Shortly before June 4th, 2014 we received the news that Grandpa had a large mass on his lungs and that it was cancer. Prayers and plans began to start beating this terrible disease! However, Grandpa fell sick fast and wound up in the emergency room with a high fever and severe weakness. Tests were run and we found out that he had a huge absess in his lungs creating fluid and infection everywhere, which at this time was unrelated to the cancer. The medical team had to act fast because this was critical and Grandpa was in very bad condition. Like every medical team does, they prepare you for the worst and let you know how serious this is!
We found out that his esophagus (throat tube leading to the stomach) was damaged from prior radiation treatment (he had throat cancer several years prior) which meant food and liquid was bypassing this tube and going straight into the lungs which is very dangerous! During a test done of his esophagus they found this information out and also said he would probably have to turn his head to the side the rest of his life to even get food to go down properly and that this would be an issue for him moving forward (the rest of his life). However, they had no time to worry about that issue now, they had to get in fast to fix the infection! They also told us it was unlikely they would remove the mass in his lungs, as it would be too dangerous at his critical stage. They let us know that he would be on a ventilator (a machine that breathes for you) in ICU for a long time and this would be a VERY hard road of recovery! Surgery was scheduled first thing the next morning.
I felt very led to get to the hospital to pray over Grandpa before this surgery, but my sweet son Landon had a fire station party to go to that he was really looking forward to. So I was very conflicted on what to do, as the party could of made me late to the hospital. I prayed that God would allow me not to disappoint Landon but still be there for Grandpa. Well, God provided because the fire station got called out for a rescue and we got to leave early enough to get to the hospital so I could pray over him!
As Grandpa prepared for this serious surgery I felt a heavy weight of FEAR for him. I could tell he was trying to be brave, but felt consumed with fear as well. I gave him a cross that said "Believe all things are possible with God." I asked him "do you believe all things are possible with God, Grandpa?"
He had a tear in his eyes and held on to the cross I just gave him tightly and said "yes, I'm trying real hard to believe that, but I'm scared." Myself, grandma and my mom all joined together in prayer and although I don't remember my exact prayer here is what I do remembering praying;
"Lord thank you that you fight our battles and that you are going to guide the surgeons and give them wisdom on how to fix Grandpa. Please give peace to Grandpa because you did not give us the spirit of fear, but you did give us power, love and sound mind. Calm his mind. (During this prayer I felt God ask me to pray over his esophagus) Lord we ask you to completely heal his esophagus. Thank you that he will come out of this surgery healthier and stronger than he even was before, in your name we pray."
Then it was time for surgery. The feeling of fear swept over me as well as they wheeled him down the hospital hallway! Now wait a minute, I just thought! I believe God can do the impossible and heal Grandpa completely, so why am I allowing this fear to seep in! I fought my tears and bad negative thoughts back in my mind and chose to believe God's promises! Grandpa WILL be ok, I trust you Lord!
He held onto that cross the entire way to surgery, it made me so proud of him, it was his declaration that HE BELIEVED ALL THINGS WERE POSSIBLE WITH GOD, they even tried to take it from him because nothing was allowed in the preparation room, but he wouldn't part with it and the sweet nurse allowed it!
Surgery was long but by the grace of God it was a huge success! The surgeon told Grandma that the infection was one of the worst he had ever seen! However, they got it all and grandpa was doing so well during surgery that they took the cancer from the lung too! The surgeon seemed pretty confident that he got all the cancer to boot! Now the long road to recovery starts.
The next day I went to the ICU to pray over Grandpa again. Seeing Grandpa on the ventilator unable to breath on his own but being completely aware of his surroundings was one of the hardest things emotionally I have ever experienced. His eyes pierced me with fear again. I felt paralyzed in the moment not knowing what to do for him. I felt helpless! I looked at Grandma and she seemed to feel the same way. I took a moment to pray silently to myself and felt The Lord say to my heart "sing to him". So I sang "Amazing grace my chains are gone". Suddenly I felt a rush of peace over myself, my grandma, and grandpa. He squeezed my hand with as much strength as he had in the moment and he fell back a sleep!
Grandpa proceeded to defy all odds with his recovery. They told us he would be in the ICU for at least a month or more and on the ventilator for at least two weeks. He was off the ventilator in less than three days and out of the ICU shortly after that! They did follow-up testing on his esophagus and without any medical intervention on their part his esophagus was completely healed! Food and fluid was passing perfectly through it. He was back in the comfort of his own home gaining his strength back before he was even due to come out of ICU!...AND to top it all off he is completely and totally cancer free!
And just like my prayer said, he is stronger and healthier than he was before the surgery!
Praise God! Just believe, all things are possible with God.
