Prayer Request *Update*

9/3/09
This if from McShane's myspace page that I have just seen. 

Sep 02


Michael ... Just got some bad news::::: i have to get surgery tommorow.... there are 2 spots on the upper head of my femur and they are going to to do a biopsy on the site.
Mood: scared

--
The surgery may have already happened - I don't know.


Please pray for him and the surgeons. Oh Lord I would pray for a complete healing now, on this earth, in this time and for YOU to receive all the glory and that lives would be turned around and brought to YOU. I'm so humbled by your prayers, you just can't even know. On behalf of all of us, thank you. ~ Love, Cathy


8/20/09
I didn't realize it had been so long since I had updated anything about McShane. I guess it's because I don't really know a whole lot. He's having a rough time with the chemo and it's having some adverse affects on him. The last I heard his heart wasn't getting enough oxygen (because of the chemo drugs). His mom has been staying with him and Mike has been looking for work. (He came and helped us out with our kitchen a couple of weeks ago!) McShane had a Make-A-Wish day on 8/15/09. I believe he was picked up by a limo and taken to Best Buy where he was able to purchase a few things he really wanted (computer and games, I think). I think the reason we don't know more is because James & Mike talk about everything else but this. If you've ever been hit with cancer or a really sick person , I think you understand this statement. (I hope so because it's really hard to explain.) I know he still needs all sorts of prayers and we appreciate all the support and love.
~me

Scroll to bottom for latest news:

2/2/09
My husband's 13 yo nephew, McShane, has an abnormal growth behind his knee that appears to be some type of tumor. The doctors aren't sure if it's growing out of the bone or if it's wrapped around the bone. McShane & Mike (the dad) went to the doctor Thursday thinking it was something minor and were stunned to be referred to specialists. They are on their way today to New Orleans (they recently moved to Baton Rouge) for a biopsy. Mike was told he could expect to be there at least 2 - 3 days.
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2/5/09
Just wanted to provide y'all with a quick update on McShane.

Here's what he's facing:
Although McShane hasn't had a biopsy and cancer has not been confirmed, the initial thought is that he has osteosarcoma or ewings. Or, it's quite possible that it's a benign tumor that will need to be removed.

Mike & McShane checked into St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis yesterday. The hospital immediately started lab work. M & M will have a full day of lab and diagnostic tests.

McShane had a slight fever and a sore in his nose (I think that's right), which they aren't sure was the beginning of chicken pox, too much nose blowing or a fever blister. McShane was being quarantined last night and the hospital said they should know this morning why he was running a fever.

Mike says that McShane is just taking everything so far in stride. Mike, as you can imagine, is a wreck!

That's all I know for now. I'm praying for God to reveal Himself in a BIG WAY to Mike, McShane & James. We know how much God loves to show up and show off! James & I are planning on going to Memphis next weekend for a quick visit.

Thank you for your prayers. I know Mike, McShane & James appreciate them too.

From the American Cancer Society website:
Osteosarcoma (also called osteogenic sarcoma) is the most common type of cancer that develops in bone. Like osteoblasts of normal bone, the cells that form this cancer produce bone matrix. However, the malignant bone tissue of an osteosarcoma is not as strong as that of normal bones.
Ewing tumor is the second most common malignant bone tumor in children.
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2/9/09
Thank you for bearing with me through all of these prayer requests and updates. Honestly words just escape me of how appreciative I am, and I'm unable to express my gratitude with you. (This is sorta discombobulated because I'm trying to write it and work!)

McShane is scheduled to have a biopsy today. At some point (hopefully today), we will find out what all of his scans have shown, whether the tumor has metastasized and what the course of treatment will be. Best case scenario, this isn't osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and only McShane's kneecap will have to be reconstructed once the tumor is removed. I'm not even going to think about worse case :-). They were told Friday to plan on being at the hospital 6 to 9 months. Also, Mike will need to be with McShane 24/7. (Anyone have family in the Memphis area?)

I'm looking forward to seeing McShane this coming weekend! I'll continue to keep you posted on him. (If you don't want updates, please do not hesitate to let me know. I don't want to overburden anyone with constant emails.)

Here are two verses I'm claiming for them:
Mark 11:23-24 (HCSB)
23 I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them.

2/12/09
McShane is having his biopsy today at 10:00. He will be having tissue samples from his knee and his lungs. (They found three spots on his lungs.) So, today is the day we find out whether he has cancer or just a nasty tumor. McShane’s spirits are good.

Thank you in advance for your prayers!

Everything always changes around from when it's supposed to happen to it actually happening. I'll keep this post updated as I know something.

2/16/09
We had a good time hanging out with McShane & Mike this past weekend. St. Jude's is HUGE! McShane finally got discharged from inpatient at 7 Saturday night, so we all headed over to their temporary home at the Ronald McDonald House (which is HUGE too!). While we were waiting, the boys (James, Mike, McShane & Daniel) played Wii Golf & Bowling. Each of the rooms had a Wii! I knew better than to even try to play, plus I didn't think I could handle all the abuse they were dishing out to each other!

