Uplifting article about John(Updated May 1)

[Brenle]

Just found this post. Will join the prayer chain. God bless.

Me too !!!

Just found this thread too; joining in to pray for John and his family.

Thank you all for your commitment to pray for John. When you think of all the pain and suffering he's endured, with no promise for a healthy ending, it just breaks your heart, doesn't it? And yet when you see his parents, they never complain - they just thank you for praying and ask you to continue.

 

[Brenle]

Here is the most recent update regarding John's health & treatment. Many thanks, once again, to all who are taking the time to read this and will pray for John's health.


John had a cranial MRI on Sunday, June 20th. The images showed some areas of improvement, specifically the optic nerve, which is great news. There were some increased enhancements, though, in the area of John’s brain that controls his balance and gross motor skills. This is why John is having trouble with his balance and gait. These areas are deep in his brain and very difficult to treat with chemotherapy.

John’s oncologist thinks that the five-drug treatment that he started yesterday, Wednesday, June 23, may delay the progression of disease, but not cure it. We are once again revisiting additional cranial radiation. Radiation may not be an option, though, because receiving more may cause John to exceed the acceptable and safe amount of radiation. We will be exploring Mass General to see if there is a different type of radiation that John can safely receive.


With all that is happening, John remains focused and determined to reclaim his good health. He continues to fight through his physical pain and do his physical therapy exercises throughout the day. He has been going outside almost every day to walk. He tires easily and his ankles and knees swell, yet each day he is determined to walk a little further than he did the previous day. Also, he has been doing homework for his Logic class, in preparation to take the final exam in July. (John missed the final exam in this class because he had seizures in May.)


Please continue to carry John in your prayers, especially between 7:00-8:00pm. We know that prayer changes things; please help us to ask God for a miracle. Our petition is that the five drugs will penetrate John’s brain and eradicate all leukemia cells, allowing John to fully recover. We are so grateful to Jesus. He continues to carry John in His healing hands and He continues to place people in our lives whose love and support sustain us through this difficult journey.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Continued prayers for John.

 

[saradela]

Praying for John........

 

[es45]

Thanks for the update; will continue to keep John and his family in my prayers.

 

[Brenle]

Praying for John........

Thank you for reading this post and offering your prayers for John.

 

[Brenle]

Continued prayers for John.

Hoping your health is good and you are still cancer-free. Thanks for caring.

Thanks for the update; will continue to keep John and his family in my prayers.

The more prayers, the better. Thank you for your continued support of John & family.

 

[Mskanga]

This hits too close to home for me....my friend's daughter was diagnosed with leukemia just three weeks after losing her son to a genetic rare disease. My daughter was also diagnosed with bone cancer 1.5 years later so I know all too well the road.....devastating is an understatement.

My prayers go out to John but also to his family , my heart is with them for sure.

 

[Kathy C]

Prayers for John and his family. Please keep us posted.

 

[snoopybabe]

Praying for John and his family

 

[Brenle]

This hits too close to home for me....my friend's daughter was diagnosed with leukemia just three weeks after losing her son to a genetic rare disease. My daughter was also diagnosed with bone cancer 1.5 years later so I know all too well the road.....devastating is an understatement.

My prayers go out to John but also to his family , my heart is with them for sure.

Thank you for your prayers.
I'm sorry to hear your story. Too many families in this country are dealing with this terrible illness and I'm often at a loss for words. How is your daughter?

 

[Brenle]

Praying for John and his family

Thank you, snoopybabe!

Prayers for John and his family. Please keep us posted.

Kathy, thank you as well. I don't have an update about his condition, but I will share something with you all.

Some of John's closest friends got together and held a whiffle ball tournament with all donations going to John, for John. They know he's unable to work and couldn't do what a typical college boy is doing during summer break but they wanted him to be free to do it, if he can, without worrying about the financial part of it. The tournament was a huge success, having raised almost $3,000. Imagine that?

John is blessed with caring, supportive family and friends and community as well. And he's also blessed with people on this board that offer prayers to someone they've never met.

