From the Friends of Caleb

This blog is to support Caleb Evins and his battle with Cancer

Friday, May 27, 2016

Like Navy Seal Training

Not sure if my analogy is perfect-but I've always been intrigued by the cool movies and videos that show the difficulties of the Navy Seal Training that takes place mainly off the San Diego Coast.  I admire anyone who has gone through that kind of difficulty for such a lengthy amount of time.  It is amazing to see these men and women struggle as they are sent out to sea in full gear and try to float for immense amounts of time.  The grueling physical challenges that are faced is truly an amazing tribute to the American Spirit. 

So, I think Caleb's recovery from not being able to breathe at all by himself is a little like this.  One difference is that he didn't ask for the horrible disease and treatment plan that followed.  At least the Seals are there because they love the physical challenge that faces them.  Like a Navy Seal-Caleb these last two weeks wakes up facing an incredible physical endurance battle.  His battle is to breath-like the Navy Seal trying to keep his breath under water or wallowing in the sea with his full gear on.  Caleb's battle is to deal with all of these strange tubes entering his body in every place imaginable. It just "sucks" as kids say today.  Except that word isn't even close to describing the struggle he's going through.  It is hard to watch my young son suffer-he is suffering much more than I ever have experienced.  Yes, those that know him know that he is a very tough kid.  He has a special ability to focus his mind and soul on whatever task is at hand.  I've seen him focus on music where he will practice his Tbone for hours every night.  The goals was the all-state band-which took him four years to achieve.  It was a goal that he never gave up on.  I admire his ability to reach the goal.  Some of you may have heard about the young man from Dobson High School who missed a bunch of school while receiving a bone marrow transplant.  I heard the admin did not allow him to walk yesterday because he was 2.5 credits short  Well, Caleb dealt with a similar situation.  The only difference is Caleb got all the credits.  His situation was different and I totally agree that the admin should have made an exception for this young man-but Caleb was ready to graduate with his sister's class if need be-he wanted to walk having reached the same goals as everyone else.  My prayer is that Caleb will be able to focus and endure through this recovery-so he can get back to normal.

Through the trial I am thankful for the amazing support we receive from so many.  Your prayers are so appreciated. 

Ups and Downs

So, yesterday I went home from the hospital to be at the MHS graduation.  I left my son in what I thought was the most difficult state since he first go so sick.  His heart rate was going up, blood pressure really high and the swelling he was having was at its worst.  His body literally looked like it was about to burst-I was scared and left pretty depressed about what might happen in the next few hours.  We still had not seen our sons eyes since this ordeal began.  I prayed all the way home that God would preserve him.  I arrived home and Sarah returned a few hours later drove back to the hospital.  When Sarah arrived around 3 or so she greeted him and he opened his eyes and nodded his head that he recognized her.  When she told me this-I was amazed  and thankful for answered prayer. It was a great day of encouragement as I took a second Sunday off from preaching for the first time since I had surgery several years ago.  It was great to hear Dr. Dick Fellars challenge us on "Faith in Crisis" from Job.  His perspective was great to hear as we continue to question why Caleb is going through this.  Job gives hope for the trial!

Friday, May 20, 2016

Another Larger Mountain

So, its time to return to the Climbing the Mountain Blog once again.  My last post was at Caleb's graduation from high school-if you go back and read it-I told of how Caleb had recovered and hurdled the Chemotherapy mountain into a total remission.  From there he has completed three complete semesters of college.  He's done well living on his own in the dorms.  He went from Greenville, South Carolina to closer to home at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix for the two years of college.  Yet, in the back of our minds we always knew the possibility of relapse was actually better than 50%.  This is a hard truth to live out.  We learned that "one day at a time" is the best philosophy to employ with such a dark truth hanging over you.  So, in the middle of Caleb's Spring break of his fourth semester of college Caleb was re-diagnosed.  His treatments have taken an amazing double-minded paradox.  In one way of thinking he has responded incredibly well to treatment-popping into remission very quickly, yet enduring all of the side effects to the max.  Wow-three diagnosis' of sepsis.  The first two were quick recoveries-but the third totally knocked him down.  Today I sit in the hospital room playing Disney favorites-music he loves no matter how old he gets  Caleb has not been able to communicate normally since this time last week-5/13/16.  Yet his eyes twitch crazily when I ask him if he hear's me.  Pretty sure he's hearing things.  Yet, we wait-praying for each small progress to normality.  Last Saturday the doctor gave us the prognosis that it didn't look like Caleb would be with us before the day ended.  Yet, God in His grace preserved life once again.  My son is still here-improving steadily and hopefully looking forward to final healing with a bone marrow transplant from his sister Jeanette.

The question why constantly lingers over our heads-and some in our family have struggled with this in human thinking.  I am thankful that God has shown himself so many times to me that I continue to hang on to the great Sovereignty of a Loving God.  This life isn't the end-there are so many amazing things that lay ahead when we are with the Savior.  It is hard to look past what we can concretely see-but there's more.  God's Word is plane on this.  I can't answer why-but my loving and wise God can  His love is so great and present.  These words from Paul are helpful in understanding this truth:

1 Corinthians 13: 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

For now I support my only son with love and compassion-and leave the rest to God.  These Words from Mark Hall have been an amazing comfort-

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt?
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart?

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean.
A vapor in the wind.
Still You hear me when I'm calling.
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling.
And You've told me who I am.
I am Yours, I am Yours.

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again?
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me?

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean.
A vapor in the wind.
Still You hear me when I'm calling.
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling.
And You've told me who I am.
I am Yours.

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean.
A vapor in the wind.
Still You hear me when I'm calling.
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling.
And You've told me who I am.
I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?

'Cause I am Yours, I am Yours.

These words give great comfort to me-may they to you.