The dismissal and brush off on October 14, 2022, I gave to my middle son was unfortunately the norm for me. I was ashamed at myself when we were given news that would change our lives. News that brought out anger, sadness, uncertainty, guilt, and so much more.

Cason came out of the restroom in excruciating pain in his lower right abdomen. We just returned from a 5-6 hour drive from Oklahoma. As I mentioned before, I dismissed his pain and brushed it off. I told him to lay on the couch because it's probably just gas or constipation. The pain would pass.

Moments later came the urgency.

"I'm sweating all over! DAD! DAD! I'm sweating all over!"

My husband, Jarred, went to check on him. I once again was not worried or thinking it was an emergency. Until...

Jarred quickly said, "We're taking him to the hospital." 

This was not the norm for either of us. We don't jump to immediately going to the hospital unless it is a TRUE emergency. 

I knew it must be serious and urgent if my husband was making the call. 

I told our eldest to call grandpa and let him know we're taking Cason to the hospital. I told our eldest and youngest to stay inside until grandpa came from next door. 

Jarred scooped Cason into his arms and we loaded up into the car. We took Cason to Hospitality ER. Little did we know, this would just be the beginning of Cason's journey.

Hospitality ER did their quick assessment and said it may be his appendix. We were told that Cason would need a CT scan.

They hooked him up to an IV, his first one, and it scared him at first. He hadn't experienced anything like it before. But, as always, he took it like a CHAMP!

He was soon wheeled off for his CT scan. When he was finished, we were moved into another room. The waiting ensued!

Again, little did we know, this would just be the beginning of waiting. Is God trying to teach us something? Hmmm....

The doctor came in and informed us that the appendix and other organs look great. He was slightly constipated, but then there was something else.

The doctor's next words were alarming to me and created a pit in my stomach. 

"The CT scan showed a cyst on his pancreas. This is a concern because it's not normal for someone his age."

As we digested the shocking news, we were also contemplating our next move. We were given two choices that night. 

The first choice would be to stay the night and have further imaging completed by Hospitality ER the following day. The second choice would be to follow up with Cason's pediatrician and WAIT.

There's that word again. "WAIT!" 

So, guess what we did? We waited. We decided to follow up with his pediatrician because his pain had subsided. 

Cason was cleared by Hospitality ER to continue life without restrictions. This was great news in Cason's eyes because he had a football game the next morning, which was actually in just a couple of hours.

He played in his football game with the warning from mom and dad to fall to the ground if his pain came back. All praise and glory to our Lord that his pain did not come back during the game! Cason played his heart out like he normally does and enjoyed himself! 

However, we were still unaware of the journey the Lord was navigating us all through with Cason's first diagnosis, and the choice we made the night at Hospitality ER.  

Saturday night came, and our church was hosting an event for our women. I attended the "Tuscan Under the Moon" to try to take my mind off the alarming news I received just 24 hours ago. 

I was a walking billboard with my fake smile, fake small talk, and my fake, "I'm fine!" answer to the generic question everyone asks. "How are you?" 

It wasn't until after the event I had my break down.

My heart went through all the emotions. Guilt and anger at myself for not taking Cason's pain serious. Sadness that my son was fixing to walk through a difficult trial. Helplessness that I couldn't help! Uncertainty of the unknown. 

I got in my Orange VW Bug and drove. I cried out to God with tears, a momma's prayer, and in silence (Rom. 8:26).

"In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings." (HCSB) 

But God...

His peace washed over me! 

"Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpassess every thought will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB)

When I arrived home, I picked up a book my sister-in-law gave me when I walked through an emergency with my husband. Once again the book ended up being a great read!

I love the quote in Red Sea Rules written by Robert J. Morgan. Morgan quotes the preacher John R. Rice, "Worry is putting question marks where God has put periods."

The following Monday, I called our pediatrician, Dr. Hudson, with the new information. Dr. Hudson, of course, wanted and needed to see the imaging and paperwork. He informed us that he would have to request the imaging and paperwork and that could take a couple of weeks.

