Sorry it has taken so long for an update, Mike and I are really in a state of shock and did not want to write and face reality. Reality is that the tumor is cancerous. Aghhh.... I hate that C word. This is something that a parent should never have to face, especially when we are talking about a baby that is not even 1 year old. The surgery went really well, they were not able to get all of it, but did get most of it. It was attached to the aorta and could not cut it from there because he would have bled to much. The tumor was the size of a ping pong ball which is pretty big for a little boy. He did have to get some blood when he was in surgery because he lost more than they wanted him too. The oncologist was not in the hospital today so we don't know a lot of answers because she has to answer our questions about the cancer and what to do from here. She will be in tomorrow and I will update when I know. If anyone has questions feel free to ask because maybe its something we haven't thought about but should. When we first saw Carter after surgery it was a little more than we could handle. We took pictures because we thought if we had to see it, all of you should too. Isn't that nice of us!
We are very overwhelmed because all of this has happened in the last 5 days. Our emotions are so crazy right now we don't even know what to think.
Carter has already gotten his breathing tube out, and looks much better. He is doing very well breathing on his own and will probably get out of PICU in the morning.
Mike and I are staying in a parent room here at the hospital tonight.
Please pray for a good night rest for all of us, a good report from the oncologist, and quick healing from the surgery.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and encouraging comments, please don't stop!!
40 comments:
Praying for you sweet boy....
Alyssa (www.caringbridge.org/ca/bennettboys) my godchildren
Just want you to know that you all have been in our thoughts and our prayers. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. We will keep praying. We love you guys!
Averys
Keeping you in our prayers and shedding a few tears for you, too. Rachel prayed for Baby Carter tonight that God will make him all better. :-)
Charlotte
Gina & Family
Just lay everything at the foot of the Cross and God will take it from there. God is so powerful now and always just lean upon him right now. My heart is just acheing for you all right now and my Prayers are but one of many that is being said tonight and always for Carter & his loving Family
God Bless
Sherry M
FBC of Bolivar
Mike and Gina, just stopping by before I go to bed to let you know your family is again being lifted up in prayer by so many, many people all over the world. This latest news did not surprise your Heavenly Father. He is still in control and I know that you know that. Although I do not know how you feel or what you're going through, I know the One who does. Thanks for being open and honest and real here. It helps us to know how to pray. Rest in Him and keep your eyes toward Him.
Hopwoods
May God grant you rest tonight.
May He keep your family in the palm of His mighty hand.
Amen.
Just checking in with ya'll. Oh, my goodness! What you guys have already gone through.
Thank you SO much for keeping us updated so we can know what to be praying for.
May God carry you through these tough times as we read in the FOOTPRINTS poem. May God comfort you and give you rest tonight.
Love ya'll,
Donna
Gina, my heart just aches for you all. I pray that God's hand is visable and you are able to grab on so He can carry you through this storm. Know that you are constantly on our minds and we are praying for Carter and your family throughout the day.
Wrapped in love,
Kate Schmickle and fam
I don't even know what to say....my heart is hurting for you. We love you guys... ~Traci
Hold on to each other and to God's hand as he reaches down to cradle you. We love you all so much. If there is anything that I can do for you here at home, let me know...you know where to reach me. Love Rita
Gina,
I just got your blog today and had to see how Carter's surgery went...I am so sorry to hear the tumor is cancer. I am praying for wisdom and understanding as you and Mike try to make sense of all this.
Know that He is in control and will not give you more than you can handle. I pray for quick healing for Carter, and I am grateful they discovered this tumor early.
Peace be with each of you tonight.
Laura D.
Mike and Gina,
I'm reading through tears tonight about all your brave baby has been through. Our thoughts and prayers and love and "virtual hugs" are with you tonight. I know this boy is a fighter and I know his parents are strong. May you feel Jesus' arms holding you and sweet Carter now...as it says in Psalms 37:24 " though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand." Please let us know if there is anything you need or anything we can do to help.
We love you,
Lori and Eric
praying...praying...praying...
Dear Gina and Mike, We continue to pray, wait, and watch for you. We pray that you will be able to lay your head down and sleep as well as Little Carter. Thank you for the picture of precious Carter, tubes and all. Please know the LORD has not forgotten you in facts He says in Isaiah 49:16 I have inscribed you on the palms of MY hands. You are greatly loved and encompassed in prayer. Love Connie and Bro Gary
oh oh oh.
that picture tugs on my heart so badly.
i'll be praying for him, today, tomorrow, and on...and will inform the family so they can too.
i love you guys so dearly.
Hi Gina
I am so sorry you find yourselves on this journey - you have a beautiful boy,Carter is gorgeous! My name is Samm, and we are from South Africa. I am mom to Deqlan who was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma 25 May 2007, at the age of 8 months. I would be more then willing to answer questions, offer advise , and above all pray for Carter. You can follow our story at www.deqlanhiggins.blogspot.com
I am so happy you have The Lord in your lives, without Him we couldnt be on this journey. You are also welcome to email me at samt.etravel@galileosa.co.za and I shal try my very best to help with questions - its a very frightening time and I found comfort in finding other families in the same boat who understood what we where going through.
I will pray for great results from the biopsy of the tumor - that determines further treatment etc.
