After months of very bad headaches that kept getting more and more frequent, we went the the doctor who scheduled Joanna for a CAT scan on Sept 9 to rule out anything in her head. On Sept 11 we found out that Joanna had a brain tumor the size of an orange in the left side of head. This is the part of the brain that controls language and motor function on the right side of the body. That afternoon we checked into the hospital in Halifax. Eight days later, Sept 19, it took the surgeons almost 8 hours to get about 90% of it out. They told us they go slow and don't look at the clock:) The distinction between tumor and brain was not well defined, and the tumor had grown into some of the surrounding brain which is why they couldn't get it all. Fortunately their was no brain function within the tumor, that would have been much worse. She came through surgery very well, with no memory loss, and only slight weakness on the right side. She was awake for most of the surgery so the surgeons could check brain function well they worked. They said she did very well answering questions during and after surgery. The initial result from pathology showed a less aggressive kind of tumor, however, the final results will take a few weeks to come in, so we cannot say for sure that it is all benign.Since the beginning we have been encouraged and comforted with the knowledge that hundreds of people are praying for us all over the world. Our loving heavenly Father was well aware of Joanna's tumor, and we saw His hand of control on the whole thing. God used this in our lives to help us realize that He holds our lives in His hands, and He has us here for His purpose! We still don't know what tomorrow will bring, but we trust God for today! A big thank you to all of you who prayed, emailed, called, visited, and sent food & gifts it was a big encouragement to us! Continue to pray for Joanna's recovery from the surgery, and pray that the tumor was benign and requires no further treatment.
In His Care
Curtis, Joanna, Natalie, Reuben and Kaylie
10 comments:
I will continue to pray for you guys! So glad to hear that you are home, Joanna!
Sure love & miss you guy's. NTM Indonesia is all praying for a quit recovery (sembuh cepat-cepat)for Joanna and that the tumor is benign.
Let's talk again soon!
Love ya,
-Kane's
Great news! We love you guys.
The Woodies
I have been praying for you guys and just heard the most recent diagnosis. I can't imagine what you are going through. I am lifting your family up to God and will continue to do so as I think of you through out the day.
Kristy
Curtis, its been a LONG time. I have heard, even been forwarded some of your emails lately. Know that I am praying for Johanna, your family and the road head. May God's hand be ever visible to you both.
We want you to know our family is praying for you. And that we have forward this prayer request to our supporting churches and NTM Aviation. We want to pray for your family!
Love you!
Please know that many are praying earnestly for you here in Thailand.
Lovingly,
Bob & Noby Kennell
OUr daughter Karrie (and family) work with your brother in Siar.
In 1992, one of our twin boys was diagnosed after months of misdiagnosis with medulla blastoma; at the doctor's recommendation we interrupted our teaching assignment in China to return to the US on Good Friday. The US neurosurgeon decided it was ependymoma, and operated on Monday. Philip received radiation, and a few months later God provided me a job with health benefits that accepted pre-existing conditions (which included my wife's pregnancy). A social worker at UM Hospital signed us up for Michigan Children's Special Health, which we thought we did not need until we discovered that our "Christian" health insurance company was fraudulent; the principals eventually got long prison sentences. God gave us two more years with Philip, during which we attended a Franklin Graham crusade (we had given Philip his middle name after Franklin's father, Billy), after which Philip and his brother made clear decisions for Christ. The ependymoma eventually metasticized. I'm sorry I can't offer a happy ending in this-worldly terms: Philip left us and his earthly tent on his fifth birthday. It was an honor, a privelege, and a joy to be with him those two "extra" years.
Hey Curtis and Joanna & family,
My wife and I are praying for you. My folks have recently started attending CCBC and have informed us of your circumstance. We are currently in Thunder Bay ON serving at Fort William Baptist Church. We are encouraged to see you leaning on God and His promises. You are in our church families prayers also.
Keep the faith in and through Christ alone.
Pete & Alicia Lindeman
HI.Remember that a LOT of people are praying for you and your family!! Hang in there!! Isn't it great that God is always, 100% GOOD?! He knows what He is doing, don't lose heart.
On your team,
Shawn and Jenn DeAtley
www.shawnandjenn.wordpress.com
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