October 2013, 2nd grade Connor got off the school bus and was crying. 5th grade bullies had taken his field trip goodies and shoved him against the bus window leaving a large bloody gash on the back of his head. During the night Connor started throwing up, so into East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Emergency Room we went to have his suspected concussion checked out.
During the wee hours of the morning the ER doctor came back into our room after evaluations and a CT scan and said “this concussion and wound are ok, but we found another area of concern. It appears Connor has a brain lesion. We will need to complete a sedated MRI, after waiting 8 hours from his last food and drink, to get a better look. Is he allergic to anything…”.
To a parent, I can’t even describe how terrifying, humbling, and gut-punching this news is, let alone needing to describe it to your spirit-filled, faith-forward, innocent, 7 year old little boy.
The MRI confirmed our fears: a brain lesion (tumor).
Next comes the questions, decisions, doctors’ appointments…fear, anxiety, agony, angst, worry…phone calls, prayers…all the things.
Based on Connors brain findings, which started as a concussion checkup from this school bus incident, no previous symptoms, and many other factors, we decided to have these sedated MRI’s in one month, then every three month increments to “watch for changes” in his lesion. After researching pediatric brain tumor neurosurgeons Connor’s Care Team consisted of God, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Dr. Harris, appointments with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Pediatric Neurosurgeon Dr. Stevenson and presently the also brilliant Dr. Savage and her team (what a cool name for a brain surgeon, Dr. Savage, right?!)
Over the next eight years, countless MRI’s, tests, parts of the story and questions raised to God and the Doctors: Why God are you not healing Connor? Why allow (insert any child or persons name here) with a brain tumor? What is the right course of action? What kind of tumor is this? Will there be more? Has the tumor grown? Is this headache or symptom from the tumor? Cancer? So many prayers, what-if’s, questions, so many unknowns.
Monday April 12, 2021 Connor underwent Stealth Craniotomy Tumor Resection with Dr. Savage and her brilliant team she has formed right in our backyard at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
God answers prayers. Not always how we understand on this side of the kingdom come, but they are heard & felt. We are so thankful for your support and encouragement to help more kids.
