Prayer Request for 7 Year Old Boy

July 6 2003

[I_love_weather]

I hate to post in the front-page section...however if it will reach more people...then it will be worth it.

I received this letter from a friend today...could everyone please place this little boy on their prayer lists...and take this prayer request to their churches?

Josh is 7 years old - the second of three sons of Rina and Drew. Rina works at (left out for privacy) producing company literature, newsletters, etc. and organizing social events including the summer picnic and Christmas party. Rina is one of those special people that touches everyone's heart with her kindness and outgoing spirit. Josh and his two brothers have always been a special part of the companies family.

Josh started complaining of nausea and headaches several weeks ago. Rina took Josh to the emergency room. His headaches had become severe and he was screaming with pain. A CT scan that evening confirmed that Josh had a golf-ball sized tumor in the midline of the cerebellum. The doctor quickly administered a steroid to relieve the pressure that was causing the severe headaches. Josh immediately recovered and returned to his normal mischievous behavior.

Josh has a medulloblastoma tumor. He was operated on the following Wednesday. After seven hours (the longest hours ever) Josh was brought to the recovery room. Dr. Hollenberg (a friend) was not able to remove the entire tumor as one section was attached to the wall of the fourth ventricle. Another section was entangled with the brain stem. That night Josh had a series of severe seizures. Post-operative seizures are not uncommon but the duration and severity of the seizures were troubling.

The next day, Josh had shown signs of recovery. However, within a day his recovery had slipped and he is now suffering from Posterior Fossa Syndrome that results in mutism (inability to speak) along with several neurological deficits. I watched him thrashing for hours - unable to speak and unlikely able to see anything more than highly blurred images - his brain struggling to adjust to the severe trauma caused by the surgery. He is locked inside a scary world - unable to communicate the terror that he is feeling. My heart has been aching from the images of seeing him thrashing from pain and loneliness. I wish I could simply walk into that dark place and take Josh by the hand and lead him to the light..

The Posterior Fossa Syndrome should subside with time - perhaps three weeks to three months - and his speech should return. There will likely be several neurological deficits that will linger or remain. Soon he will start a long process of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. His prognosis is mixed - a fifty percent chance of survival after five years.

END LETTER

Please pray for Josh and his family...as they try to cope and manage through this difficult time.

[saradippity]

I have been praying on and off,but regularly,since I read this post last night. It certainly puts life into perspective.

May that suffering little boy and his entire family experience the peace that only Christ can give quickly and may it be long lasting.

[manna]

Prayer sent ...

[NRA2BFree]

Heavenly Father, Our hearts ache when a little child suffers. We know healing has already been provided for Josh through the cross of Jesus Christ. We commit Josh to You and ask for You to remove all afflictions, sicknesses, and diseases from him. Restore every part of his body so that it functions perfectly. Keep him strong, Lord, and help him not to fear. Let him feel Your arms of love surrounding him. Please provide wonderful peace for his parents, and give them faith to remove this mountain so that Josh may be able to live a long and healthy life in service to You. Thank You, Lord, for Your wonderful answers. Keep Josh and his family patient as they wait in faith, believing in Your power and Your desire to heal him. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Father, I stand in agreement with this prayer for Josh and his family, that Faith has so graciously prayed on their behalf. We are seeking your mercy and your healing touch for little Josh. Please don*t let him suffer any more. We ask this in Jesus name! Amen.

[Tribune7]

prayer bump

[Davea]

I'll pray too.

[Dahlseide]

I join with you in this & all the other prayers for Josh.

[EODGUY]

Josh and his family will be the focus of my prayers at Mass tomorrow.

God bless,

EODGUY

[Faith]

Please keep Josh's name lifted up before our Savior, Jesus Christ, our Great Physician.

[Faith]

Amen to your prayer! To God be the glory.

[redhead]

Praying...God be with this boy. Today's Epistle was so appropriate for the suffering we are feeling that I will never be able to read it again without thinking of the agony of prayer that is being offered on behalf of Freepers and their loved ones: God said to Paul in the epistle, "...my grace is sufficient for you..." Amen.

[Azbushgal]

The prayer warriors are on this one. May the God of comfort be the comfort that is needed. James 5 is helpful on suffering as well as Psalm 55. Heart felt prayers for the little one.

[mlmr]

Place this little boy and his family in Your loving hands, Lord.

[tiki]

He will be in my prayers.

[Faith]

Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer.

[ladyinred]

Oh how sad. My sincere prayers going up for this precious child.

[I_love_weather]

Thank You Everyone for the continued prayers...I am hoping that I can get the word spread around...and people will add Josh to their prayer chain lists and all at their churches.

I know prayer works! I have seen it in my life...and many others.

[Bigg Red]

Jesus, Lord, hold this little boy close to your heart, and bring him to full recovery through your loving care. Send his family the strength that they need to deal with this tragedy. Amen.

[Pegita]

Lord, the afflication on this little child is great ... thank You, Lord, that You are greater. We ask that You touch Josh in a mighty and extraordinary way ... bring him forth, as Lazarus from the tomb ... that all might see the wonder of Your power ... in the name of Jesus, I pray ... Amen

[pubmom]

Prayers for Josh and his family.

[TotusTuus]

Prayers for Josh and his family.