I had the tumor placement wrong in my initial email. McShane has a knot on the front of his right knee, which is why he went to the doctor just a short 2 weeks ago! His knee was pretty swollen from the biopsy - I was assured it didn't look quite so swollen before the biopsy.
Mike went down to Baton Rouge today to get some work done and move their stuff out of the house they are renting. McShane's grandfather is with McShane. I bet he didn't quite know what all he'd have to do! Shew - they were going to be all over the hospital today.

One of the sweetest things McShane said to me was Saturday night before we left. I was giving him a hug and he said, "Please pray for me". Oh it still tears me up. I assured him there were many folks praying for him and I told him I'd give him the website address to see what people have written. (For those of you who couldn't comment, I added the comments to the post!) *waves to McShane* Hey sweetheart!

I imagine it'll be a few days before there's anything new to report. I'll update when I know. Until then, thank you again for your prayers and sweet comments. It's so appreciated.

2/23/09

I don't have too much to update you on. Mike is still in Baton Rouge trying to get a job finished up, and we've been trying to leave him alone so he can concentrate on the job. In comparison, we're probably just a minor annoyance, but you get the drift.

James called Mike Sunday night and found out that McShane started his chemo on Friday, 2/20/09. He really wants his dad back with him. He's in the hospital while he's receiving treatment. Mike is trying really hard to get back to Memphis.

Some people have asked about sending them cards or things. If you'll email me at cathy.m.davis@gmail.com I will gladly let you know the address and contact information.

3/1/09
I don't have a lot to update you on, which is why I've put off adding an update. Here's what I know - McShane has had 2 chemo treatments on 2/20 and 2/21. When I talked to Mike on Friday, 2/27, he said that McShane wasn't feeling well and the doctors would wait to see how he reacted to the chemo before they scheduled more chemo. They run tests after the chemo, but Mike didn't know what the results of the tests were.They were moving from the Ronald McDonald House to the Target House. I don't know if that move has happened with all the snow Memphis had (8 inches last I saw!).

Mike got back from Baton Rouge on Tuesday/Wednesday and is headed back down there tomorrow for a week. There is a sweet woman named Lynn who has stayed with McShane in the past (when Mike had to work out of town) who is in town for the week.

So, this is what I know for now. Thank you for your continued prayers for McShane, Mike and our family. I wish I could be huddled in a circle with each of you, holding hands and praying out loud. Now that, my sweet friends, is some fellowship!

3/2/09
This morning I receive a text from James which says...I forgot to tell you that McShane has a staph infection in his leg and is back in the hospital. FORGOT TO TELL ME??

So, I'm telling you - McShane is in the hospital with a staph infection. I don't think I need to tell you how serious this is for someone with a compromised immune system. So, I'm just going to ask for extra prayers!

3/4/09
We found out that yesterday morning, McShane had emergency surgery to remove the infection. The infection wasn't deep (from what I understand).

Mike is down in Baton Rouge wrapping things up and moving out of their house.

I'm praying for McShane's healing so he will be a beacon of God's light and for Mike & McShane to have courage to face the journey ahead of them. All ALL for God's Glory!

They did get moved in to the Target House, which is set up like apartments! So, they have 2 bedrooms and their own kitchen. The RMH was more like a hotel room with shared open spaces.

3/12/09

Good morning! I wanted to give you a quick update on what I know about McShane and Mike.

McShane's recovered from the staph infection, I'm guessing, because he's being admitted to the hospital today to start another round of chemotherapy. Mike told James they were going to try a different drug this time.

This will be McShane's second round of chemo. Mike said McShane has started losing his hair so they cut his hair short. (Chemo - it's no one's friend and it doesn't care what it does to you.)

3/30/09

All the tests show that the tumor has NOT grown! We are ecstatic about that! My mom (a/k/a GiGi) is spending the week with McShane while Mike closes shop in Baton Rouge. McShane & GiGi have never met, but GiGi figures if he's my family, he might as well be her family. I hope they don't wear each other too much. You might keep 'em both in your prayers.

I don't have really any more information other than this and this is really the first update I've gotten since the last one! Thank you, thank you for the continued prayers. God loves it when we come to Him in pray and doing so on behalf of someone else is so special to Him.

5/4/09

I'm sorry it's been so long since I've updated you on McShane. His treatment has just been steady going with some minor bumps along the way. James & I were able to go to Memphis a couple of weeks ago and it was good to see how well McShane was doing.

He's lost his hair and the place where he had his leg biopsy is nasty wound. He has some type of wound sucking machine hooked up to his leg. The chemo has made it so it's hard for him to heal so he's just keepin' on keepin' on. His spirits are pretty good. Also, he knows exactly what is going on and is determined to not be a statistic of defeat.

Pretty soon, he'll be having surgery on his leg. I do not know all the specifics, but here's what I do know...The doctor will be cutting his leg open from above the knee to about midway down his shin. They will be removing the tumor and his knee parts (but not his knee cap). They will be inserting a steel rod into his femur and one of the other bones (I don't know if it's the fibula/tibia/both) and they will rebuild his knee. He will be in a wheelchair for a number of weeks. He wants to be able to walk by June 22, which is his 14th birthday. He seemed scared and apprehensive about this surgery (and who could blame him)?

