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.

[Litany]

Prayers offered.

[baseballmom]

Praying for Josh, and his family.

[I_love_weather]

UPDATE ON JOSH -

Josh had a stroke last weekend - not good news - at all. An MR scan was able to detect the source/cause of the stroke but unable to assess the extent of the damage caused. While the posterior fossa syndrome persists, it will be difficult to make this assessment since Josh is unable to communicate. Given the area affected, it is likely that Josh's vision / image interpretation processing may be affected. Josh is still lost in a dark world that has become even more scary - it may be several weeks before he emerges.


Please continue to keep Josh in your prayers

[saradippity]

Thanks for the update,sad as it is. I will continue praying for complete recovery for Josh and peace for his family.

I also pray that despite what we on the outside see,or do not see,that God has provided a light within Josh that gives comfort to him until God's plan is accomplished.

[baseballmom]

Oh, that is sad news.

Still praying for Josh and his family, that God will work his miracle on this boy.

[CaptainK]

Sending a prayer for the little boy.

[LibertyAndJusticeForAll]

Prayer bump!

[swany]

Dear Lord, please hold onto this family, give them strength and comfort as only you can.

[I_love_weather]

Update on Josh...

Josh was sent home for a few days this past weekend. He has shown slight improvement...and has spoken a few words. He has a long way to go still...

Please pass this prayer request on...and keep Josh in your prayers.

Thanks everyone :)

[Faith]

Praise God for the improvement and for allowing Josh to go home.

Father, we thank You that You are at work in this little child's life. We praise You for Your faithfulness and we continue believing in Your healing. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

[Faith]

Please see Post #69. Thank you for continuing to pray for this little guy.

[Exit148]

I will certainly offer a prayer for this poor little boy, his medical team and his family. May God the Healer bring this little boy back to complete health, and ease the discomfort he is now experiencing.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Prayers sent.

[Pegita]

Father, we praise You that there has been some recovery for little Josh ... we again place him before You, Lord, and covet full health for him and reassurance for his aching family. Lord, the hearts of those who love him so are grieved at his suffering ... may the mercy that is Yours fall upon Josh in full measure, that he might live and grow and serve, to Your honor and glory ... in the name of Jesus, Amen ...

[kayak]

Praying for continued healing for Josh and for comfort and strength for his family. <><

[manna]

Prayer sent ...

[Shandon Belle]

I've just read tonight about Josh and want you to know I will be praying for Josh. We have just been through similar circumstances with my 3 1/2 yr. old grandson and know how devastating it is. All the prayers helped us and I pray they give you comfort at this time of need. May God protect Josh and look after his whole family. Love, Shandonbelle (Nana)

[SandyEgo]

My heart breaks for you in this misery - my prayers are for Josh and you and the family...love and positive thoughts to all of you from Kansas.

[DittoJed2]

Prayers sent.

[redhead]

Prayers being said.