Caleb - 4 His Victory over Cancer

This is Caleb and his beloved puppy. They are sleeping in the dog bed. Pretty soon he will have to have a haircut. I am sure he will love that.

Oh doesn't he like to cuddle in a toasty blanket.

Following is the journey of Caleb - 4 and his family for a year. I posted a prayer request a few months ago. At the end of the words in red is a story of VICTORY!!! Praise God.

1st Posting

I am sharing the story of my dear friend Betty's grandson who has been diagnosed with cancer. He is the son of Pastor’s Jeff and Julie(her daughter), Sister Maggie, and Brothers, Zachary and Spencer. They live in Maryland. A healthy 4 year old running and playing and having fun and the next day diagnosed with a life threatening disease called cancer. I will only hit the highlights of the story. My purpose is that you would pray for healing.Caleb’s story begins in Dec. 2007 when blood was found in his urine, His pediatrician did a urinalysis and blood work and nothing showed up and was dismissed as a virus. On May 15, 2008 His mom Julie, took Caleb in for what was a routine check for STREP. A CNP examined him thoroughly and felt a mass and he was sent for tests and a malignant tumor was found in his kidney. He faced stage 3 cancer which had spread also to the tissue and blood vessels. He had the surgery to remove the kidney and would continue with radiation and 27 weeks of chemo.
In the midst of this his mom tells a story. His dad, Jeff, tells Caleb every night before bed that they are best buddies forever. Lying in bed with his dad one night, Caleb said, “Daddy, when we get to heaven will we still be best buddies?” “Of course”, Jeff assured him that they would. Then another night Caleb was rubbing his dad’s head and he said, “Don’t worry daddy, when I’m done chemo our hair will grow back. How precious this little one. It makes you wonder what goes through a child’s thoughts.

UPDATE:SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2008

Caleb had follow up tests this past week and he is tumor free but he still faces the last part of his chemo treatment every 3 weeks.His mom’s words:"My son has cancer and I never would have dreamed we would be living this out. Nobody does, I guess. The word HOPE has a new and deeper meaning for parents of children with cancer. I look at Caleb through different eyes now. I spend more time just watching him play or even sleep. Not because I have a sense of doom about him but because I am so much more aware of what I would lose if he were not with us.And so now we go for chemo every three weeks in D.C. "
Isaiah 53:5 He was wounded for our transgressions.
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was up Him.
And by His stripes we are healed.
Stand with this family as they fight this battle with their son over cancer.

VICTORIOUS UPDATE - Monday, January 5, 2008 by his mom

This just in....Caleb's scans are all negative! Everything looks good in there and we are so relieved to have those tests behind us. Thank you for praying and please don't stop now! If Caleb should relapse, the first year following treatment is the most likely time for it to happen. Most kids do fine and do not relapse, but some do. Knowing this will keep us ever watchful as he will get scans every three months.
But we are rejoicing in the good news and look forward to watching Caleb regain his hair, some weight to hold his pants up and freedom from the PIC line. Lots of tub time coming up!
During Sunday night service I was holding Caleb on my lap and the presence of God was so close and so sweet.I realized I was holding in my arms GOD'S child. The tears fell as I breathed in his sweet scent and marveled at the privilege of simply holding him.At that same moment,Jeff stood up and said that God had just spoken peace to him concerning Caleb.No matter what....PEACE.
Julie

I rejoice for the family and my prayer is that it will be a year of His Healing, His Love, His Presence, His Provision, His Wisdom and that God would pour into this family all that they need. Thank You Lord for answering our prayers.