Posted on 04/12/2012 2:46:13 PM PDT by mills044
Fellow FReepers (sorry in advance for the long post)-
This is an update to a thread I posted on 3/31/12, and an urgent request for further prayers for my beautiful wife Nikki. God bless those of you who were able to help by praying for us on that thread! We KNOW that your prayers have helped our family, as I will outline in this update. More help is needed though!
On that Saturday morning, while my wife and I, & our 4 children were standing around the kitchen island talking about the upcoming day, she collapsed. I rushed Nikki to the Emergency Room, and after a series of CT scans and MRI’s, we were transported to a second hospital with a better neurology team. The early diagnosis was either a brain tumor or possible lesion due to MS, and the next day we received confirmation that it was the former: a “low grade glioma,” is the term they used.
But your prayers began coming in that very night after I posted, 160 or so in all. THANK YOU! The initial team of doctors at Abbott NW (Minneapolis) advised us that the tumor was inoperable, because of its proximity to Nikki’s speech/right-side-motor area of the brain. They didn’t even want to perform a biopsy, fearing permanent brain damage. Instead they proposed a “wait and monitor” approach, and asked us to come back in two months to see if the tumor had grown or changed. This is apparently a controversial area in the brain tumor world, but this approach is one of the schools of thought.
Nikki began having further daily seizures after we were discharged, unfortunately, despite the anti-seizure medication. We began seeking out a second opinion as soon as we got home.
I called the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and almost miraculously, they said they had an opening that very day (we live in a suburb of Minneapolis). That was on Tuesday April 3rd. We met with an incredible neurologist who initially spent an entire hour with us, going over Nikki’s MRI scans and explaining to us that though it was in a dangerous area, the tumor was certainly not inoperable. We met with an incredible neurosurgeon the very next day who concurred. Since then we’ve been down to the Mayo Clinic several more times for various tests, and are currently staying in a Rochester hotel, waiting… for tomorrow.
Tomorrow Nikki will undergo surgery to remove this thing. She will be awake for it, as they need to stimulate parts of her brain while she is speaking, in order to be sure they are proceeding as safely as possible. The craniotomy is expected to take at least 8 hours.
FRiends, we have never been more afraid in our lives.
Our doctor is a brilliant man named Dr. Ian Parney, and as I understand it, there is literally no person in the country with more experience in brain tumor resection. I have no doubt that the power of prayer brought him to us. We have placed all of our trust in the Lord, and are praying to Him for strength, courage, and above all, His healing touch. I am asking for anyone who has a spare moment, to keep Nikki in their prayers for this Friday. She has a beautiful heart and soul, and is the most courageous human being I’ve ever met. She brought me to a wonderful church one day that changed my life such that today I consider myself to be a true (albeit inperfect) Christian. I’m actually on the opposite end of the spectrum from perfect, in my opinion! But Jesus Christ is my savior, and he died on the cross for my sins. My mother-in-law sent us flowers and a card the other day, which referenced a bible verse Phillipians 4:13. I broke down when I read it, because it is beautiful:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Sorry for the long post everyone. I just want to thank you all again for praying to the Lord to help us. If you can spare another moment or two in continued prayer, I would be so very grateful again.
Lord, God, we lift up every family member . . . and every relationship in this family.
Lord, please cause them to have burned into their awareness with lasting emphatic import
YOUR PRIORITIES, OH LORD—PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF THE SUPER HIGH PRIORITY YOU PLACE ON RELATIONSHIPS, MUTUAL LOVE, SUPPORT UNDERSTANDING, FORGIVENESS, HUMILITY, BROKENNESS BEFORE YOU AND OTHERS, VULNERABILITY TOWARD ONE ANOTHER ETC.
Bring everyone to a place of confession and repentance one to another that Nikki may be healed as supported wholesale by the LOVE BORN FAITH, Lord, Jesus.
May every last individual in the family TURN FROM—THOROUGHLY LASTINGLY TURN FROM ALL UNFITTING, UNNECESSARY CONTENTIOUSNESS, RESENTMENT, BITTERNESS, UNFORGIVENESS, IMPATIENCE, PERFECTIONISM, PRISSINESS, HAUGHTINESS, !CONTROL! FREAKYNESS, ALL RELATIONSHIP HOGWASH, OH, LORD,
IN Jesus’ Name.
Please, Lord, bring the relationships to a model of Biblical health as well as Nikki’s brain, in Jesus’ Name.