This momma and daddy did not do the "Waiting" too well. So we asked if there was anything we could do to speed up the process. Dr. Hudson pointed us in the next step of acquiring the imaging and paperwork from Hospitality ER and dropping it off at his office.

My husband and I jumped into action. I immediately contacted Hospitality ER, and they were very accommodating. They had the imaging and paperwork ready to go that day! My husband picked it up and delivered it to Dr. Hudson's office by the end of the business day. 

Once again, we had to...

WAIT!

It took Dr. Hudson about a week to get back to us with a report that we were relieved and nervous to hear all at the same time. Dr. Hudson was in agreement with the diagnosis from Hospitality ER. It appeared that there was a cyst on his pancreas. However, he wanted to do something more. 

Cason would be referred to a specialist, Dr. Otu, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Dr. Hudson said we would get a call from Dr. Otu's office to schedule an appointment. So, in different terms, we had to 

WAIT!

I'm beginning to think the Lord is trying to teach us something!

Finally, we got a call from Willis-Knight in Shreveport! The specialist, Dr. Otu, called and could see Cason for an initial visit on November 4, 2022. 

November is the month for giving thanks in our society. However, in God's word, we are told to give thanks in everything!

"Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 (HCSB)

We rejoiced for the phone call. We prayed for the visit and future visits. We gave thanks for our son, and thanks for our Lord for making us aware of the cyst.

Jarred, Cason, and I drove over to the specialist after dropping the other boys off at school. Even though we rejoiced, prayed, and gave thanks, there was still the unknown. We were sailing unchartered waters, and the swell of the waves blocked our view of what was ahead. 

Paperwork of results and a CD of images in hand, we walked inside to meet the specialist. We were hoping for more definite answers, but we were told the same as the first. It appeared there was a cyst on the pancreas. So, we...

WAIT!

That's what we did because we couldn't do anything else. Before we left the specialist's office, Dr. Otu ordered to have a MRI scheduled for Cason. He told us the office would call to schedule the MRI. So, we...

WAITED!

Thankful November flew by and in rushed Delightful December! Cason lived his life as normal as possible. Then came...

The Call!

January 19, 2023 came and we headed to Shreveport. Angst was with me, but as we drove, God kept placing on my heart to "ABIDE" in Him! God granted me the peace I desperately needed. Peace that only came from Him as I abided in Him.

Cason was a little nervous; but as his father and I spoke to him, he became less nervous. We entered the hospital and checked in with triage. We were then directed and taken to the MRI room.

The radiologist came out and explained, in detail, the directions, the sounds the machine would make, and he answered any questions Cason asked him. Jarred was able to go back with our son as the MRI was conducted. 

The imaging was over, and waiting ensued for our 3:30 PM follow up appointment with his specialist, Dr. Otu. What felt like a life time, really wasn't that long. We killed time with pawn store shopping and Academy shopping for Cason!

It's time.

Dr. Otu had a new diagnosis. "Your son has a Type 1 Choledochal Cyst." The information and paperwork  he provided us was daunting. Cason's cyst was located in his bile duct. His bile duct should be about 3mm. Cason's bile duct was 20mm due to the cyst. Of course, Dr. Otu gave us more information, but with the size of the cyst, that was the information that stuck. Until...the dreaded word came out.

 Cancer

Dr. Otu ordered for more labs to be conducted in order to obtain more information. He could not completely rule out cancer, but informed us that Cason, in future, is at a higher risk of cancer. Especially if the cyst is left unattended. 

So, to the lab we went. However, it was a long evening. We waited, and waited, and waited. No one ever came out to get us for our labs so we left. Cason and I had to go back the next day.

A blessing in disguise!

Cason and I returned to the hospital for his lab work. There was confusion, due to the previous night, and us not getting the lab work completed. But, all went well!

Once it was settled, we were able to complete his lab work with ease. Then, the blessing in disguise came!

Instead of being worried about getting back to work, like I normally would, I took the day off. I was blessed to spend the day with my son. Just me and him without worrying about work. 

"For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace." - Romans 8:6

I found God's blessing's in everything! Usually I would be worried or agitated that I'm missing work. But God...

