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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

A Parent's Worse Fear

The past 8 days I have been going through an ordeal that my dad & mother experienced with me when I was a teenager.
Waiting on biopsy results to notify me if my son has malignant or benign polyps in his colon (large intestines).
Keith, my 16 y/o son had a colonoscopy performed last week. A gene has been passed through my mother's side of the family for years; familial adenomotous polyposis. Keith had been experiencing problems and discomfort and thus the reason for the procedure. When Keith's mother called me last week after his test, I heard the fear in her voice. I knew something was not right. "Bryan, Keith's colon is covered in polyps", Debra said. She kept talking but I didn't hear a word she was saying. I tried keeping my composure. Tears swelled up in my eyes, a lump formed in my throat, the sobbing begin....I "lost it". She continued, "some of the polyps are quite large so the doctor did some biopsies". We would have to wait until Tuesday for the results.
The past 8 days have been the most excruciating days of my life. I think I said a prayer with every breath I took. It just wasn't fair, it's not right; no parent should have to live with such agony of the things that go through one's mind. I asked my mom how her and dad dealt with the agonizing wait. "Lots of praying", was her reply. I was definitely doing that and I had many others praying as well. It still felt like it wasn't enough.
Yesterday morning, Cindy, David & I made the trip to Tampa to be with Keith when we were told the news. The head nurse entered the room first, "non-malignant" was the first words she said after being introduced to everyone. A big sigh of relief was released. "Thank you, God", I uttered under my breath.
Keith still has a difficult road ahead of him within the next 4-6 weeks. After a few more tests are done; to ensure the polyps haven't entered the small intestines, he will undergo a colonectomy. The same surgery I had done almost 18 years ago. Fortunantely, the same doctor who did my surgery is the same surgeon Keith will be referred to for the surgery. I hate that he has to go through such a surgery and the pain that he will have to endure for a weeks afterwards. I wish I could take the pain for him. The good thing is that Keith knows that I went through the same surgery and can see me as an example that everything will be fine.
If you're reading this post and you're a believer in prayer I ask that you say a prayer for Keith for the next several weeks.
God Bless and thank you.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Keith is definitely in my prayers. I pray for his health and your sanity. Stay positive and be strong.

Redheadedone said...

I will most certainly be praying for Keith and for you during this time. Medical issues are hard enough when they are our own, but for a child they are multiplied. Good luck, friend, and God bless.

terri said...

I can't begin to imagine how difficult the past few days have been. I will pray for Keith.

Bryan said...

Thank you very much, myundiary, LMV and Terri.
I am very thankful it's all benign and thanking God for that answered prayer. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. My main prayer now is Keith having the courage and strength to endure what he has to experience next month.
God Bless.

Marvin said...

Hurrah, God's watching out for Keith!

Bryan said...

Thanks, Marvin. That he is. :-)