Many of my readers have been praying for my son Caelan. Almost two years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer as an eight month old. He is now two and a half.
We went to Children's Hospital in Birmingham yesterday for Caelan's 3 month scans. He has been out of treatment for cancer since last April and all of the scans have gone well - up until yesterday. The oncologist came in and told us that they found an enlarged lymph node behind his heart. If he had not had a history of cancer they would just watch it and it still might just be an infection, but they are very concerned about the enlargement. The doctors have scheduled a futher test for next week and a biopsy. The biopsy will be quite invasive as they have to go in through the side of his chest to get to the lymph node. Please pray that they are able to go straight to it, because if there are any problems with a small incision and scope, then they will have to open him up right then.
We had thought things were going well, our little boy was growing, and we were basically out of the woods. Yesterday, all that came crashing down. During Caelan's treatment we were told that if this type of cancer ever came back, he would not have a very good chance of making it. Our oncologist confirmed that yesterday. We are fervently praying that this is just an infection, but the doctors seem to think otherwise - or, at least they are not very confident that this is anything other than another expression of the cancer. The doctors are so confident that they are pushing for a very risky surgery to get at this. We have a lot of decisions to make - we desperately need God's guidance, wisdom, comfort, and healing power.
Erika and I are devastated. My emotions feel like they are spinning around in a washing machine. All we can do is cry out to God and ask Him to have mercy. If there was ever a case where we needed a miracle, this is it.
Caelan is such a beautiful boy. I am grieving like I never have in my life.
Brother Alan,
My family and our church is praying for you, Erica, Caelen, and the rest of your family.
1 Corinthians 4:1-9 4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessings,
Tim
Posted by: Tim Rogers | February 22, 2008 at 05:35 AM
Words are not enough to calm your hearts, but they are what we have. More important: we pray.
Father, we place Caelan in your loving and gracious hands. I hurt with Alan and Erika. Use this struggle to draw them closer to you and to each other. Give them strength they will need to be support for their beloved son.
Amen
Posted by: Benjamin Potter | February 22, 2008 at 06:40 AM
Alan & Erika,
Please know that we are praying for a miracle.
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" Hebrews 4:16
Posted by: Sonya Duren | February 22, 2008 at 06:54 AM
I, too, am praying for a miracle on behalf of your son. I cannot imagine a harder place to be than where you are right now. May God walk through this with you, and overshadow you with His grace, mercy and lovingkindness.
Posted by: Justin Long | February 22, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Father,
In the strong and mighty name of Jesus, I lift up this little one of yours, Caelan. You know him Father, everything about him, every wimper, every smile. You know his Mommy and Daddy; every wimper and every smile. I pray that you give supernatural peace and power to these parents. Father I pray that your healing hand touch this little son of Alan's and heal him for your glory. In Jesus name. Amen
- Much love, thoughts and prayers brother...
Darren Casper
Posted by: Darren | February 22, 2008 at 07:59 AM
We stood with you guys in prayer back in the beginning, and will continue to stand with you now.
Here in Ecuador when one of the brethren are going through tough spells, one of the Scriptures often shared with them is "When you pass throught the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. FOR I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, YOUR SAVIOR." (Is.43) May you rest upon this promise.
Posted by: Guy Muse | February 22, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Alan,
I've been praying daily for you guys since he first went in. I will pray more fervently.
Posted by: Kevin Bussey | February 22, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Alan and Erika, May God's grace be so sufficient in this hour of your heartache and uncertainty that you will sense His power and know His presence will guide the hands of these doctors with perfect precision. May the angels of the Lord so surround Caelan that he will be in perfect peace during the whole procedure. May your fears and anxiety be swallowed up in God's sovereign love and steadfast goodness. "You drew near on the day I called to You; You said, Fear not." Lamentations 3:57 selahV
Posted by: selahV | February 22, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Alan,
May you rest on the rock of your salvation, Jesus, and may the peace, comfort and love of the Savior fall on you and your family. We will keep you guys in prayer...
Posted by: David Phillips | February 22, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Alan,
I'm so very sorry to hear this news. "May grace and peace be multiplied to you all." Praying...
Posted by: Steve Walker | February 22, 2008 at 09:07 AM
I am unable to imagine that kind of pain. God knows. He WILL be faithful to you and your family. I know you know it. Sometimes it's good to repeatedly hear it. I am interceding for Caelen to be healed. I am interceding for you and Erika to be able to walk beside God the Father, trusting Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Posted by: Alan Stoddard | February 22, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Hi Alan & Erika,
I didn't want to call, but I want you to know we are praying. We love you and your family very much. As Chris and I are walking this road with his health, we have continually gone back to words of encouragement you and Erika have spoken in our lives.
I was reminded yesterday of the great lengths God goes through in the Bible to tell us over and over that He is the God of the impossible. Praying that the healing Christ purchased on the cross would manifest itself in precious Caelan’s body. We love you guys.
Natalie
Psalm 118
Posted by: Natalie | February 22, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Praying that you both would know the depth of His love for you and especially for Caelen.
Posted by: RussR. | February 22, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Bro -
Please know that my prayers and the prayers of Frist Baptist Church of Coffee Springs, AL will be with you all. We know God can and does answer prayer, and can heal this side of heaven. God bless little Caelen and all of you!
Posted by: Doug Green | February 22, 2008 at 10:20 AM
We are praying here at Westmont.
cb
Posted by: cb scott | February 22, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Alan,
The only words I can offer are those you gave me last Sunday, "Give your hurt/pain to the Lord". May the God of all peace comfort you in this time. I'm also sure you know our church will bend over backwards to lift up and walk beside your family during this time.
Posted by: Rob Slagle | February 22, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I saw the e-mail on my Blackberry coming home yesterday. I was stunned - I'm hoping and praying with you guys... We love you guys!
Posted by: Chris McCorkle | February 22, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I am praying for you Alan.
James 5:13-18, brother.
Posted by: Bryan Riley | February 22, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Alan:
I will pray for Caelen, Erika and you. May the Lord comfort you through this trial.
-tom
Posted by: tom ascol | February 22, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Alan & Erika,
We are praying for you and Caelan and your family. I know words are insufficient...I pray that the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard your hearts as you walk through this storm. I pray that Caelan will be healed. I pray that in all things Christ is exalted.
By Grace Alone.
Posted by: Scott A Gordon | February 22, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Caelan,
We are praying for you and your family.
Chadwick Ivester & Family
Posted by: chadwick | February 22, 2008 at 01:49 PM
We will pray and take this to those in our body who pray. I can only imagine the prayer warriors calling out Caelans name to our Father. Alyce
Posted by: Alyce Lee | February 22, 2008 at 03:34 PM
May God bless you and hold you close during this trying time.
Posted by: R. L. Vaughn | February 22, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Our prayers are with you all.
Posted by: Mike Ruffin | February 22, 2008 at 05:20 PM
Alan, Erika, & Caelan -
Our hearts are broken for you. Know that you are being lifted up from Southeastern Louisiana.
Psalm 55:22
The Smith Family
Joe, Tracey, Madison, Cal, and Jenna
Posted by: Joe David Smith | February 22, 2008 at 06:12 PM