11:13 am Monday 23rd, 2011–Sarah’s thoughts
Safe in God’s care…
Our spirits are sober, engaging in what needs to be done. We are resting in the confidence that God is in control. Not a hair can fall from Zach’s head with out the Father in heaven signing off and in fact, ordaining it. Stonewall Jackson, in the Civil War, answered someone who asked how he could be so fearless, “I belong to the Lord. I am as safe on the battle field as I am in bed.”
Surely, as my heart worries about the anesthesia, the exam, the pokes and pricks, and drawing fluid, even the removal of his eye, we must know that Zach is as safe in every procedure as he is in my arms or at my breast. He is in His Father’s keeping….
Surely this tumor has been ordained by our loving Father for His perfect purposes for our son and our family. “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord!” All of his purposes are GOOD and work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes (and that’s us!) How we must rest in his sovereign plan. Our souls are rooted in this truth even as we walk through these turbulent waters. Pray we would sink in deep to God’s presence. That even in the emotional turbulence, the tears, we would fix our eyes on Jesus who is the author and the perfecter of our faith. I think of what I heard from Mindy Caliguire, “Emotions make wonderful servants but terrible masters.” My emotions are fluctuating, but my spirit is at peace.
Arrival and waiting…
We arrived at Mott Children’s Hospital (U of M, Ann Arbor) this morning at 8:30. Tim and I prayed much over him, read Psalm 103 and I cried. He was doing very well, snuggling in my arms, wrapped in his blanket, resting peacefully. Tim’s parents arrived as we did, my parents arrived shortly after and prayed with us just before Zach went in for anesthesia. He went in at 9:45 for an MRI to confirm the size of the tumor and check the other eye and the pineal gland of the brain (the other area of concern). In the middle of the MRI Dr. Archer came and showed us what they’d seen so far. The tumor does in fact consume about 80% of his eye (it is in the vitreal fluid – the space between the retina at the back of the eye and the lens in the front). We are waiting for the MRI to be complete.
We are grateful to family and Pastor Alberta and our friend Bill visiting with us today.
Next, Zach proceeds to exam under anesthesia where the Doctor will look directly at both eyes. We will at that point consult with the surgeon prior to removal of the eye. After that they will also sample bone marrow and spinal fluid to look for evidence of any other cancer signs.
Area for ongoing prayer…
Retinoblastoma (Zach’s eye cancer) is particularly concerning because of the chances of the cancer traveling through the optic nerve to the brain. Removing the eye is actually the most conservative measure to take in terms of the cancer because if the tumor is enclosed in the eye there is the least risk of cancer spreading to the rest of the body. We have to win this battle with cancer decisively and rapidly. More later…
Sarah and Tim
. . . As I Follow Christ 
What a wonderful testimony to God’s perfect peace you are showing us all! I will continue to keep you in my prayers today. Thank you so much for keeping us updated on Zach and your day! May God continue to bless you and Keep you in His care!!
Thanks for the update, Sarah. We have been praying all day–my kids have been praying especially for your girls. So thankful that our God is sovereign. Continuing to pray….
I am praying for your family and precious Zach. Love to you all!! How old is Zach?
Tim and Sarah,
Bert and I are praying for Zach and holding you both and your family up as well. We know God is in control, and that is where the trust comes in which sometimes is very difficult. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and emotions as well as an update on Zach.
God Bless
Bert & Betty
Tim & Sarah,
We’re praying with you as you walk through this valley. We’re asking our Father to prevent this cancer from spreading any further and to obliterate it completely. We also continue to pray for peace, strength and comfort for you and your family.
I received a call from Lynda Champion with this news while I was driving to Chicago to meet our new grandson, Nathaniel, and to prepare to stay for a week to assist our Becky following her long labor and C-section. We are all greatly saddened by this news, and no incredibly wise words at present can be said. Be assured of the great love of so many for all of your dear family and good thoughts and prayers coming from Chicago too as I visit this week. Our love in Him, Georgean
Tim & Sarah,
It’s comforting to all of us to see the comfort of Christ by which, you yourselves, are comforted in this trial. We are grateful for your strong profession expressed in your blog.
Continuing to pray…..
John & Drema
Thank you for the updates.
I love these words from Psalm 138 for you.
Zach is the work of God’s hands. He will not be forsaken. Rather, God’s good purposes for your son’s life will be fulfilled. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
6(G) For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
8The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Dear Tim and Sarah,
I can see prayers answered already. Know that we are continuing to pray for you and that the Lord is sustaining you, even when you are not aware of His presence. In this time of much emotional angst, we have been praying that our Lord give you eyes to see and ears to hear what HE is doing in the midst of this situation with Zach.
Corrie Ten Boom once said, “Every experience and every person that God allows in our lives is the perfect preparation for our future that only He can see.” We trust that your faith and the prayers of faith of others comfort you and the girls, knowing that you, indeed, are in the Father’s arms.
Judith and Clare Darlington
AMEN!
Tim and Sarah
We too are praying trusting and resting… yet concerned, as you are also.
Much love – and no fear!
Dear Sarah and Tim,
I thank God for the two of you, and the witnesses you are for Him. Only God could lead you both on this road with precious Zach. Praise God that you, as well as Zach, are children of the Most High. May God who gives us what we need, when we need it, according to His riches and glory IN CHRIST JESUS. May He give you all that you need. May He take care of precious little Zach, who HE loves more than we know. I pray that God will sustain you both at this time. How awesome to know that our Father will bring you all through this, and watch over those darling daughters who await Zach’s recovery. We claim this and all things in Christ Jesus. With heartfelt and loving prayers for you all.