Please Pray

Please pray for Doug's brother, Derek, his wife, Leann, and their three children.   


A 1 1/2 inch tumor has been found behind Derek's eardrum. It has already destroyed much of the bone tissue in the area around his ear.  It is growing in against the brain and putting pressure there as well.   


Please pray that the tumor is NOT cancerous and that there is not any further damage done during surgery.  Surgery in this area is difficult because the facial nerve, which controls facial motion on the right side of his face, runs through the same area .  The Dr. also does not expect that Derek will recover hearing in his right ear. 


An angiogram has lead the Dr. to guess that the tumor is an Endolymphatic Sac Tumor, but will not know for sure until surgery, which will be done to remove some or all of the tumor and determine whether it is cancerous or benign.  How aggressive he is with the surgery will depend upon what type it is.  If it did turn out to be cancerous, he would remove as much as possible but there would be a high risk of facial nerve damage in that case.  There may then be radiation treatment of some sort.  It is too early to know the prognosis.

Please also pray for their doctor -- Dr Klopfenstein, that the right steps are taken and that God will give Derek and family the grace to endure this difficult time and that they will be able to trust in God above all else.  It has been a hard week for them.  Thank you so much for your prayers!