I'm blogging at www.melaniedorsey.com . Please join me there.

Nov 25, 2009

Thankful

Andrew made it fine through the surgery yesterday. Thank you for your prayers!
He has been out of it mostly. I think this may be all the morphine he has had since Saturday. But you may find it funny to know he has watched a lot of The Food Network when he is awake. He and I used to snuggle together and watch Emeril years ago. Now he likes Alton Brown. It must be the scientific aspect Alton Brown brings to food!

Hopefully Andrew will be discharged some time tomorrow. Some good friends are fixing Thanksgiving dinner in their home for our other two children and my husband and I will eat with Andrew at the hospital.

We are staying local to do the radiation and chemo. We just can't leave our children and our support system again. It was too hard on the whole family before.

But I am also still researching alternative treatments to be used in conjunction with traditional protocol. We did not want to have Andrew go through the radiation and chemo because it does not cure this type of cancer and we hated to put him through the side effects to no avail. However, we are hoping it will give us more time.

Andrew's diagnosis is a GBM stage 4. It is the deadliest brain cancer and very rare in children. We are told there is no cure. BUT GOD.

I keep coming back to that because we know that God heals and we have heard of miracles happening for people who were sent home to die.
We continue to believe, hope, pray and breathe faith. Last week we were at our weariest and, to be honest, I thought I was near a break down at any moment. Sleep deprivation is a bad thing.

I am still praying for so many of you that have requested prayer. I don't have all the answers but I do have my faith and trust in a good God. I pray and believe because His Word tells me to. I persist because Jesus gave us the parable of the persistent widow. I trust in Him because He is trustworthy.

Happy Thanksgiving! We have our son so our day will be full of thanks.

40 comments:

  1. you are so wonderful melanie. i am crying reading your words of faith and love for our Father. thank you for that. love robin

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  2. Praying for you all and wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. Our God is an awesome God!!

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  3. I am glad to hear that the surgery went well! You are a very strong woman with great faith! I am keeping y'all in my prayers. I hope y'all have a good Thanksgiving!

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  4. Oh, so thankful the surgery went well. You are one strong lady. I am in continual prayers for you all. GOD is in control. Hugs to you and your family.
    Tara

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  5. I'm so glad to hear that he is doing well after his surgery :) You are an amazing woman and your faith moves me!! Honestly..when I feel I am being overwhelmed, then I read what you write on your blog..I am humbled..
    Have a Happy Thanksgiving!...you do have SO much to be thankful for :)
    Love and Hugs...Jerelene

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  6. Yes, you do have much to be thankful for. Our God is faithful.

    Hugs and prayers and best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.

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  7. Oh, how I will continue to pray for sweet Andrew & for you & your family! BUT GOD is always your "motto" & that is the ONLY way to get through this. I am so praying for extra strength, stamina, energy, peace, & continued hope for all of you. It is a Thanksgiving gift that you have Andrew there with you & can share this time with him.
    I love the comments about the food network. You just never know what things will have an impact on kids on down the road. Thanks for sharing your journey.

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  8. Hi Melanie. Please know that I am continuing my prayers for Andrew.
    "Nothing is impossible to God" Nothing is. I totally believe in the power of prayer. (HUGS)
    Sandra

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  9. Praising God that the surgery went well. I love you sis, praying for you, and dear Andrew.

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  10. Dear Melanie, standing with you in prayer and thanksgiving. I'm believing God for miracles.
    Debra

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  11. To my dear Melanie,

    Thanks so much for taking the time to update.

    So blessed to read Andrew is recovering well.

    Praying you will get to go home tomorrow.

    I think you've made a good decision to stay close to home.

    You all need the love, prayers and support you can get.

    God is at work, and He doesn't need a certain "place" to perform a miracle!!!

    Just hearts that believe!

    I'm giving thanks to the Lord for allowing our paths to cross.

    I've prayed so much for Andrew I feel like I know him now. He's very dear to my heart~


    I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Psalm 121:1

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  12. Melanie,
    I do not pretend to know the outcome in Andrew's situation, but I do know "NOTHING is impossible with GOD." I continue to pray for him. GOD has kept him on my mind. I have three sons (all grown, but one who will be 17 in January). I have always been drawn to the boys....I understand them. GOD has used my love for my own guys to keep Andrew in the forefront of my thoughts. Andrew is also my middle son's middle name. GOD uses all things...even crazy things to keep a person with memory loss focused on praying for him.
    Much love and many prayers sent your way,
    andrea

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  13. Thanks for the update, Dear. I'm glad he came through the surgery well. Praying for you all ~ and believing with you for a miracle.

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  14. You are not alone. Many are praying and believing with you. Martha

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  15. My heart is breaking for you and your family Melanie but I rejoice in praying for God's miracle for Andrew. We have a much BIGGER God than any doctor can out diagnose. God knows best.

    Standing in the gap for you!

    God's peace and grace for a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  16. Melanie,

    Just wanted to drop in this morning and let you know that you remain in our prayers. I didn't realize Andrew was having his surgery until after it was over. I'm so thankful it went well. You are all being thought of and lifted this Thanksgiving day.
    I pray you feel the Father's love so much today Melanie.

