Pathology

On this hot June day, our news of pathology was delivered. It was not what we wanted to hear but at least now we know what we are dealing with and can now begin gathering information to combat it. It is a stage 4 Glioblastoma. We were told that's a broad term with many variations of tumors in the category. The molecular analysis is still pending and could be next week before we hear those particulars. So for now, it's this.

We will be heading back to Nashville next week for our first meeting with the Neuro Oncologist and Radiation Oncologist. A plan will be devised and implemented. We know for sure there will be chemo and radiation. From there, there are hundreds of clinical trials to sift through. It's a lot to unpack. One day at a time.

Dr. Thompson told us in the first meeting he is an optimist and a realist. What I have explained is reality. The positives are his age, the enhancements have been removed (95%+ of the tumor is gone), he's neurological well, and he's otherwise healthy. For this, we are grateful.

Those are the facts. But God. As his mother, I will be cheering him on as I always have at every little league game his entire life. We will be focused. We will be forthright. There are many uncertainities in life. As Kathy Keller says, "God doesn't give us grace for our imagination." He gives it in abundance otherwise.

We love you all and covet your continued prayers as we move forward,
Gretchen

Coming Home

Yesterday (Sunday), Nathan was discharged from Vanderbilt Medical. We drove him (slowly) back to the hotel where he wanted to stay one night before traveling home. This morning, we loaded up two cars and drove back to Knoxville.

Nathan will be staying with us for a few days. It has been comforting to be able to care for him here and Elizabeth too. They are easy and we love them.

Nathan will still stay on some prescriptions like the Keppra (anti-seizure medicine), rest and try to regain strength from having his head opened up and stapled and screwed back together. It is amazing that his head does not hurt more than he admits it does.

In a few days, we will get the pathology report describing the type of tumor that was carefully removed, and yet as skillful as the surgeon was, some stray cells still remain. We hold our breath waiting on that report and continue to pray for the Lord to give mercy, much mercy.

Thank you so much for standing with us with your prayers. Your incredible generosity, unstoppable faithfulness and relentless love mean so much more than you can imagine. Thank you and God Bless YOU!

Buddy

first day post surgery

hey yall! hannah here. i will be short and sweet since its time to get the kiddos to bed. nathan has had a really great day, besides having the worst headache of his life (which he still only rated a 6 out of 10.) he had physical therapy come by this morning and he basically made a joke of their tests. he blew it out of the water...the only way nathan does things. he took a total of 3 walks today. he's speaking very well, but doesn't too often because it hurts his head. he's also asking us to be quiet a lot.

we met with doc thompson to go over the post surgery mri results this morning. he was THRILLED with the results. he is such a great doctor. i can't say enough good things about him. when he swung by to round he was just in street clothes with his son.

oh! and before i forget to add it.. heres the mri (the dark spot shows the hole where the tumor was):

the other great news from doc thompson is that he thinks nathan should be able to discharge tomorrow. he said  "hospitals are for sick people." i love that guy. soooo... elizabeth and i were laughing tonight that we had longer hospital stays with uncomplicated births than nathan has with brain surgery. my brother is so inspiring on so many levels.

i am so excited that nathan will get to see jack for fathers day since jack isn't allowed in his room right now. so pumped nathan is up, walking, talking, drinking, eating... you name it! it's such an answer to prayer. God is so good. thank you all for continuing to check on nathan and for lifting him up in prayer. more updates tomorrow!

peace and love,
hannah

Awake in the ICU

Nathan has just been moved to ICU. Two at a time can go back to see him. The good news is that Nathan is speaking, which we were warned could be an issue. When I came in, he whispered, "Pathology?" I told him that we don't know that yet, but we will in a week.

He was thirsty and the nurse brought him a Sprite which he was able to drink from the straw and even hold the cup. So, those are really good signs. He is also sensitive to noises and sounds. He wanted his door shut because the nurses that were talking in the hall were bothering him. So, he is resting now in a quiet room with Elizabeth at his side and a little cup of Sprite close by his right hand.

  

Post Surgery

Everyone, 

Dr. Reid Thompson just came out to meet the family and friends that have been huddled here all day waiting for his report.

He said that the surgery went well. He described his surgery as both aggressive and careful. He was aggressive to get as much of it out as possible but he was also careful to know when to stop to avoid damaging this key speech area of his brain.

As the enhanced MRI’s had already revealed, there is a fast-growing part to this tumor. However, it will take a week for pathology to correctly identify its type and stage, as well as examine its molecular structure, which is used in determining how this will be treated going forward.

Dr. Thompson also warned us that Nathan may well struggle to find his words since this tumor was sitting on the speech part of his brain, but any difficulty speaking should dissipate over time.

Of course, we all sit here with as many questions as we came here with. But, we must wait; wait for the definitive diagnosis and wait for the discussion about how it will be best treated going forward.

Although we all wanted a quick sprint, this is going to be more of a marathon. We are so grateful for your prayers and many expressions of love for Nathan and we can now only ask that you will run this marathon with us in continuing to stand with us in prayer and your support for Nathan, his family and his future.

