Back from a long hiatus (sorry)...
Although it's been a year since we last posted, we wanted to circle back and send an update for everyone about Z and his current status.
Z is at UVA hospital getting a brain biopsy this morning. The biopsy sample taken last February diagnosed the lesion in his brain as radiation-damaged tissue, and he has been undergoing intensive treatments and therapies through a very difficult past year. Over the past month, the swelling has spread and his symptoms have worsened significantly, so Z's doctors feel that they need to take immediate action to ensure that he is receiving the proper treatment to keep him on the road to recovery.
Here is a message from Z's mom, Gail:
This morning Z went into brain surgery for the fourth time. Ten years ago as I was sleeping on the floor of his room after his first, at 4 am a team of about 6 residents threw open the door switched on the lights and asked if the neuro-oncologist had been in to see my son. No mother should ever have to hear those two words in the same sentence...son and oncologist. There have been tremendous challenges as well as victories over these past 10 years, and while no one would choose this path, I am blessed to have been able to walk beside Z who handles everything with such grace. Today he and I were waiting for him to go back to the operating suite and I held his hand and asked the Lord to hold him close and guide the surgeons hands and keep him safe with an army of angels. We finished with Amen. Z then asked if he could say a prayer, he said "Lord watch over my caregivers, this isn't easy for them on this journey just like its not easy for me. Keep them Lord while I am back there because I can't take care of them Lord, but you can. Ok ,that's all I've got. Amen". It has been humbling to be Z's mom,I have always felt that I learned so much more from him than I could ever have taught him. Thank you again for every single prayer, words of encouragement, or financial support. I may be physically present as caregiver but you all constitute his caregiving team and I will never be able to thank you adequately for that. In hope, Gail
Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers over the next few days, and don’t hesitate to send him a message to cheer him on and let him know how loved he is!
Comments (3)
Gail, I'm thinking of you and sending thoughts of hope and peace your way ... for you, for Brannon, and for all those who love him... ((((Hugs))) for you.
God - the Father of us all - shine your mercy on Z, as we lift him up to you for healing. Please give the doctors the knowledge they need. Please give comforst to Dani and his Mom.
Dani and Z, please know that Madeline (now Legacy U13), Clare, Lauren, and Sean Allburn think of you often. God bless you, your families an doctors.