New International Version (©1984)
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.
New Living Translation (©2007)
Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.
English Standard Version (©2001)
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
If I walk in trouble, you will save me! In the anger of my enemies you will reach your hand and your right hand will save me!
GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Even though I walk into the middle of trouble, you guard my life against the anger of my enemies. You stretch out your hand, and your right hand saves me.
King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me: you shall stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand shall save me.
Praying today for you and Nikki dear.
Nikkie is in my prayers.
May the G-d of Abraham, Issac and Jacob heal her totally-in fact, may the tumor be gone..May He send the Comforter for all of your family..
Prayers for God’s blessings on all.
I have a request . . .
Please pray for healing between Laz and God . . .
STILL PRAYING . . .
on crackers & cheese fast until operation’s slated to be about over . . . . in her behalf.
BE ENCOURAGED IN THE LORD.
HE ALONE IS WORTHY. HE ALONE IS ABLE.
Have an errand to do . . . will continue praying.
No problem brother, prayers sent...
Oh Quix, your prayers and thoughts are enough! You needn’t fast as well... But you are a wonderful person and thank you again.
Update: they are now removing parts of the tumor (per an update from a nurse). Good news so far, all is going well. Praying that they can remove a high percentage of this thing.
Dear Lord, please guide nikki’s surgeon’s hands and bring her through this safe and sound.
Just checking in. Prayers for Nikki, and her surgical team.
Prayers for you, too, of course.
I DID TOO! Around 5am. I don't ususally "get" those things.
Back from errand.
Prayed going and coming back in her behalf.
My delight is to do as I’ve felt led in Nikki’s behalf.
LET GOD ARISE AND HIS ENEMIES BE SCATTERED . . . IN Nikki’s behalf.
THANKS FOR THE UPDATE.
PRAISE GOD.
Prayers that they get every last cell and sub-atomic particle of the offending ugly thing.
And that her brain makes a whole, full recovery from the trauma etc.
How old, may I ask?
Even in relatively old age—past 70—brains are amazingly plastic . . . trainable—much more so than we used to think.
I don’t recall about the speach area, though. I know accents are hard to correct in a foreign language when learned after puberty.
But that can involve hearing the 2nd language, too.
Anyway, I’m just praying that there’s extremely minimal to no diminishment of her language speach or motor areas.
Did he say what specific motor functions were at risk?
I pray her strength holds out splendidly.
I assume they have her relaxed with meds to a large degree.
THX THX.
BLESSINGS, ONGOING PRAYERS.
LibertyRocks;
I can read FREEPMAILS but I’m not allowed to respond to them.
I’ll just ask all on this prayer thread to lift you and your medical etc. situations up to The Lord for His strengthening and solutions.
I think you have my email. We can connect that way . . . or by Joya’s. She’s good at forwarding.
My heart goes out to you and yours.
My fever is still down. Congestion is loosening . . . should remember to take my Mucinex.
Thanks for your caring persistent prayers.
God’s best to you and yours.
Hugs and prayers,
I love the Lord with all my heart and I know that he will take care of all of you.
May the surgeons’ hands be Blessed and guided by God as they do their work....
May Our Father place His loving arms around you and give you a strong place to rest...
And may He hear all of our prayers and heal your wonderful wife and give her all of the strength she needs to fully recover...
Amen....Mrs CT HillBilly
UPDATE: OUT OF SURGERY— 9 hours total. Waiting to speak with surgeon on results....
Prayers up for good news for Nikki, for you, and your loved ones..Will keep checking in for updates.
PRAISE GOD IT’S DONE.
Thanks for the update.
Prayers continuing.
Waiting for word from the surgeon.
God’s best to all concerned.
WELLLLLL
Gonna go let go of praying for a nap.
I trust a good report will come in due time.
Prayers for treasured times with all your family members.
PRAISE GOD FOR GOOD MEDICAL PERSONNEL etc.
Prayers up!
Nikki has been in my thoughts and prayers last night and all day today. Keeping your family in prayer.
PRAISE GOD!
AM SO BLESSED TO READ THAT!
YEA! Love it.
In the mouths/fingers? of 2 or 3?
Yea.
Prayers for you and your family, BTW.
Ongoing prayers for Nikki . . .
and prayers for Liberty Rocks, Twinkie and Oprahstheantichrist . . . health and family needs . . .
