When my son, Josh, was 8 years old, we discovered that he had a brain tumor on his optic nerve. Through the next six years, he had 5 major brain surgeries and radiation therapy, until they told us that it was hopeless. But God had other plans and Josh was miraculously healed 3 weeks after his final diagnosis. However, it left him with 30% of his vision in his right eye and totally blind in his left eye, and on a regimen of daily medications.
Despite the handicaps Josh graduated from high school and then college. After college he applied and was accepted at Medical College and graduated with a Masters Degree.
After college, Josh married his sweetheart, Kelly, and soon after they moved to Colorado to start a new life and career. Kelly became pregnant with their son, Luke, but then tragedy struck again when Josh suffered a debilitating stroke that affected his entire right side.
They moved back home and Josh still obtained medical employment in Georgia and continued to work in a supervisory position. Luke was born and it seemed like they were finally back on the road of life.
About two years ago, Josh suddenly began having seizures. Only one or two at first occasionally, but then several a month and now up to 4-6 per week.
He was admitted to Vanderbilt University Hospital in March for a week session of studying his epilepsy and gathering information.
Today, we learned that they are going to put him in again for more invasive testing (involving drilling up to 20 holes in his skull and inserting leads into his brain in several locations) to determine the location of the seizures, and after that, they will possibly attempt a difficult brain surgery to remove the portion of his brain at the origin of his seizures.
Josh had to leave his job in the medical field last year, as you cannot work with children if you have seizures. He has filed for disability, but we have learned that it sometimes takes over 2 years to receive your first check. Kelly is working but often has to miss work, trying to be at Josh’s appointments and hospital stays as well as keeping up with 9-year-old Luke, who loves playing on his baseball team.
We don’t know what the future holds for this precious family, but God healed him once and I just know, that He can heal him again.
Unfortunately, the bills continue to pile up with very little income. They are going to have to sell their home and prepare for massive medical bills and somehow try to hang on until their future is clearer.
As his Dad and Mom, we are desperately asking for 3 things. 1) that you would add Josh to your prayer list, 2) that you would help with any amount, and 3) that you would please share this story on your social media outlets.
We trust that God will see us all through this and that He will bless you abundantly for your help.
Thank you so very much.
