Guys,
I am truly amazed at how the msduckers band together for each other. I've had a couple folks come by. I've gotten PMs for support. Most importantly 6 pages worth of prayer commitments. I've been on the other side of the "I'm praying for you" statement, and I realize you feel like your not really doing anything substantial. The truth is Griff, my family, and I feel every one of them. Without them, we would truly be having a much harder time.
So far Griff has been a trooper. He's had several rounds of chemo and all has gone extremely well. He's tired all the time and the steroids they give him keep him irritated, but it could be soooooo much worse. I'm not pretending we're anywhere close to being out of the woods. I realize we've just started. He still hasn't had all the different chemo drugs yet. I just wanted to commend you all for putting actions to words and fulfilling Christ's direction in your life for spending time in prayer for my baby (I don't care if he is 4.. He is still my baby).
As I type this he is sleeping fast. His little angel face is glowing. His little arms and back are wrapped in bandages from IVs and needle punctures. It seems so unfair for such innocence to have to go through the pain and fear that he has and is facing. But I can tell that God is hearing everyone's petitions for mercy and healing. I also realize that God IS mercy and healing. I believe He wants to prove himself to us. I do not believe that God is the instigator of calamity. I think he permits it, but will also heal and show himself to us in the midst of a tragedy.
I do believe God is hearing your prayers, and as a father who wants so very much for his son to be healed, I am forever in your debt for your time and prayer. I'm truly humbled.
Thanks so much again,
Stephan Sykes
gunner
EDITED 3.27.2010
Guys,gunner wrote:Please say a lil prayer for my son Griff. He has had an elevated temperature for about 3 to 4wks now. He's seen the dr about 4 times and been on two rounds of antibiotics and nothing has worked thus far. He was tested for strep and flu and both came back negative. It is prolly noth'n serious, but you know how fathers worry. I appreciate the prayers in advance.
I have been hit with the hardest news a parent could imagine short of their child is already dead or sure to die. My 4 yr old baby boy has Type B-precursor Acute Lymphoblast Leukemia. We had a whirlwind of the last four days. He has been poked and prodded more than you can imagine. Blood drawn too many times to count.... blood transfused.... bone marrow withdrawn twice.... spinal fluid withdrawn.... and surgery for a chemo port among many other discomforts.
The great news is that this type of leukemia is very common type of leukemia and has a 97% survival rate using the chemo protocol that to Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital @ University Medical Center in Jackson uses. It will be a long hard next two years. We do very much so covet your prayers.
He started his first round of chemo today.
To follow along with Griff's recovery go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/griffithsykes
