Past Updates

November 16, 2024

Gage was discharged from the Mayo Clinic today, and we arrived back home a couple of hours ago! Gage had an MRI a week ago that showed some abnormal areas in the bones around his eyes, and because of that, we were referred to the Mayo Clinic. An oncologist called us on Thursday morning and asked if we could be in Rochester that day. We got to the Emergency Department in Mayo at about 5:30 PM on Thursday, and they put him through Cat Scans and a lot of testing. Gage had a Biopsy from the area in the bone around his eye, and the preliminary results showed that it was not the initial type of cancer they thought it was, which is good news. To make a long story short, the results from the biopsy will take about a week to be processed. We plan to wait for those results and diagnosis and head back to the Mayo Clinic to start treatment as soon as possible.

We know many of you have been praying for Gage, and we are incredibly thankful and want you to know that we know that God answers prayers. We can't begin to tell you how God has worked throughout this, but I will try to touch the surface. After the MRI, many were praying that Gage would get into Mayo quickly -- as soon as Gage's file was received at Mayo, things started happening, and when his file got to the right people, they wanted him there that day! We had been praying for the doctors and nurses handling Gage's case. There is no question in our mind that God placed everyone in Gage's path that He wanted there. From the ER doctor who was lovingly honest with us, to the urologist, who was a bit strange but was so good at his job, to the grandpa like anesthesiologist, who told us that his only job was to make sure Gage didn't feel anything and that he was entirely safe, to the nurse that sang "He's got the whole world in Hands" and the other one who desperately tried for a high five and was legitimately thrilled when she finally got it. That is just the surface. I could tell you about the oncologist, the doctor who did the eye biopsy, and nurse Alex in the ER; all of these were put in our path -- for that, I am confident. These are just a few of the things we observed -- what about the things that we couldn't? We are so thankful for your prayers. Please continue. The picture shows Gage's cousins who came to visit him!!

December 2, 2024

Gage Update: We have been waiting for a diagnosis for Gage for a while now. Our minds have continually wondered what the reason for the delay is concerning the pathology results of the biopsy they took from around Gage's eyes. Waiting has been difficult for the parents, but Gage still feels good, and we are so thankful for that. As we wait, we constantly remind ourselves of how the Lord has been at work through all of this! It is utterly amazing to us. Our family doctor referred us to the Mayo Clinic (we are so thankful for this), and the ball was rolling from that moment. They saw Gage's file, and we were there the same day. In the following 24 hours, they accomplished more than we thought possible. One doctor said they would move mountains to help our son - that was an excellent way to explain it. All of this is to tell you that the time spent waiting for pathology results that will lead to a diagnosis is not wasted. It is time necessary to reach the correct diagnosis and tailor a treatment for Gage.

We met with the doctor today over Zoom and learned that we do not have a diagnosis yet. The reason is that the doctors working on this need to consult an expert outside the pediatric oncology team working on Gage's case. They want the experts at Mayo who specialize in the broad condition that Gage has to look at it all and make the diagnosis. At least, this is how we understand it.

We are sorry for the length of this update. We need to say a couple more things. First of all, Thank you for your love, concern, and, most of all, your prayers for Gage. We can't begin to express what it means to know that so many people worldwide are praying for our son. It is humbling. Thank you. We have truly experienced the love of God in ways we never could have outside of this situation, and for that, we are speechless. One of the ways we have known God's love and care for us is through the love and prayers of the saints for our family. A friend lamented the other day, saying, "Wish we could do more than pray for you and your family. Our church is praying for you." What more would we ask of you? Your continued prayers mean the world to our family (even though Gage doesn't realize it- we pray that he will when we tell him all about this when he is older).

God is Good, and we are a bit of a wreck. He is our strength, and He is where we find refuge. David understood the trouble and uncertainty of life and, in the midst of it, says:

"Blessed be the LORD!

For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults,

and with my song I give thanks to him." ~ Psalm 28:6-7

It is true.

