News about Courtney's health - please pray with us
Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 10:25PM Dear friends,
Megan and I wanted to write something to explain what is happening with Courtney's health. Rumors tend to fly thick and fast. We would rather that our friends know the truth, and in doing so hold Courts, Liam and the two of us in prayer.
What has happened so far.
On Sunday the 5th of September Courts woke up with a very swollen right eye. She had a bad cold the week before. Megie took her to our doctor - he later admitted her to hospital. Essentially it seems that an infection had spread into her sinuses and when she was blowing her nose it spread behind the right eye which caused her eye and face to swell up.
On Monday the 6th of September, after spending the night in hospital, Courtney went for an MRI scan to ascertain exactly where the infection behind her eye was, and if there was any damage to the lining of the ocular cavity that would need surgical repair, or if there was an abscess that would need to be drained.
While examining the MRI our doctor discovered a tumor of about 2.5cm in height, and 1.5cm in breadth in the fourth cerebral ventricle of Court's brain.
A few requests from our side.
Naturally this comes as a great shock to all of us. Here's what we would like to ask of you.
1. Please pray for Courtney. Naturally we are asking for God to heal her completely. We believe God is able to this in many wonderful ways. We are blessed with a wonderful team of doctors, but please pray specifically for our neurosurgeon. 2. Tomorrow (8 September 2010) we will share the news with Courtney as we meet with the neurosurgeon again. Cancer can be a very scary thing for a little girl! We have told Courtney that the doctor has discovered the reason why she has been getting headaches and been a little 'clumsy' over the last while. 3. Please silence any rumors that you may hear about Courtney's condition. We know that she will receive the best treatment possible and that she will be completely well. We are trusting God to use every means at His disposal to work this wonderful miracle! We are taking the journey one step at a time. First the infection in her eye needs to settle so that she can have the brain surgery. Then once the surgery is done we will know what kind of tumor she has and can decide how to proceed with treatment from there.
Please pray that she will be shielded from fear and that Megan and I will have all the wisdom, love and courage that we need to support her, Liam and one another.
The way ahead (as we see it today).
As of today Courts is in hospital receiving antibiotics and cortisone to clear the infection in her eye. She cannot have the surgery for the tumor until the doctor is certain that there will be no cross infection. Her eye is looking so much better today and so our neurosurgeon has scheduled to meet with the three of us tomorrow morning at 9am and then to do the surgery on the 15th of September.
Naturally an oncologist will do tests to determine what further treatment is necessary (if any). It is difficult to say what that treatment will involve. It may be that the surgery is enough, it may be that she needs radiation treatment or something else.
God's faithfulness.
We are so grateful for God's abundant mercy and grace. We know that we are experiencing what Romans 8.28 says, "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him". If Courtney did not have a cold, and did not pick up the infection behind her eye (as painful as it is), she would never have gone for the MRI and we may only have discovered this tumor too late.
Now, we have a great sense of God's love and peace. An abiding scripture over the last few days has been Lamentations 3:21-25 which says:
"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him". The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him..."
Thank you for your friendship and care! Please remember to pray for Courtney and for us. I'm afraid that we don't have the time to return all the calls and text messages we receive, please do feel free to leave any messages here and we will make sure to share them with Courts at the appropriate time.
God bless,
Dion, Megan, Courtney and Liam
Reader Comments (40)
Dion, we will be praying for you and your family!
Hannes
I will pray and fast today-Trevor
Hey D & Meegs,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Trusting in the Lord for Court's healing.
God bless,
Douglas
Dearest Dion, Megan, Courtney and Liam ... we, my mom and Dennis are also holding you in our thoughts and prayers, with much love from Lynn, Warren & Tessa xxxx
With God's Power she will be healed!!
lots of love and continous prayers from the Midlands.
Al and Jess
xxxx
Hi there Courtney
Hope you are starting to feel better after the horrible cold and sinuses! I know it is difficult dealing with everything that is happening now and it must be very confusing. You are in my prayers.
Remember all the wonderful conversations we had in Sunday school talking about how difficult it was for you to start in a new school and make new friends? We prayed about it each week and it got easier and easier ....... well this is the same, keep praying and God will make sure you are able to handle each day as it comes.
If and when you feel like it, I would love to come and visit you. Just let mom and dad know and I will pop in! I'm sure Rory and Bryoni would love to visit you as well!
Hang in there my girl, God bless!
Lotsa luv Caryl
My thoughts and prayers are with you guys so much love to
my special little girl
heather blues
xxxxxxx
Courtney,you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.Hope you feel better soon.
God bless you and be with you always.
Taryn Norton
Strength to you all! Really tough to see someone you love not well. Flavia and I are praying for you all and trust that you will find a strength beyond yourselves. Much love to all.
Dear Dion and Megs
God's blessings during this difficult time. I will be in prayer for you. Don't hesitate to call if there is anything I can do. Love Nick (and clan)
Dear Dion
I shall pray each day for the Lord's blessing and guidance for you, your family, and the medical staff concerned. Our God is an awesome God, with him all things are possible.
With love
Trevor
Pyaying for Courtney and for all of you! Lord have mercy!
We love, suport and pray to our Father with you for Shalom and comeplete healing. Christopher H
We are standing with you in prayers. May you experience Psalm 112:5 - 8 as a now word for you all. Love, Simon and Ruth
Dion, baie baie sterkte vir jou en jou familie in hierdie baie moeilike en emosioneel dreinerende tyd. Ek is twee jaar gelede deur baie diesefde tipe van ding en moes 'n gewas laat verwyder agter my oog. Daar was geen ander manier as om van voor , deur my gesig te sny nie. Dit het ook met swelling begin en was aanvanklik verkeerdelik gediagnoseer was as 'n abses in my sinus kanaal. 'n MRI het die gewas uitgewys. Hoewel ek nooit uitslae ontvang het ronom die uitslae van toetse wat op die gewas uitgevoer is nie, het ek 100% genees. Dit was 'n ongelooflike eyeopener rondom my spirituele lewe en verhouding met God. Ek weet dit bied skrale troos, maar dalk kan dit jou erens 'n klein klein bietjie gemoedsrus bring. Ek bid vir jou en jou familie, baie spesifiek vir Courtney. P.S. Ons dien 'n GROOT GOD!