tumor. Will continue to pray with everyone else that it is not tumor, too. Your surgeon's observations notwithstanding. -sc

Anonymous said...

i'm thinking of you all tonight...keeping you in my prayers.

Dee Dee said...

Praying for you all.

Anonymous said...

Know that you are not alone in that room.
Melissa and Kayla

Anonymous said...

I am continuing to pray for yall.

The Loeffels said...

I am praying/pleading for much peace and strength for all of you tonight. I pray he can be moved out of ICU quickly. I pray for as much rest as possible for all of you. I pray for God's peace to guard your heart and minds. I pray God will hold you during this time. We love you all more than you could imagine. The Loeffels

Mad Fat Woman said...

praying tonight

Anonymous said...

Praying for you all and God's healing.

Anonymous said...

We are so sorry that you guys are back in that recovery room. We truly agonize with you. We love you and pray for you so fervently.

Stanton Stebbins said...

The rest of the residents and I are following this blog and are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers constantly. I remember taking care of Joe for a bit in the PICU, and I was hoping he wouldn't have to go back there. Let us know if you need *anything* from us. - Stanton

Anonymous said...

We are praying for rest and peace in God's immense love for your family!
Chad and Jennifer Smith

Sally said...

Praying for rest tonight.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5
The Littlejohns

notes of em said...

may the peace of the Lord that passes all understanding be holding you close throughout the night.

Courtney said...

This is a tough, tough time and I know you probably feel scared and defeated. If you don't feel like praying or don't know what to say or do, you don't have to. Many, many people are praying on your behalf.

-Courtney S.

Anonymous said...

I love this St. Augustine prayer:

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake,
or watch, or weep tonight,
and give your angels and saints
charge over those who sleep.

You're in our thoughts and prayers. I don't know what to say, but that we love you guys and Joseph and are hoping for the best.

Anonymous said...

Isaiah41:13 says "Iam the Lord your God,Who holds your right hand,and I tell you "Dont be afraid,I will help you" also Matthew 11:28"Come to me all of you who are tired and have heavy loads,and I will give you rest".Praying for peace.Sleep sound in Jesus.Lots of love Nana and Holly-Bear

Lynn T said...

Praying for you all tonight. We love you so much and thinking of you constantly.

Sara Beth said...

praying and hoping and considering the nature of the God we believe in.

love yall,
Sara B

Unknown said...

...continuing to pray for all of you - the Williams

Anonymous said...

be still my soul
the Lord is on your side.
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
leave to your God to order and provide
in every change, He faithful will remain.
be still my soul
your best, your heavenly Friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

i love you guys.

- batmar

Carrigan Family said...

Praying right now - praying Joseph is sleeping well and for a peaceful spirit for him. Praying without ceasing for a ram in the thicket ......

Anonymous said...

We are all thinking of little Joe and all the family. Sam said a prayer for him yesterday at Grannys funeral and the priest asked everyone to think of him too. Love, Catherine Tighe & family xxx

Anonymous said...

Praying for you all.

Love,
Sara and Rob Wade

Anonymous said...

thinking of you...

humble servant said...

I'm praying for peace and God's great healing for Joseph and for all of you as well.

God Bless you.

Anonymous said...

praying that Joe will bounce back quickly from this surgery. We love you and our prayers are with you constantly.
vann & norma

trmills said...

We sure are praying. Thank you for keeping us up to date, and we are praying continually for God to ease your burdens. Much love and wishes for peaceful rest.

Anonymous said...

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Eph 3:20

Humbly praying for you all.

Love, Carolyn

Anonymous said...

Praying, praying, and praying. Wish there was more we could do. May you be moved to a cozy, peaceful room soon.
Love, Vivi and John

Chloƫ said...

thinking of you all the time. xxx chloe

Anonymous said...

we are thinking of you all and hoping that joseph is comfortable very soon. take care of yourselves. lots of love. ingrid xxxxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

We are praying for you all very hard. We have been thinking about you a lot and hope we hear some good news very soon.

Love,
Glen and Kelly Iannucci :)

Anonymous said...

We are praying for you all - for peace, strength, and courage through this difficult time.

Sending our love to you and sweet Joe P.

Liz & Scott Davenport

Anonymous said...

praying and thinking of you....

The Johnson Kids said...

I have stopped to say a prayer for Joseph and will continue fervently praying for him and your family. What a tough time this is for all of you.

Anonymous said...

Dear Gillian and Allen,

We are still praying in Atlanta.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ~2 Corinthians 9:8

Love,
Betsy