The scariest thing

I think that anyone who has children will agree... children are our greatest joy and our biggest worries. This became abundantly clear to me when our then 11 year old daughter was diagnosed with a parotid gland tumor. I still almost faint just hearing the word. TUMOR.

Caitlyn had a lump on the side of her face that came on quickly and grew to about the size of a peach pit. We were sent to an ENT and they immediately did a CT scan. She was petrified and so was I. As we sat there in silence together, waiting for results, our minds wandered to the same, dark place... what if...

Although the diagnosis was bad, the treatment plan was put into place and explained thoroughly. Knowledge is power. She was given steroids first to help shrink the tumor. Then 6 weeks of mega doses of penicillin. Then another CT scan to see what else would be needed in case surgery to remove the tumor was necessary. They don't generally like to do this on children since it tends to be disfiguring and involves nerve damage, both very scary thoughts to a girl who has aspirations of becoming a model one day.

I'm sad to say that I didn't pray on a regular basis, but I surely did then! I asked WHY? I prayed for healing for her. I prayed for strength. I promised I'd do a better job of praying, if only...

My prayers were answered! The tumor started shrinking almost right away after the steroids, and after 6 weeks of antibiotics, the CT scan was CLEAR! I still thank God every day, and pray for others who are forced to wander to that dark place called fear. Believe in miracles!