Caelan Came Through Surgery Fine
I am happy to report that Caelan is doing fine! He came through surgery well on Friday, and although he has experienced quite a bit of pain, he is doing really well. We should be heading home on Wednesday (tomorrow). God has truly answered all of our prayers concerning this procedure to remove the tumor and we are so grateful!!! We praise Him for His abundant goodness and continue to believe that He will carry us through this. They got all of the tumor and the correct margin around it. It was not attached to any organs, and although they had to take the cartiledge from his rib cage and muscle, they did not have to take part of his ribs. The doctors are very pleased with his progress and feel real good about everything so far!
Where do we go from here? They are sending samples from the tumor to Emory University, Ohio State, and some guy named Fred. No kidding. Our surgeon said that they were sending it to Fred somebody (she couldn't remember his last name, but he is supposed to be the foremost expert for this type of tumor). We pictured a guy named Fred working in his garage on tumors and lawnmowers. He's probably a jack of all trades who can also do roofing and a little plumbing on the side as well! Well, we had a good laugh over that.
We'll hear back on the type of tumor in the next week or so. Caelan's recovery should be steady once we arrive home. There is still a chance that the tumor could be benign, but, once again, the doctors think it is cancerous. Please pray for a conclusive result from the testing so that we can know exactly how to proceed. Folks who have been through this say that the surgery is the worst part, so we are glad to have that behind us.
We are very tired right now, but we so appreciate all of your prayers and the help you have given us. We seriously could not have done this without you. This is the first time I've been able to get to the internet, so obviously posts are few and far between. If you read this and others have not heard how Caelan is doing, please send the news on. I want to thank all of those who came to visit us from our church and for our friends - you are incredible. I'd start to list you all, but you know who you are and I thank you so much. Thank you to those who have watched our children, especially Erika's family, Melanie and Gary!
I also want to especially thank all of my friends from my hometown who made a special trip to Birmingham to be with us (Amos & Lindsey, Trey & Crystal, Dave, and Russ). You guys are brothers and I praise God for you. You have no idea how much you mean to me and how much you have meant to me throughout my life. Thank you.
I'll post again when we get home and settled down. We are praying for good results from the tests, but our hope is in the Lord and not in test results. This has been a difficult road to walk, but we are so grateful that we do not have to walk it alone. Please pray for us to have strength, for Caelan's continued healing, for our other children, and that through all of this, God would be praised and receive glory. He is good.
It was so good to see you & your sweet little boy yesterday ~ watching him smile, play peek-a-boo and clap brought great joy to our hearts. Truly God is so good and we praise Him with you! Praying that Jehovah Raphe will continue to heal sweet Caelan and that the God of perfect rest will give you both some sleep!
Posted by: Brian & Candyce DeKruyff | May 02, 2006 at 01:36 PM
I'm glad to hear that your son is doing well. Praise God!
Posted by: Kevin | May 02, 2006 at 05:04 PM
Praise God! He is good. I am still praying...
Posted by: art rogers | May 02, 2006 at 11:50 PM
I am so glad to hear of Caelan's progress and of your good spirit. I remember your fondness of Hebrews and am reminded of chapter 11 through this trial you are facing, keep the faith. You might remember my fondness for Ephesians so I pray Eph 3:14-21 for your family and continue to pray daily for the healing of Caelan. We love and miss you all.
Posted by: Keith Lucas and Family | May 03, 2006 at 10:03 AM
That's great news, Alan. Praise God!!!
Posted by: Jamie Wootten | May 03, 2006 at 03:22 PM
Great news. Still praying!
Posted by: Kevin Bussey | May 03, 2006 at 04:32 PM
I thank our wonderful Lord and Savior for His Amazing Grace! Caelan looks adorable. Our prayers are with you all still. Having had a sick sister when I was very young, I know first hand how difficult this has been on the rest of the family. Al, your Mom came by with home made cookies late this afternoon for Amos and Lindsay. She is singing God's Praises, too. We love you and if there is anything at all that we can do for you, please call. Think of us, too, because we'll be putting our "little boy" on a plane Saturday morning, heading back to Iraq to finish out his second tour over there. love, Mrs. Ginger and Mr. Buddy
Posted by: Ginger Bennett | May 03, 2006 at 09:14 PM
Good to hear, bro. I'm praying too, even for Fred. =)
Posted by: Joe Kennedy | May 04, 2006 at 01:58 AM
Praising Him and continuing to pray
Rebecca Helms and the Pintlala Baptist Student Ministry
Posted by: Rebecca Helms | May 04, 2006 at 10:35 AM
Praying and Praising the Lord for your sweet little boy and for the entire family. Our prayer ministry of many ( we are on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area-- Central Peninsula Chruch) are praying for you all and the Lord's Abundant strength and love to Endure. Thankyou for sharing your story with us-- To God be the GLory.
Posted by: Paula Osorio | May 04, 2006 at 10:26 PM