Tuesday, December 14 – A meaningful day
Today was a weird day. A day with so many feelings.
You see, 13 years ago in the very early hours of December 14, Heath received the gift of life. He had been on ECMO for 10 days waiting for a heart. We were exhausted and scared and shell-shocked and hopeful, all at the same time.
Please stop right now and give thanks for a beautiful little girl named Angelina, and her dear family, who made the decision to share the gift of life as they were in the worst moments of their lives. Her heart, her spirit, has been beating strongly within Heath’s chest all these years.
Heath has traveled the winding road of living with a heart transplant for 13 years. There have been ups and downs, of course, but this lymphoma has been a whole different level of hard and complex. Those don’t quite feel like the right words, but that’s all I’ve got this evening. Suffice to say, nothing with Heath’s precious body has ever been straightforward.
So, you really want to know what happened today, I know. We finally talked with our oncology team late this evening. First, it is almost totally good news. The PET/CT scans showed no evidence of any lymphoma anywhere else in Heath’s body. As we already knew, the mass is gone (I didn’t realize how big it was until I saw the side-by-side scans. wow). All that is good news! It’s amazing how great it feels to read the word “unremarkable” over and over about your child. 😉
We were really hoping for a shout it from the rooftops, “Heath kicked cancer’s ass!” kind of post. We’re pretty darn close to that, but alas, that complexity comes back into play…
There was a small spot in the colon that popped up on the scans and was difficult for all to read. It was in a place where contrast couldn’t go (due to ostomy). When you are looking for an “all clear,” even the smallest of spots makes the medical team pause and necessitates a closer look. The radiologist’s report said that PTLD is unlikely, but there will be a few more tests and at this point, some more scans following the “take down” (ostomy reversal) surgery, which is scheduled on December 28 and seems to be moving forward.
Goodness knows that while we wanted straightforward answers, we also join our hematology team in wanting to fully be able to shout “all clear!”
So, as I said earlier, this has been a weird, complicated, and full-of-feelings sort of day for many reasons. We are full of hope and exhausted and still a little anxious.
As Chris and I walked up to the house after a short dog walk, I looked up at our house, full of light. Everyone has been teasing me about all the lights I have added this year. EB called me the “crazy Christmas light lady” the other day. I just said, “hey, we cope how we cope…” Chris somewhat obsessively rakes leaves, I put up lights.
We move forward with hope, seeing the light that shines in the darkness. Literally and figuratively.
Remembering when God brought us together years ago. What a gift!!!
Keeping you all in prayer….
Merry Christmas!!!
Hugs and Love
That day 13 years ago is also one I will never forget. I will always know where I was when I found out (in the hallway of Faith Pres) and who I first saw and shared the news with (Bonnie). I will always be in awe of the gift that gave life to Heath, the other precious life and family who made that gift possible, and the hope that holds it – and us – all together. Sending you love and light always.
We have been so grateful for these updates, and hope the surgery on the 28th goes well and that we will be able to her the “all clear” shout soon after that all the way from Durham to Black Mountain. Love to you all.
Prayers continue 🙏🙏❤️ Thrilled about this report I must say. Praise God and prayers for continued clear scans, strength and peace to prevail!!
Carrie, I can absolutely feel how tired you are, just wanting one completely positive set of tests for your precious boy! I say, the more lights, the better — whatever gives you joy will give you energy to keep going! Heck, if you want lights in the bathroom, go for it! Hoping there’ll some respite now, cuddling up with your family, until the 28th. Blessings for rest and healing and strength. Love you, Terry
Remaining hopeful that you’ll get the all clear soon! We love you!!
Thank you, Chris, for writing with news of your family during this Advent Season.
I send love and gratitude to your precious Heath as the candles on Advent Wreaths
glow with hope for the world and most especially for Heath and his dear family.
Hugs all around-sl
One rakes leaves,🍂💕
The other puts up lights!
It takes all kinds of stuff
Morning, noon and nights!!
We’re praying for you, Heath
We want this Christmas near-
To fill your heart with hope,
And, take away your fear!!
Enjoy yourself, dear friend,
Remember you are loved,
By those of us who pray for you
And, our wonderful God above!!
Oops! Our God is everywhere
Even in a hospital room,
Or, on that crazy thing
That oftentime’s called ZOOM!!
So know you are surrounded
By love, it’s everywhere!