Joya’s thyroid has a more serious concern than mine but both could use continued prayer.
WELLLLLL
Gonna go let go of praying for a nap.
I trust a good report will come in due time.
Prayers for treasured times with all your family members.
PRAISE GOD FOR GOOD MEDICAL PERSONNEL etc.
Prayers to Nikki and you for calm, patience and great results.
Lord let your healing mercy be on this beloved wife and mother. All authority in heaven and earth belongs to you. May Nikki live and thrive to glorify your name and serve you all the rest of her life.
Prayers continue....
Prayers sent to Mary Queen of Angels and Her Angels+
Her tumor is almost identical to my sisters.
The 24th of this months will be her 1st yr anniversary.
Still praying.
PRAISE THE LORD, we have wonderful news to report!!
After 10 hours of surgery, (it was an hour longer than I thought), the surgeon told us they were able to remove 95% of Nikki’s tumor. Much more than they’d hoped! He walked into the family waiting room, pointed right at our oldest girl and exclaimed with a smile, “I’ve been hearing about u all day long!”
He told us that Nikki was unbelievably strong during this grueling surgery. A true warrior. The prayers on this thread helped her, we know this. God bless you, and I hope that enough people watch this thread for updates so they hear this glorius news as well!
I stayed with Nikki last nite in the ICU, and we prayed and gave thanks to God. She is in a good deal of pain and discomfort now, but that is to be expected.
I should note that this is the first step, and it exceeded or expectations. Pathology will come in on Monday, but brain tumors always come back unfortunately. Our dr told us that the goal of survey is to push back the recurrence possibly a decade
But for now, hallelujah! :)
Praise God..Prayers continue for Nikki’s pain relief and recovery..She is a very brave lady..and may God bless you all.
Update on Nikki
Thanks for the great news.
Prayers continuing here for Nikki, yourself, your family and the medical caregivers.
Oh WOW! God bless Dr. Parney and that whole medical team! Thanks to the Lord who led you to him! Prayers will continue for Nikki as she recovers, and please give her a (((((gentle hug))))) FRom all of us.
Ping to wonderful update on 133 :)
Thanks for your prayers!
Ping to wonderful update on 133 :)
Thanks for your prayers!
Update on Nikki
Thank you Meg! I was wondering and lost track of the thread.
Thank you Meg! I was wondering and lost track of the thread.
A decade is a lifetime.
Today is the first day of the rest of her life.
Glad to hear such good news.
t.
Hallelujah!! Wonderful news!!!! GLORY to GOD and thanksgiving for his kind favor! Sweet Jesus, your MERCY is upon us! Thank you! +++
I do that, too..You’re welcome.
Spectacular ... Glory to God!
Such wonderful news .. Nikki’s been in my
prayers. What an incredibly arduous surgery
and skilled medical team .. God bless those
whose hands and skill defy our understanding
with their amazing deftness is such a delicate
area. They are truly gifted.
God continue to abide with you and grant you all
strength, faith, patience necessary and with solid
healing for Nikki. Unbelievable, that she was ‘awake’
and talking the whole time.
Thanks for the Good News update..Kept checking last night, and was getting a little anxious..What a relief to know she is doing well..
Will keep the prayers for her recovery going!
Wow!! What great news!!!!
Thank you Lord!!
What a wonderful update! Thank you Heavenly Father, for strength in the face of fear, and blessings without number!!
May God bless and keep you all.
Tatt
Thank you for the update...Praise God.
Will keep praying.... will she need Chemo?
Just got back in town and looked up this thread to get an update on Nikki. Wonderful news! Tell her your FReeper friends send love and prayers for full recovery.
Prayers up for brain surgery success! Glory to God for all good things!
Praise the Lord for He is good.
Prayers for her to continue to heal and improve...and for all
of you to have strength to help her do this!
So far they do not think chemo will be part of her treatment. Possibly radiation however, but only after about three months I believe. Well, I’d have to think a lot hangs on what the pathology report shows on Monday...
Nikki is currently having minor brain swelling, which the doctor said is 100% normal from days 2-4 postsurgery. It causes her to miss a word or two occasionally, which frustrated her today, but we know it is temporary.
We are all so very thankful and in awe of how prayers have guided us on this journey. We met another man today with a grade 4 tumor (aggressive, fast growing/malignant) who had to wait several weeks to get an appointment at the Mayo Clinic. Somehow we were able to get an appointment the very same day I first called!
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