    Believing with you,
    Lea

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  17. We are praying from Rachels hospital room.
    May you be completely surrounded by peace
    today. We are believing God with you. Oh
    how we have seen Him move this week. Nothing
    is too difficult for Him!!!

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  18. Thankful for your family this Thanksgiving. I'm thankful Andrew is awake and recovering from surgery. I will continue to pray for Andrew and your family.

    God bless you. Sending love and hugs and extra prayers.

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  19. Just wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers today. Have a blessed Thanksgiving with your sweet son. I'm so glad the surgery went well.

    That's so sweet that you have those precious memories of watching Emeril together. How fun!

    Love & prayers sent from Oklahoma!
    Valerie

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  20. ((hugs))) Always close to my thoughts and prayers sis...I love you all...

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  21. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY MELANIE!!!

    Will continue to pray ~~ Dawn

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  22. Melanie - I am so glad to read the surgery went well. I am in Iowa, but wanted to stop by and say I'm thinking of you all. Remember to take care of YOU during this time too, so that you can continue to care for Andrew. I am praying for you all.

    I hate cancer! But I love God. May He be a constant viable present in your life.

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  23. Melanie - I am so glad to read the surgery went well. I am in Iowa, but wanted to stop by and say I'm thinking of you all. Remember to take care of YOU during this time too, so that you can continue to care for Andrew. I am praying for you all.

    I hate cancer! But I love God. May He be a constant viable present in your life.

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  24. Praying, praying, never ceasing sweet sis. I love you.

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  25. Mel,
    Be strong and of good courage, the Lord your God is with you! We continue to pray and to believe. I'm reminded to use the acronym P.U.S.H.
    Pray
    Until
    Something
    Happens
    I love you with my whole heart.
    Alisa

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  26. Melanie,

    I pray for you to get some rest. I know you are weary from the battle. We will help support your arms in prayer to conquer this cancer. I still believe. Love to you, Andrew and the family. B

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  27. My prayers are with your family and for God's Healing grace to completely cure Andrew. God Bless. Hugs, Marty

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  28. Dear Lord, please touch every sick cell in Andrew's body and heal him. Thank you Lord for this sweet family. Please give Melanie and 1FM the strength they need. Amen.

    Melanie, I can't even begin to tell you how your faith is inspiring me. And I'm sure many, many others. Thank you for taking the time to update your blog. I know it's hard to keep up with everything. You are being lifted up my friend.

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  29. Prayers and love flow your way without ceasing. Andrew and your entire family are so very precious. Lifting you on the breath of prayer and trusting God to do more than I even think to ask.

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  30. Prayers and love flow your way without ceasing. Andrew and your entire family are so very precious. Lifting you on the breath of prayer and trusting God to do more than I even think to ask.

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  31. praying, praying, praying for you and yours and especially your Andrew. Melanie, I am praying for a MIGHTY MIRACLE of healing and I will not stop. I love you.

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  32. Praying for you all! You and your son are never far from my thoughts. I can't imagine the pain your son is in or how weary you and your family must be, but I am praying the Lord will cover you all with his peace and endurance for the race you are running. (((hugs))) Currently my husband and I are going through a difficult time as he is looking for employment, but in this economy its just not happening. As I have read your posts I have been amazed at your courage in the midst of the unknown and encouraged as I walk through my own "unknown." May the Lord bless you!

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  33. Melanie:
    I am still praying for the miracle that our God is able to perform for Andrew if He so choses.

    If you ever did the Beth Moore Daniel study - [or even if you didn't] get session #3 and view it with your husband. It might even be one that Andrew might watch [once you have previewed it yourselves]. I know that it has made a huge impact on several of my friends who have cancer.

    My husband went to glory just over 3 years ago [from cancer] BUT GOD did many mighty miracles in his last days to give him additional time. God can do even more for Andrew. Nothing is 'rare' where God is concerned. God knows about every detail of Andrew's life! He will do whatever brings Him the greater glory! And He will hold your hand THROUGH this unknown path - becasue only HE knows the way!

    Praying with faith believing!

    Choosing JOY, Stephanie

    2 Kings 20:5 says:
    "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the LORD..."

    Note: The Lord added 15 years to Hezekiah's life!

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  34. I've been away from my computer because of the death of my father-in-law. It was his time to go, and he is in a better place than where he was the last month of his life. I'm so glad Andrew's surgery went well. I continue to pray for a miracle for Andrew. laurie

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  35. Hi Melanie, I am a new reader of your blog and cried with sadness and beauty at your love of GOD and your beautiful son, Andrew. He will be in my prayers and thoughts and I can say firsthand, FAITH in GOD at a time of great despair, leads to peace and true healing! May Andrew be healed, in our Lord, Jesus' name.
    Amen!

    xoxo,
    Susan

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  36. May God bless you all and bring you sweet, peaceful sleep. A time of renewal and restoration.
    My prayer for you.
    Zep 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

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  37. Melanie - I just wanted to say that I stumbled across Andrew's battle (and your blog) - I just feel so much for you and admire your strength and courage. Please look after yourself as well as everyone else! I dont have a particular faith but I do wish you all well with whatever strength I have - not sure I have quite written what I mean there! Lots of love and kind thoughts x

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  38. I am keeping you and your whole family in my prayers.

    God Bless You with love, strength and healing...

    Sincerely,
    Kath Frangeskos at
    Jesus Knows You Best

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