You’re in our hearts and minds
Because we really care!!🎄♥️
Much to be grateful for – thanks for this report! Prayers continue as further testing and 12/28 approaches. God’s got this, and we are praying! DV
God is good …and so is your news …I hope there is more to come
Have a blessed Holiday season
Prayers abound! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you, Lord for this good news and may more follow! Prayers continue.
We love seeing your lights across the street!
Love hearing the good news and seeing the beautiful lights.
Remain strong and hopeful. You are close to the last chapter of this story.
Healthy
Optimistic
Promise for the future
Enjoyment
Christmas Blessings to all.
Karen and Colie
Feeling more positive for you. Reversal surgery will be a blessing and hopefully the “spot” will be insignificant.
We are very similar. I put up Christmas trees and Tom rakes the leaves.
We give thanks and we continue tp ask for God’s grace to carry all of you. Faith and Hope and Love and Grace to all of you. A blessed Christmas for each and every one of you
We are thrilled about your good news and will continue to pray for all of you
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We are so grateful for the good news portion of this report. And, along with you and so many others, we have HOPE – especially in this Advent Season – for the future, and especially for Heath’s next report. May God grant each of you some times of peace this season. Much much love.
Heath Rada
What a day! Yes, don’t lose sight of the light in the darkness-the light that no darkness can extinguish.
Love to you all, and lots of prayers for a “shout it from the roof top” report after all the tests.
Prayers for a light filled Christmas in every way!
Sending prayers for peace and hope
❤️💚🙏🏻🙏🏻
Still praying 💜 Lots of love and good wishes
I, with all your Glenaire friends, rejoice! We love you.
Blanche
I remember that day 13 years ago and how grateful Mimi and Papa were – all of us here in Black Mountain were – to hear that Heath would have the gift of life. Haven’t stopped praying for him and all of you since then. Love the lights and the raked yard and those of you who live within that love-filled home.
What a season. We join so many others in praying for you all, who are walking through this so faithfully, and for Heath. Praying for an especially loud “all clear” and a few solid nights of sleep once these additional tests are complete! ❤️
May those lights burn bright with hope and live. May your sweet spirited boy grow stronger.
Prayers continue for everything each of your family members needs, especially Heath.
I suggest you keep those lights up all year. They are a beautiful sign of hope.
We have been thinking of you all constantly.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Yes. I well remember December 14, 2008. We got the news at Faith Pres. first thing that morning that Heath had a heart. We had hoped and prayed. Wow.
We’re still on our knees hoping and praying. That’s ok.
We’ll Keep Hoping and Praying and Loving…
Love the Leaves that distract you
Love the Lights, (More Lights Please)
Love Hope Pray
Hugs to All
What an amazing and full day, again on this December 14. Prayers for that remarkable young man, and more unremarkable doctor’s reports to come. Peace and Blessings with you all. 🙏
Oh happy day!! So glad for good news and answered prayers! Sending love.
Oh happy day!! So glad for good news and answered prayers <3
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
So much good news, and we will continue to pray for even more good news. ❤
❤️❤️❤️
The house is beautiful and glows with love. Prayers and love….
❤️❤️❤️
❤️
Thankful for this report. And praying that the question mark spot amounts to nothing at all. Blessed rest to and for you all. ❤️ N
“We cope how wee cope.”
Well said.
I think that’s a pretty healthy way to cope. ❤️
So glad to hear more positive news today. Praying for a positive close to this chapter for you.
Merry Christmas!
Hallelujah! May all be well ❤️
Giving thanks for all of you and sending love!
WOW! What a day! We are so grateful for the light that shines into your darkness tonight!!
You have been in our hearts all day
so we are extremely grateful for your update. Keep hope alive and hug Heath and each other for us:
Much love, Carlisle and Joe
I will never forget how I felt when I received your call at 3:00 am that day and how completely covered in Joy Light, Hope …all of it, I was. What a day. Now 13 years later, we are in a place we could not have imagined. Waiting is so hard but we wait with Hope. We string lights, rake leaves – whatever we need to do to get to “unremarkable”. Praying and hoping for more unremarkable news SOON!❤
Much love,
Gran Sarah
Been thinking about y’all all day! Feeling all the feels with you and continuing our prayers always, with extra ones for Angelina and her family <3
Sending hope from Black Mountain. This sounds like an excellent report!
The lights are beautiful! Love you all!