Joel's Journey: remembering.....

Sunday, October 27, 2013

remembering.....

I always relive October through January of 2006/07. It will never fade from my memory even as bad as I might want it to. Particular days scream, others are as silent and cold as the grave itself. As long as the sun rises and as long as I have breath, my heart will never ever be ok. Sure, I experience grace everyday to live, to do what I gotta do, that's how it works and I am thankful. It will be 7 years soon. He was only 3. So little, so innocent to life......

I love you still.....

3 comments:

Marie said...: Hugs, Cindy!!! This is beautifully written....brings tears to my eyes....simply cannot imagine. May God wrap his arms around you and your family and hold you real tight!; October 27, 2013 at 6:33 AM
Rachel said...: I can imagine. Praying for you and your beautiful family! Thank you for all the encouragement you sent me the last few years. Praying for hope and the joy of his presence!; October 27, 2013 at 11:05 PM
Teena said...: I always think of you at this time of year too.... remembering with you.

You do so embrace life.. through the pics on instagram I see you seeing all of God's gifts around you... grace.

love you.; October 29, 2013 at 11:50 PM

Joel's Story

Joel, our 11th of 13 and a twin of Josiah, at age 3 was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer, on December 6th, 2006. Joel had three perfect years of health and he and Josiah celebrated their 3rd birthday Sept. 13th, 2006. The first of Oct. Joel started having unexplained fevers for a few days and would return to active play. After the fourth round of fevers we took him to our family Dr. which they said his iron was low, so we treated that for a few weeks and took him back only to have his hemo. showing lower than before. We were referred to a hematologists and saw him a few weeks with blood checks twice a week. At a visit on Dec. 4th we showed the Dr. the bumps, (which were tumors but we did not know at the time) on Joel's head and he was very concerned and we were told we needed to admit him immediately and start extensive tests the following day. Joel went through rigorous testing and then the dreaded results were given. Joel was at a stage IV the most extensive stage, but we were hopeful that the Lord would use the means of Chemotherapy treatments to restore Joel's body. Joel endured 8 1/2 days in the hospital, came home for Christmas, and returned for his second round of chemo Jan. 3, 2007. Joel had a seizure that night after midnight and went into a coma due to a tumor bleeding in his head area and causing his brain to swell. After tests the following days, the Dr. declared Joel "brain dead" and took us to court to force us to take Joel off life support, as we did not agree with the medical field's definition of death. Our family sought to stand with the scripture, "life is in the blood,"and until Joel's heart quit beating naturally, he was living. We were making arrangements to bring him home and on January 23, 2007 his little heart stopped beating and he went to be with the Lord Jesus in heaven. Our lives are changed forever. God is faithful in the midst of this trial and we look with great hope to be with him someday.