Arend's visit to Dr. MacDonald

We have just returned home from Arend's appointment with the tumour specialist. For those of you who see us on a regular basis, you know how Arend's health has seemingly deteriorated over the past year and that we were becoming quite concerned.

When he had his MRI done in 2007 there was no indication that the tumour had returned, so Dr. MacDonald told him that he could go for two years before he had his next MRI. However, when the appointment was received, it was for this year rather than 2009. As the year progressed, we began to think that what at first appeared to be an error was instead Divine intervention. By having an MRI done in May 2008 we could see what was going on and deal with it. We were tested yet again when Arend went for the MRI and the technician told him that they were going to image more of his spine than usual. The immediate question was WHY?, then "did they see something at the beginning of the MRI that made the doctor order a more in-depth image?"

The three-week wait between the MRI and today was interminable in many respects, filled with anxiety, worry, a feeling of helplessness and an all-encompassing knowledge that whatever was there the Lord would see us through it. This became even more apparent in the last 72 hours when I felt the Lord's peace over me. It was such a relief to have the Lord carry me and my burden! What a blessing it is to have our faith to see us through the rough times as well as the easy ones! Still, both of us entered the hospital this afternoon wondering what we would hear and how our lives could be changing.

Arend was first seen by a resident, Dr. Cheung, who was very thorough in her examination and also very kind and understanding. Her first words to us were "The MRI shows no indication that the tumour has returned!" She could tell by our faces that we had expected totally different news. She then proceeded to talk to us about the changes that Arend has noticed in the last year. He has begun walking with a cane because he is no longer able to stand up straight. His body bends dramatically forward and to the right. To quote Matthew - "If Dad hunches over any more he'll be a circle!" Well, maybe it isn't that bad, but it is worrisome to look at him. Dr. Cheung did a lot of tests on him especially having him walk with and without his (very heavy) shoes.

Later Dr. MacDonald came in to see us. He and Dr. Cheung had discussed Arend's case and Dr. MacDonald also happily reported that the MRI looked good. He repeated some of the same tests that Dr. Cheung had done and decided that it would be a good idea for Arend to see the rehabilitation doctor that he had seen initially after his surgery in 2004. Dr. MacDonald is thinking that Arend might need some sort of a brace to give his back more support. He said "Hopefully he (Dr. Sequeira) can get you straightened out." We found that rather amusing.

When the doctors MacDonald and Cheung were finished talking to us and left to see other patients, we sat there and cried together. It has been a very emotional year for us as we watched Arend have more and more difficulty standing up and we are so thankful that it has turned out so well. It would have been nice to have had the appointment before Will's graduation, though. Our concern for Arend admittedly took away from the joy of that day for all of us.

Till next time.