God showed me life and peace (Mind-set of Spirit). I do not live to work because I would  literally be working myself to death (Mind-set of the flesh). Instead, I was filled with JOY that I get to spend time with Cason, talking with Cason, shopping with Cason, eating with Cason, and so much more!! God knew this is exaclty what my momma's heart needed!

God is good all the time!

After Cason and I spent a day together, we knew we would still be waiting for further answers. Dr. Otu wanted to investigate and study the MRI more. When Jarred and I heard we would do some more waiting, we had two questions at the time. 

Our Questions

1.) Was Cason's Choledochal Cyst cancerous? 

2.) Was Cason's Choledochal Cyst connected to his pancreas?

February 20, 2023 came and we walked into Dr. Otu's office ready for the answers to our main two questions. We were thrilled to hear Dr. Otu say he's been talking to specialist all across the nation about Cason's case.

Dr. Otu began by reviewing Cason's Choledochal Cyst with us. He went to his chart, and walked us through the options Cason could undergo. However, we still needed answers to our questions before we decided on an option. So, we asked Dr. Otu our two questions. 

Dr. Otu replied, "There are no cancer tendencies." He also said, "He was still uncertain if the cyst was connected to the pancreas in any way, shape, or form." Either the MRI machine glitched or Cason moved. There was not a clear picture for a clear answer.

We walked away with one out of two questions answered. We also knew which option we would take with Cason's cyst.

Praise be to God for NO Cancer Tendencies!!

Just as soon as I was falling into step with our new norm, Cason knocks me off balance with amazement. A "proud mom" is an understatement. For a split second, I could imagine how our Lord feels when a child comes to know Him. 

Cason's faith has grown tremendously! Glimpses into his walk with our Lord are marvelous gifts that bring glory and honor to our Lord. I get to witness them all! Thank you Lord for this time, and for getting to witness another... 

being bound by grace and written by God!

Cason initiated reading the bible in a year. He has been going strong and retaining God's word! We encouraged Cason with reading the bible in chronological order. So, on the phone our boys share, he uses the You Version Bible App with their chronological plan. He lets us know where he's at in scripture ,and what he's learned! He's excited for God's word!

The change that was made in Cason was evident through his walk! The night we found out the diagnosis was a Choledochal Cyst and a possibility of cancer, Cason came in our bedroom bawling. He told us, through his tears, that he didn't want to go through this. He didn't want to have pain, cancer, and...

he didn't want to die. 

The last statement was heart wrenching for this mom and his dad. But God...

About a month later, Cason informed me that he woke up in the middle of the night fear stricken. Cason said he turned on the radio to help him fall back to sleep. But God had a different use for the music. Cason said that the song playing was speaking about not having fear. Then, his next words rang true.

"He put the song on just for me!"

"That He did my son! That He did!" I replied. Cason was all smiles! He knew God was and has been with him every step of his journey. And, his journey isn't finished! To help him continue his journey, Cason chose a song for the year. His song is "Firm Foundation" by Cody Carnes.

Cason is building his foundation on the one and only, Christ our Lord!

Jarred and I prayed on our two options for Cason. We could either do the invasive surgery that would open Cason up and surgically remove the cyst plus his galbladder. Or, we could have stints placed inside Cason to, hopefully, drain the cyst. 

We still didn't know an answer to our pancreas question. Dr. Otu informed us that he could look at the pancreas better if we choose the stint procedure. So, that is the route we chose. 

Now, it's scheduling time. 

We were hoping for the procedure to happen on Spring Break, but that didn't happen. We were told the procedure could be on Tuesday or Friday. We requested Friday, hoping the weekend would be enough recovery time. However, our next several weekends were already booked solid. So, we waited, and we had peace to wait!

Due to the wait, we had to have another office visit with his specialist, Dr. Otu. At first, it was mentioned, to wait until the school breaks for the summer. I immediately asked not to wait until summer because we have already been waiting. We have to have the procedure within four weeks of this appointment, or the insurance will not cover the procedure. We needed the procedure within the next two weeks.

Two weeks would give us the perfect window for school functions to be attended. Thankfully, Dr. Otu was working with us! He informed me that he would have the nursing staff rearrange his schedule for the week of April 10th to fit Cason's procedure into his already busy week! We were so thankful! We were to wait for the call with the date and time to report. 