I wont overload you with information or details on Deqlans journey as you have so much going through your minds right now - but what i can tell you is that Deqlan has no evidence of disease as of 16 Jan 2008 and we are on our knees saying thank you to Our Lord - put all your faith and trust in HIM! Lean not on your own understanding, but on His and He will make your paths straight
Would love to help you where ever i can
God Bless, hugs and hope
Samm mom to Deqlan stage 4 dx 25 /05/08 ned 16/01/08
www.deqlanhiggins.blogspot.com
p.s - i have added you onto our blog page and have requested prayers for Carter as I do for all the nb warriors we have come to know and love
Our hearts are broken for you. We know God is in control. We're believing God will show us a miracle here. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for your honesty. We will pray for you. My daughter has a friend whose little nephew just went through the same thing one year ago. I will have her share inf. with you. He is now doing well. His tumor was in his stomach.We love you guys so much and are praying for you. Larry and Joy
Gina, I am right here in this valley with you. I am mourning for you. Out of the ashes rises the phoenix. You have one tough little God warrior for a son. God has you. Give it all up, let it be nailed to the cross. Lean back into His arms. They are there. He promised us that. Trust Him. I learened that at the last Bible Study. I realized I never really trusted Jesus with my life. Now I have. God's timing is perfect.
Mike and Gina,
I hate the C word too but God has a plan. I pray for patience as the plan unfolds. I went to bed with prayers for a restful night for you and Carter. I pray for a rested mind for you as you listen to doctors today.
Please tell Evan that Jason and Jahalah say hi. Tell Carter that too. We will miss seeing both of them tonight at church.
Myers family
We are praying for you and your boys.
Then McCullahs
Mike and Gina,
Annie and I are praying for God's hand to help Carter and your family through this.
Mr. Randy and Annie
Mike And Gina, We are worried with you. Not sure what to ask. Stay strong. We know from experience, this is your child, not the hospitals or medical pros. You make the decisions that are best for Carter. Our prayers, hearts, thoughts, and wishes are with you all. Love Jen, Matt, and Family
Whew! Indeed a roller coaster! Thank you for posting and letting us know how we need to pray. You are all in our constant prayers for healing, rest, strength, and wisdom. We love you guys! I pray an Isaiah 40:28-31 day for you!
The Franciscos
Praying for you as parents, and for sweet little Carter! There are a ton of people praying for you! ~Cheri Jones
WOW! Just don't know what to say. Where is the sweet little guy? Hurry him home so we can hug him, his parents, and Evan. Maybe Evan can sing our Team Kid (help him get his phone ready)- Jeremiah 33:3, Jeremiah 33:3. Also Psalm 23 the shepherd is leading.
We are here just waiting to be told what at all we might be able to do that will maake things easier. Martha & Clark, Susie & family, and Smasheys
Much, MUCH, Prayer.
Mike and Gina - My prayers are with you and your family for strength and God's peace and healing.
Amy Donathan
Mike and Gina-
You and Carter are in our thoughts and prayers. We are praying for healing for your sweet boy, wisdom for the doctors, and strength for you and your family.
Jason and Niki Smith(Larry and Joy's son and daughter-in-law)
I will pray for peace and strength for you both as you watch over your little boy. Sandy Schrader
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Do you need to bank blood for Carter? If so, I'm A- and willing.
JoDee
Carter, Mike and Gina,
My heart hurts for you guys as I have no idea what you are going through. But I do no we serve a God who still performs miracles and my wife is living proof. I found out about Carter Friday from Larry Smith as we were moving and we prayed immediately. You are in my prayers daily and if you need anything let me know. I love you guys and God bless.
Geoff Burrows
You and Carter are in our prayers. May God send you encouraging news today as you meet with the oncologist.
John & Deb Jones
Mike and Gina,
Know that you are in our prayers. God is a God of refuge and peace. May He grant you the peace that surpasses all understanding. God cradles little Carter in His hand each moment of every day. May God bless you!
Fred and Stacy Romaine
PS Do you have an address that we can mail stuff to in St. Louis?
Mike and Gina,
I just heard of your son's stay in the hospital today. I am so sorry to hear the news from the surgery yesterday. You all will be in my prayers. I pray that you can get rest, be able to hear the doctors as needed, and to make correct decisions.
Keeping all of you in my prayers.
Hi Guys,
Well....as others have said, you all are in our thoughts and prayers!!! Again, because of our great God, I fully believe that it will be ok! I don't know what you are going through, because I haven't been there myself, but I do know our God who is cradling all of you in His great big hands!! Keep on keeping strong and just know that we are all praying and hoping for the best news possible when you see the Dr. today. We love you, Roy & Kathy
Mike & Gina, We will be going before the throne for you, too.
Our God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask or imagine!
Chuck & Jamie Martin
Gina and Mike,
Psalm 91 is helpful. If you have a bible handy read it over and over. If you don't let me know and I'll send it in the blog.
I love you guys. Praying God will deliver you all from this trying time.
Terri Lipe
Coming over from Sarah Smith's Caringbridge site - we were asked to pray for Carter - Prayers are coming from everywhere for your gorgeous boy - God will hear us, have no fear - the Heavens are being stormed on behalf of Carter.
Mary Hopwood let us know about Carter. Know we are praying for you and him. I can't even imagine the emotions you must be going through in this time. We are praying Peace for you and your family and COMPLETE healing for your little Carter.
This passage is from Isaiah 43. Praise the Lord we serve this same God--the God of Israel!!
1 But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are MINE.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD, your God,the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,Cush [a] and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
Love from Texas, Adam and Daneta Sims
Post a Comment