One Step at a Time

The first of many finger pricks and
pictures of Mom holding #BenBrave.

Gathering facts is tedious.

Often it involves discomfort due to fasting, finger-pokes, cuffs that squeeze uncomfortable sterilization swabs that sting, cold gels and even colder scanning tools, and loooooong waits.

But after progressing over about 3 months from stomach flu, to pneumonia with dehydration, to anemia, and to possible enlarged spleen we had an answer!

It was an 11cm x 8cm x 11cm mass next to #BenBrave's left kidney. Cancer type: Wilms tumor. The doctor was quick to add "this is treatable - operable" and even shared about a 2-1/2-year-old who had this and was now five, healthy and thriving.

What a trooper!

THOUGHT INTERRUPTION: You know, when you have a say in the care given, it is much easier to receive. The technicians would always ask this little guy which finger or which arm (or ankle) he'd prefer to be targeted for the needle prick or the blood pressure cuff. He would offer the limb of choice. Having a choice is so empowering!

All that was a Tuesday and by Thursday #BenBrave was getting his first IV (very difficult) and the surgeons were going to extract the tumor.

One of the first of many hurry-up-and-wait experiences.

While waiting, prayer warriors were in action. And we knew they were being listened to and God's grace was pouring out. Here's why:

• Surgical team only meets on Wednesdays so quick decisions were able to be made.
• Hospital with Wilms expert is 20 min. from #BenBrave's home.
• Optimism prevailed not only with medical staff but with Mom and Dad.
• New, understanding friends abound.
• Solid job history for Mom and Dad so time needed and family medical leave was generously provided.

I recall a phone update from Dad on this first day of many. There is a coffee shop within the hospital (with excellent coffee btw). And someone whose child was receiving chemotherapy brought my son a gift card from that coffee shop. He then shared his own story with #BenBrave's dad. 

This young man lived a couple-hundred miles away from his hospital. And he saw a stunned parent he didn't recognize. His generous gift of time and understanding was a high point that day. It made an impression I knew would last forever as he shared with #BenBrave's dad the deep worries he had faced down.

I'm glad for strong, independent men. But what really reveals their character is being thrown into a situation they cannot fix. To whom do you turn when you can't fix the problem? What do you do when answers are not what you want to hear? How do you cope with your little boy being so very, very sick?

This kind, loving man linked arms with my own son that day. His path joined with #BenBrave's dad for a bit. It's amazing to see someone planted along the way ready to encourage, offer the benefit of his own experience (aka wisdom). This empathy kindled a concern and sensitivity to the needs of others within #BenBrave's dad that day. 

It still burns brightly.