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.
More prayers up and on way.
t.
Prayers for your wife, yourself, and family.
Prayers for your lovely wife. My family will also pray for you and your children. I can only imagine that this is an extremely stressful and troubling time for you. Please keep us updated and best wishes.
The Lord Says he hears our prayers!
So thank you Father for loving us so much that YOU gave your SON that we may have an open real relationship with you. Now we lift up one of YOUR children to you, Nikki, and her family.
Touch her head, heal her and give strength to her loved ones.
Guide the surgeons hands help him see what needs to be done and done safely.
Give strength to Nikki’s family as they wait.
All that you may be glorified, in Jesus Christ’s Name...
Amen
Prayers have been sent for Nikki, her family, and her doctors.
You can count on my Prayers!
Praying.
I will update tomorrow as soon as I can, when we’ve learned the outcome... is there an efficient way to do this? (update everyone, as opposed to replying to an individual? Sorry, not an exPert poster).
Bless you!!
Oh, mills, what a wonderful writing. Thank you ever so much for keeping us informed. YOU are the God-send to us, reminding us of the Glory of God in lives.
Already He works with you as events have unfolded.
May it please the Lord God Almighty to restore your dear wife Nikki quickly, strengthen you and comfort you. To HIS endless glory, we bless you, mills and Nikki, and place you at the foot of the Cross, under that mighty Shadow of His wings until this dark cloud passes.
Love to you both, and all of our prayers will keep you before our Lord.
NOWHERE IS BETTER THAN MAYO-ROCHESTER! We pray, Lord, over the MAYO-Rochester and lift up the gifts and talents of these dedicated teams of research & development, their surgical and diagnostic teams, their staff of nurses and technicians and all those who interact with the patients there who deliver premier service to their fellow man.
God be with each of us as we pray for mills and nikki through these hours and the surgery tomorrow.
Thanks be to God.
Prayers for your precious wife,kids, and the doctor. God wants Nikki well! Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. He will see you through.
Prayers up, FRiend.
I pray for the success of the surgical procedure, and for courage for you and your wife.
This has to be a very scary time, and my heart goes out to you.
Prayers said.
I know a little of what you are going through. My husband died of cancer 4 years ago, and I have a terminal lung disease. I know without a shadow of a doubt that as a Christian, God will not put you through more than you can handle. Whatever the outcome, remember He is in control and His plans for you all are for good and not evil.
Prayer warriors!!! Please read, PLEASE pray for Nikki, her dear husband and their medical team.
Thank you!
Prayers up for you both and for the medical team.
Blessings!
Prayers for Nikki and for your family.
Prayers for Nikki, Dr. Parney, you and your family!
prayers from our family.
Prayers for you, your wife, your children and your medical team.
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