Buddy Sexton

Surgery in Process

Yesterday morning, Nathan and I walked around Centennial Park in Nashville as he talked about the importance of and how to hire “empathic people.” Last night, as we talked and ate snacks around a hotel lobby table, Nathan got emotional. He has only teared up a few times since all this madness began.

With his son Jack sitting on his lap, he explained his emotion was triggered because he was concerned for all of us, particularly what it must be like to be me with a son about to go into brain surgery. Imagine that. You are about to go into brain surgery and you are getting upset thinking how your family must feel right now. Who does that? Nathan, our Nathan, the Nathan that so many of you know and have rallied behind in so many different ways. A truly compassionate, caring, sensitive, guy that just “gets it” when, frankly, most of us would understandably only be thinking about ourselves a few hours away from having a window cut into our cranium.

Nathan slept well last night. Thank you Lord. This morning, we all met in the lobby at 6:00 am and took Nathan to the hospital, just a few minutes away. After being admitted, we all hugged him and he and Elizabeth went into the prep area until it was time to take him into surgery. Once the “Happy Juice” began to flow, Elizabeth did send us a video of Nathan grinning and referring to his surgery hair net has his “Party Hat.” A needed light moment in a land of lead here at the hospital.

So, now we wait.  We have a large group of mostly family and a few friends that are all gathered in the on the 6^th Floor Neuro ICU Waiting area, many on their cell phones, laptops and tablets. It is the modern era.

To me, the minutes feel like hours and the hours feel like days. Time is flowing like thick molasses on a cold day.

Later today, Dr. Thompson will come and meet with us to tell us how the surgery both went and perhaps suggest a preliminary idea of the identity of the tumor. Brain tumors are labeled by both cell type and aggressiveness (1-4).  Unfortunately, they can’t get it all through surgery. There are always unseen malevolent cells that remain concealed and are left behind. Lord, please give wisdom and bless the treatment that will follow this surgery today. Empower it to destroy all remnants of these tiny terrorists and heal my boy, my only son. Please Lord… Please Lord.  

We all could not be more thankful for your persistent prayers, your incredibly generous donations and the many expressions of love and care toward my son and those of us that hurt when he hurts. What a caring community that has surrounded him! I just keep hearing the words of Jesus, “As you have done to the least of these, so you did it to me.” And you have…. done it to Jesus with each prayer, text, email, donation and words of love out of your concern for Nathan. THANK YOU!!

Would indulge me for a moment for the private reflection of a malfunctioning minister? We all have our private relationship with the Lord, and that is a good thing. But make no mistake; there will come a day when you will need more than you can produce alone – you will need the prayers and support of God’s people. Yes, of course, we need the Lord, but we also need his redeemed people beside us. We simply are not complete alone. Even in Paradise, being alone was the only thing that was “not good.” That is why the God-Figure in Luke 15 rejoiced when the lone sheep, the lost coin and the isolated son were finally back with the others where they belonged. Even heaven itself is a coming home to be together forever. Whether we realize it or not, we need the Body of Christ. Sadly, life’s harsh hand has a way of teaching you that lesson at some point or another. If I missed it before, I do no longer. The door to God’s most intensive classroom is always locked from outside. There is no way out but in patiently trusting Him and learning the lesson that we would miss, if given an open door from which to escape. From the lips of a terrible receiver, I have so needed you. Thank you.

God Bless you and from the bottom of my heart, thank you!!

Buddy Sexton 

Love Does

As I prepare for surgery tomorrow (mentally and physically), I want to personally thank each and every person who has prayed for us, brought us food, paid for hotel rooms, made donations, and/or offered to help in a myriad of other ways.

What amazes me about all of this is the sheer number of people who banded together to make all of this happen. As Bob Goff talks about in his book, Love Does, just being there for someone in need is a true representation of God's love for us. I love Bob's quote:

“I used to want to fix people, but now I just want to be with them.”

Bob loves like God loves, and in one way or another, every person reading this blog has shown up to the table to be with me and shown me firsthand what God's love looks like. It brings tears to my eyes knowing how many people love me and want me to beat this thing. It is truly amazing, and there is nothing I will ever be able to do to repay you. Nothing, but next time you are in need, I promise I will show up at that table with you, if only just to sit and be present.

God is using this time to teach me about being on the receiving end of help, which is really hard for me, but it will make me a better husband, father, leader, manager, etc. because I know now it is ok to ask for help. I don't have to do this on my own. It has been one of the hardest lessons I have learned, and luckily, I was forced into learning it. I had no choice, and I am a better man because of it.

In closing, you all have taught me so much about God's love. About showing up when it is necessary, not when it is convenient. Whether you know it or not, you all taught me that it is ok to ask for help. I don't have to do this on my own. My biggest sin (and there are a lot) is trying to control my own life, which is not healthy. If nothing else, the situation I have been put in has really forced me to rely on God. To trust in Him. To let Him help you. To let others help you.

This has been a much needed lesson to learn, and I want to thank you for teaching it to me.

Love,
Nate