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.
Consider it done, my friend.
Prayers up!
Our Heavenly Father send your healing love. Bless, strengthen and protect this family in a time of trouble.
AMEN
Praying for Nikki and your whole family...
Will be happy to keep praying for you all. May God heal your Nikki and make her whole, and may He draw you all into His arms and be your divine strength and comfort.
Keep praying and praising...you are in the best Hands of all!
I’ll be praying for her and your family. I love your testimony!
I’ll be praying for her and your family. I love your testimony!
Prayers up from this house for you and Nikki. Will be thinking of you and your family and will pray that all goes well. It sounds as though you made the right decision and have found the right doctor.
Prayers for you, Nikki and your children.
You are in a great hospital. But more than that - you are in God’s care.
He will bless you.
Prayer Request
Mayo is an awesome place. Because of them, I’m here today...
Prayers up...what a miraculous blessing that she is now in the care of this Mayo Clinic physician. May our God heal and protect Nikki, guide her doctors through out her surgery and hold you all in the palm of His hand.
With tears in my eyes,,, and boundless hope in my heart,,, I send my prayers!
Lifting you and your family in prayer. Please keep us updated, because we care.
Prayers lifted
My the Lord’s hands be one with the surgeons.
Prayers have been, and will continue to be, sent up for you and your family, FRiend.
Ping the prayers.
Absolutely, Nikki will be in my prayers all day (EIGHT hours, my goodness!).
Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend Nikki for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy. Give her comfort and sure confidence in You, give her the blessing of Your healing power and keep her in perpetual peace and safety. Be with her family and give them the comfort and peace of knowing that she is in Your loving care; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen
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