Days passed and still no call! 

"God, I understand that you are teaching us to wait, to be patient, to abide, and much more. But God, could you please have the office call us?" This was my prayer. 

Finally, the call came! 

We were scheduled for April 11th at 8:00AM. We got our directions for Cason, and we were READY to wait, this time!

Our bags were packed and placed by the door. Ready for us to grab first thing in the morning on the day of his procedure. We were to report to the hospital at 7AM. We had to drive an hour away for ALL of his visits, and now for his hospital stay. 

We went to bed not knowing what to expect the next day. We didn't know how long the procedure would take. We didn't know the level of pain Cason would be in after the procedure. We didn't know what his diet would be after the procedure.

We went in flying blind.

The day has come to undergo his first stint procedure. A day that would not be easy for any of us. A day full of surprises!

We started off in perfect accord, and we were traveling with ease. However, within 10 minutes of the hospital, we came up on a traffic jam. The traffic jam caused us to arrive late, but gave an opportunity to pray for the people involved in a wreck. 

We were checked into the hospital; but before heading to the 4th floor, we were greeted by familiar faces. Our family minister and youth paster came to sit with us during Cason's procedure. 

Instead of third times the charm, it was fourth time for the IV process. Cason was poked a total of six times before leaving the hospital. It was hard for him to endure, and hard to watch for me. 

The anesthesiologist came and explained the process of Cason going under. Then, Dr. Otu came and explained the process he would conduct with the stint procedure. Last, a nurse came in and said she would be with Cason the entire time. For some reason, that statement was reassuring to us! 

At last, the time has come! Cason was wheeled away from us. Guess what we did?

We waited!

9:20 AM-Cason was gone. No longer in our sight. No longer in ear shot for him to hear his parents say, "We love you!" We had to trust the people that was tending to Cason. 

Wow! Trust.... 

Trust, Faith, Believe.... All words that are synonyms. We had to trust complete strangers. Strangers that had our son's life in their hands. But... We had to trust an even mightier, the Almighty! When we put our trust, faith, belief in our Lord, we were given the spirit of peace. It was not going to come from anyone or anything else, but our Lord!

We were told that we would be given an update when the procedure was completed. So we waited. 

We were blessed to be with church family as we waited. They endured the waiting with us. An hour passed, and no news. Two hours passed, and no news. Three hours passed, and no news.

Then...

The nurse passed by the waiting room. The nurse that was supposed to be with Cason the entire time. "That's her." I said to my husband. I got up and tried to catch her, but she disappeared behind the doors. We still had no news. 

At 1:05 PM, we heard, "Are you ready?" We popped upped and were ready to follow her to the conference room to speak with the doctor. However, we were informed that we were headed to Cason's room. 

Wait, What?!

The procedure was complete. He was already out of recovery, and he was being brought up to his room. We still had no news about the procedure!

We arrived in the room before Cason. We were waiting once again! My heart was more than ready to see our son. There were tears of joy and sadness all wrapped into one when they finally wheeled him into the room.

Cason is strong, and I knew our God was with him and the doctors the whole time. But... when you see your baby laying there, it breaks your heart! As a parent, I would go through it all for him, but that's not how God intended this journey. 

Some may ask or think, "Aren't you angry with God that He's allowing your son to go through this?"

I quickly answer, "No, I have no anger; I only have thankfulness!"

Without the pain Cason experienced that fateful night, we wouldn't have found the rare cyst. Without the cyst being found, we wouldn't have found his multiple ulcers in his stomach. 

God is good all the time. All the time God is good!

His specialist, Dr. Otu, came in and informed us that he placed 2 stints inside Cason's bile duct. He found multiple ulcers in his stomach, and everything with the pancreas looks great!

Cason did wonderful! He did not like the way his mouth tasted or felt after the procedure. So, we learned next time to have water available to rinse his mouth out.

He was kept on a liquid/soft diet over night. He did okay, but really wanted some solid food.

He was monitored over night and released the next day! 

He walked out on his own! He did not want the wheelchair! He was ready to be home!