He was supposed to have surgery this Thursday, 5/7; however, the chemo has left his mouth full of painful sores and they want him to heal from those.

As soon as I know more, I will let you know. If you want his mailing address, please let me know. I'm sure he'd love to receive cards and things! If you know of people in Memphis who you think would be willing to go and visit with McShane & Mike, please email me for the contact information.

5/16/09
Next week, May 22, 2009, McShane will be having his "limb-salvage" surgery. As you can imagine, this is an extremely invasive surgery. All prayers are appreciated. More details to come as I know more.

Thank you for praying for McShane and Mike. It means more than we'll ever be able to tell you.

5/22/09
McShane is out of surgery. Doc was optimistic. More tomorrow.

6/4/09
Here's my request for McShane. Please keep him in your prayers and lift him UP. I know God can do ALL THINGS and I'm believing Him and thanking Him for those answered prayers. ______________________________

I just got off the phone with James, who just got off the phone with Mike, regarding McShane. (James is doing his "field" thing and talking to him right now is very sparce.) The skin graft that McShane had during his surgery did not take. (I don't know what the skin graft was for.) The plastic surgeon came in a bit ago and said that McShane has got to have emergency surgery because it looks like the muscle in his leg is dying. He wanted to have surgery today but McShane had ingested some milk today.

The plan as I understand it to have surgery tomorrow morning on his leg. McShane has been having trouble healing since the chemo started and this was one of the concerns we had following the surgery. Just that he'd be really slow to heal. I'm not surprised the skin graft didn't take, but I am surprised to hear of the problems it is causing. There is a chance that he will lose his leg. (You might recall that the surgery was called limb salvaging surgery so there has been that fear anyway.)

Please pray for the surgeon's hands to be guided by the Ultimate Healer! I pray for McShane's healing and I really hope he'll be able to keep his leg and will have full use of that leg! I'm believing God and I know He's got McShane in the palm of His hands. Thank you dear ones for your continued prayers. I love you so!


6/8/09
McShane is supposed to go back in for more surgery today. I'm praying praying praying. Thank you for praying with me.


6/10/09
The surgeon has recommended an amputation of McShane’s leg because the muscle that was moved around during his first surgery is dying. In lieu of amputation, McShane could have another type of surgery where they take a muscle from his back and put it in his leg (to replace the dying muscle). Mike has to make a decision today. Last I heard, he's waiting to see a pathology report that should be ready today, and he’s leaning towards amputation. McShane said he would like to keep his leg, but understands if he can’t. Can you even imagine? (I hope you can’t.) Without stating the obvious…I’m not male, nor is this my son or daughter going through all of this. I can’t imagine the stigma of not having a leg and maybe legs means more if you’re a male. As a mother, I would just want what is best for my child and I would follow the surgeon’s advice ~ especially when he said “If this was my son, I would amputate his leg.” My heart hurts for them. I’m tender about all the things they are going through that I have so many prayers that I just can’t seem to put them in words to share with anyone. I’ve asked for a lot of prayer during this situation and I honestly appreciate the fact that you allow me to ask. I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart. So, instead of asking for someone sorta specific, I’m just asking you to pray as you feel lead. May God bless you and smile down on you for interceding on their behalf.

6/15/09

Here's what I think I know. I say it this way because my information is coming from voice mails and "myspace" status messages. This isn't the most reliable way to relay information and it surely isn't detailed. BUT, I wanted to let you know what I know because so many of you have been so sweet and kind and asked about Mike and McShane (and James and me).

This is what I know: "McShane had his right leg amputated on Thursday. On Saturday or Sunday, he was able to get out of bed and get on crutches!"

I know that God has a plan for this family and He will do what is best for all of us. While I keep feeling like I have to carry the load, His word tells me that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. All I have to do is ask. He sure knows I can't do anything without Him and I cannot change the current situation. I'm believing God will answer our prayers and that the answer we receive will be for His glory.

I thank you so much for your prayers and the care you have shown to each of us. On a side note, McShane's 14th birthday is next Monday. His goal (before any of the surgery) was to be able to walk by then. If he's already gotten out and gotten on the crutches, I believe he's well on his way!

6/16/09

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This picture speaks volumes.

8/20/09

I didn't realize it had been so long since I had updated anything about McShane. I guess it's because I don't really know a whole lot. He's having a rough time with the chemo and it's having some adverse affects on him. The last I heard his heart wasn't getting enough oxygen (because of the chemo drugs). His mom has been staying with him and Mike has been looking for work. (He came and helped us out with our kitchen a couple of weeks ago!) McShane had a Make-A-Wish day on 8/15/09. I believe he was picked up by a limo and taken to Best Buy where he was able to purchase a few things he really wanted (computer and games, I think). I think the reason we don't know more is because James & Mike talk about everything else but this. If you've ever been hit with cancer or a really sick person , I think you understand this statement. (I hope so because it's really hard to explain.) I know he still needs all sorts of prayers and we appreciate all the support and love.

~me

Cathy
Mark 11:23-24 (HCSB)
I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them.