Funny thing how life changes in a blink of an eye. One minute you are cracking jokes about how the Dr. must have used a baseball bat to perform your surgery and the next, you are being told “this is really serious, you have clear cell sarcoma”.
I always marvel at the way God works. His ways are mysterious, surprising and always beyond my imagination. However, using a calf to show us this cancer might just take the cake.
The whole story…
About ten months ago Kelly was working the cows and one of the calves managed to crush the top of his left foot. It hurt, he danced around a bit then got back to work. It was sore but in true form, he finished the job. It bruised and then pretty much went away. A couple of months ago it really started bothering him and a pretty good bump had formed. He went to our family doctor who referred him to a podiatrist. Dr. Cranford looked at Kelly’s foot and said “it’s a bone spur, I do this surgery about 500 times a year, no big deal”.
There was no emergency so we scheduled it for after the Spartan Race, Friday, November 9. Surgery went well, and the follow up was scheduled for the 20th. We got a call Monday afternoon at 5:30 asking us to come in at 8:30 Tuesday morning (13th). We were a bit irritated at the late notice but really didn’t think much about it. But….the story took a turn when we arrived at the appointment.
During the surgery, Dr. Cranford had seen something that “just didn’t look right”. He then sent a specimen off to pathology and it had come back positive for this very rare cancer. A cancer you do not ordinarily find before it is really hard to treat.
During this appointment, a lot of very bad information was shared.
#1 This cancer is very aggressive and very rare
#2 it never originates from the foot so it came from somewhere else in your body and we’ll have to find it
#3 you may lose your foot
#4 the survival rate (once it has spread) is about 50% for 5 years
Suffice it to say…Our God is so much bigger and had a MUCH DIFFERENT PLAN!
On Thursday, Kelly had a full body petscan and an appointment with an orthopedic oncologist.
RESULTS: no cancer found anywhere else in his body. NONE!!! Odds of that happening were 1 in a million –literally 🙂 But really guys, we know who is in charge here….and it is not us.
Next Steps: There is still cancer in the foot and it has now been disturbed because of the surgery (thankfully). Kelly will have another surgery Monday morning at 8:30 to basically take a big chunk out of the top of his left foot. There is a very good chance he will lose some function because of the damage surgery will cause.
After this surgery, the wound will have to stay open for a while to heal. Plastic surgery will follow in a few weeks to do a skin graft to cover the wound. 6 weeks of radiation will follow that process.
This poor left appendage…it just can’t catch a break!
Soooo…this calf who stomped Kelly’s foot, and caused the bone spur…is the reason this very bad cancer was found VERY EARLY! God really does work in mysterious ways.
Listen to His Voice,
Lee Ann
PS…I’m borrowing Kelly’s blog to share this story. I’ll try to check in every few days to let our friends/family know how things are progressing. If you’d like to drop a card or note our address is P.O. Box 764, Bonham, TX 75418
I’m sure Kelly would appreciate the diversion.
So sorry to hear this but glad at the same time! Everything is going to be ok! We are here for y’all! Let us know if we can be of help in anyway! Prayers for y’all! God is great! I will keep an eye on Joyce and Pa, I’ll take care of them! We love y’all!
Prayers for the journey! Our God is sovereign!
nice to know that on a journey of unknowns we have a God who is sovereign over everything!
Sorry this had happened but as you say God is in control . May not see you but just know you An your wife visited us an it was so appreciated I want forget t pray for you an keep you thank of you . My dil was not so fortunate hers come back in her lungs now she taking chemo three at the time . Lord watch over Kelly an his wife an family .
Thanks Ms. Nelda. Prayers and blessings to you and yours. Kelly
You know he has our prayers for both him and his surgeon.
yes we do…please continue and know we appreciate each and every prayer.
Thank God for that ornery calf! Prayers being lifted. So grateful to our Father. Love you guys!
thank you Kristy. We are grateful on so many levels. Knowing you and others are lifting Kelly up in prayer is at the top of that list!
We are lifting you up to seek the best from our Father. We are praising Him for His faithfulness!
love being lifted up the Father by good and faithful friends. it truly gives one a measure of peace.
I am confident in one thing as I read this horrible news. God has a plan for this, we do not know what or how the good will come, but come it will.
The Kemp’s, are our rock of Gibraltar, as I know they are for many. Prayers for all of you.
We love you,
Gonsoulin’s.
thank you Kevin. I love these friendships that go back years yet never change with time. We have been blessed beyond measure with wonderful friends and family who will be with us through whatever comes. hugs to all of you!
God works in mysterious ways. You better name this calf and never sell or butcher him. He needs his own room,too.
God has a plan and He will take care of everything. So sorry you are having to go through this. Yall will be our prayers through out this journey. Love to all.
as much as I hate to admit it…this little calf has already been sold. We just simply had no idea or it would’ve become a pet! And you’re right, he would deserve his own room and anything else he wanted. Thank you for your prayers and please keep them coming.
Praying for Kelly. Very happy to hear the cancer has not spread.
blessings abound even in this…
Lee Ann I had no idea that Kelly had anything going on. Prayers to you both!
We didn’t either! Funny how things can change so quickly!!! Thank you for your prayers. We do truly appreciate them.
We will definitely be praying for him and you Lee Ann and all medical staff treating this issue! If there is anything at all y’all need please let us know! The Providence of God is a powerful thing!
Thank you for your prayers. We do truly appreciate them not only for ourselves but for those treating Kelly. God’s hand hand has guided us this far and we know He will continue.
Prayers for surgery to go well… God does work in mysterious ways… so thankful the cancer was found.. bless the little calf that stomped your foot… Praying for you and all your family. We will be looking for updates.
Our love… Joe and Jan
Not sure I ever understood the true meaning of “mysterious ways” but am getting a better understanding of it 🙂 We so appreciate your thoughts and prayers for Kelly and myself.
Tim and I will continually pray for your family. Thank you for keeping us informed about this journey. You’re not traveling alone. You have a lot of family and friends who are prayerfully walking beside you.
we covet those prayers! I don’t know how people do this without loved ones surrounding them. As far as the that other “offer” is concerned…we are looking forward to it!