 

[Mskanga]

Thank you for your prayers.
I'm sorry to hear your story. Too many families in this country are dealing with this terrible illness and I'm often at a loss for words. How is your daughter?

My daughter is doing very well , she has been 28 months out of chemo and was able to keep her leg with a knee replacement , she just got her drivers license a couple months ago and she is living life like she should. Thank you for asking.
I really feel for your friend and the family and I pray that the treatment works and cancer stays away from them this time permanently. Hugs to you as well and all the people that care enough to help them out.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I am not sure if you did in fact explore Mass General Hospital.. my husband was treated there for 5 years when he was battling Pancreatic Cancer.. His radiologist was Dr. Hong and he was wonderful.. just saying in case you go there... he was also mine as I am battling Multiple Myeloma... I would not hesitate to recommend him.. he is caring, smart, and has a wonderful kind nurse..Lorraine.. just putting it out there for you.. I am sending you and John positive energy......please take care of each other..

 

[perdidobay]

Praying for John and his family.

 

[DisneyFairytale]

Hope his recovery continues to go well. All our prayers from Canada.

 

[Brenle]

From John's family:

This update is being written with an abundance of love for and gratitude towards Jesus Christ, Who continues to carry John in His loving and healing arms, and to all of you, who pray for John, petition for his restored health, and place my son at the Feet of our Lord and Savior.

John had an MRI on Friday, July 23. The result is nothing less than miraculous! A month ago John had an MRI that showed areas deep within his brain that had increased enhancement, indicating leukemia infiltration. These areas were quite deep, and the doctors were not optimistic about the medicines being able to reach them. By the Grace of God, these areas are now virtually undetectable! Also, John's vision was 20/60; it has now improved to 20/30. John's retina specialist noted that this response is remarkable, as he sees no evidence of leukemia in John's eyes. We are all overjoyed!

John will continue with this anti-angiogenisis and monoclonal antibody treatment, hoping and praying for continued good response. Additionally, he continues to work hard with his physical therapist, making huge strides in his balance and general conditioning. He is full of joyful anticipation in being a full-time student at college again.

Please continue to pray for John, especially between 7:00-8:00pm. Your prayers are powerful and have helped to work a miracle on John's behalf. With love and gratitude.

 

[Brenle]

I am not sure if you did in fact explore Mass General Hospital.. my husband was treated there for 5 years when he was battling Pancreatic Cancer.. His radiologist was Dr. Hong and he was wonderful.. just saying in case you go there... he was also mine as I am battling Multiple Myeloma... I would not hesitate to recommend him.. he is caring, smart, and has a wonderful kind nurse..Lorraine.. just putting it out there for you.. I am sending you and John positive energy......please take care of each other..

Thank you for sharing your story with me. We don't live far from Mass General and know what a solid reputation it has. I believe doctors there have been consulted regarding his treatment. I am glad your husband had such wonderful care.

And how are you doing now with your multiple myeloma battle? I will pray for you and your husband, and I thank you for praying for John. If you read my previous post, you know of John's amazing recovery.

Praying for John and his family.

Hope his recovery continues to go well. All our prayers from Canada.

Thank you both for taking the time to pray for someone you've never met.

 

[mommasita]

What fabulous news to read

I will absolutely without a doubt pray daily for John. I hope that everything continues to improve.

Godbless you as well.

 

[Brenle]

First of all, thank you everyone who continues to read this thread and for those praying for John, thank you, thank you, thank you.

John was doing well, and unfortunately I did not post that update. And with sadness I post the following quote from his family:


"All packed and ready to go home, John had another seizure just before leaving the hospital. He is back in the ICU. The result of the spinal tap that John had this morning is not good: there is a significant increase in leukemia cells. John's oncologist is not optimistic about being able to stop John's leukemia. She is also afraid that she may not be able to stop John's seizures.

Please, please continue to carry John in your prayers. Please pray for his strength and a pain-free journey to come out of this with his health restored."



This was posted 5 hours ago today, EST. Please continue to pray for John.