December 27, 2005

Kole had another visit to the hospital today. He had three appointments. One was with Dr. Gajjar the oncology radiologist, a neurologist, and a physical therapist. The neurologist checked Kole out with his motor movements and found as we expected that the right side is definitely weaker than the left side. However, he has movements in all his limbs. The neurologist stated that within a year it should all be back and probably only a specialist would ever know that there had been a problem. The physical therapy session was also good. He was able to stand with his eyes closed for 30 seconds and not lose his balance. I believe he could have gone even longer. He is gaining strength in all his arms, hands, legs, and feet. Now for the news that was not expected. The dark spot at the bottom of his back which is just above the crack on his bottom has now been determined to be a tumor and not blood. It is below his spinal cord for which we are very thankful. They will not do surgery but believe that radiation will take care of it. There is good news along with the bad. They will now not have to have quite as strong of radiation along his spinal column as they had previously thought was needed. I asked Janni how she was doing and she said that she is O'K with it and is just trusting the good Lord to care for Kole and to continue to give them the patience, trust, belief, strength, etc. in the whole process of treatment and healing.

We are getting lots of smiles, laughter and teasing from Kole. He teases Grandpa Keller about running out of gas on the way to the airport and Grandpa Sprunger about talking too much. We were thrilled yesterday when he was tickling his sister and just being a teasing big brother. Jaelle loved it too.

The stay here was very stressful last week for Janni and Steve and they have been very thankful for family support this past week. We have had a lot of fun and laughter during our times together. The Kellers and Sprungers are sharing a hotel room together and all is going well. It saves on expenses but even better is the quality time that we spend together.

Tomorrow, Kole has his first radiation session. We are so grateful for all the prayers, thoughts, cards, and gifts that have been given on behalf of Kole. We are grateful for how God is working in this hard and difficult time. On the Fri., Dec. 23rd reading in the Daily Bread, Joanne Yoder writes most Christians would prefer to see God perform mighty miracles rather than to have fellowship with Him and learn his ways. She uses Exodus 33:13 where Moses humbly prayed, "If I have found grace in your sight, show me now Your way. She continues to write that Moses wanted to know God and His plans for His people more than to see another mighty miracle. How we would like to see Kole instantly healed but we know that God has a plan. The wait has not been easy but with God all things are possible.

Phil