December 5, 2024

Gage Update:

As many of you know, we have spent the last couple of weeks waiting for a final diagnosis concerning Gage. People have been praying that we would get answers soon, and we have been told repeatedly how sorry people are that we have had to wait so long. We understood that the wait was necessary to get the proper diagnosis and, therefore, the correct treatment for Gage. We are not saying that it has been easy. We have understood that Gage has some kind of cancer, although not the initial cancer they thought he might have, but a kind of cancer just the same. We have been waiting for the exact diagnosis to reach this journey's next step. The next step. We found out yesterday the exact type of cancer that we will be fighting, and doctors are encouraging and hopeful, but it was still like a punch in the gut. I am not sure what we were expecting, but I don't think anything can prepare a parent for the words, "Your child has a very rare form of cancer that affects adults more than children."

Gage is in the best place. He has great doctors; some of the best doctors in the world are working on his treatment plan. The Mayo Clinic is one of the best hospitals in the world. These things are true, but I mean that Gage is in the hands of God, and that is the best place to be. A friend of mine lovingly reminded me of Psalm 139:16 tonight and that not only was Gage formed and knit together in his mother's womb, but before he was born, the Lord saw his days that were all formed for him. The Lord knows what He is doing, and he has a plan. We find great comfort in this.

The doctors are busy making a plan and will soon tell us when we need to be there. The future is uncertain for us, but we trust in the One who is all-wise, and nothing concerning Gage is uncertain. Soon, from our perspective, the battle will begin against the cancer in Gage's body with Chemotherapy and other things. We know that however this battle goes, Gage is in the hands of God, and there is no better place to be.

So we fight and trust the One who has all this in His hands.

"Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them." ~ Psalm 139:16

December 14, 2024

Words. I can't seem to come up with the right ones to communicate how thankful we are for all the prayers, love, financial support, and just wonderful care we have received.

Update: We are heading to Mayo this coming Wednesday for appointments Thursday and Friday for Gage. He will have more imaging done, and we will meet with his cancer doctor and hopefully learn the plan going forward to treat his very rare cancer. There is lots we don't know...but what we do know is that we are not alone, and God knows all. Obviously our hearts are full of anxiety and fear, but you all have helped remind us of WHO is in control. The GoFundMe that my sweet brother and sister-in-law set up blew us away. I know people around here are kind and generous - I've lived here most of my life. But the fact that so many people cared enough to give to us made me cry more times than I can count. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

December 21, 2024

December 21 Update.

We continue to be in awe of the love and support that so many people have shown us. Your prayers for Gage and our family, your words of encouragement and hope, and your financial generosity have left us without words more times than we can count. You all are indeed a blessing, more than you realize! Gage. Well, we were at Mayo Clinic again, and Gage underwent some full body scans that showed he had this cancer on his bones from his head to his feet. We are thankful that it isn't in his organs, which is very possible for this type of cancer. We met with Gage's oncologist (who we have more admiration for every time we talk with her), and the plan going forward is for Gage to not undergo Chemo (at least for now) but be treated with medication that will target the specific mutation that is causing the disease. Before Gage can start taking this medication, we need to jump through some hoops regarding insurance. It is a bit complicated because there have only been 800ish people diagnosed with what Gage has since the disease was discovered (around 1938). Most of those have been diagnosed as middle-aged males, and very few of them are children. We believe that Gage is the 12th (give or take) little boy who has been diagnosed with this worldwide. I know many people seeing this update have been praying for Gage and are wondering how you can pray. Here are our top three: 1. We pray for healing (medically speaking, there is no cure for what Gage has, but the plan is to "manage" it). 2. We pray that our insurance comes through and that Gage can get the proper medication. 3. We pray that God would use all of this in ways that we can't imagine. The plan is to go back to Mayo in "early" January for some more tests and we are praying that we will be able to start treatment at that time as well. Thank you all for your prayers and support!! Oh, and we stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester (Ronald McDonald House Charities Midwest MN, WI, IAMWI)-- it truly is a "magic hotel" (this is what some of the other parents there called it). The place is amazing.

December 25, 2024

Merry Christmas! Even though my heart might not always feel so “merry” I will still say it. This year I’m reminded how Jesus brought light into such a dark world that first Christmas AND He still does it today! If your world is dark, grief-filled, sad, lonely, or hurting please know there is hope - it’s Christ and the gift of salvation he offers. We are so thankful to our friends and family who have supported , loved, and encouraged us in the recent weeks. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!