PRAY FOR ZACH!!

Dear friends,

Zach Bidwell our grandson went into Randwick Children's Hospital on  12 June 2010 with stage 5 Burkits Lymphoma resulting in a protracted period  of Chemotherapy. Zach has had numerous operations on his little body to    remove cancerous lymph nodes in his abdomen, spinal punches every day  for 3 months, a brain shunt,  central feed line and drip line inserted  into his chest cavity  and  recently a colostomy bag because of bowel  damage as a result of the toxicity  effects  from the chemo. During his  stay in hospital Zach turned 3 years old and we and he  enjoyed a happy  birthday party along with all the other cancer kids. He and  the  family  had the pleasure to return home for a three week period over Christmas    returning to the hospital in January and February for a few days of  chemo.  Zach is  an incredibly brave boy for a 3 year old to go through  all this with  little  complaining. He prays always for all his friends  that he made while in the  hospital.

Last week in Canberra he had to have another blood transfusion and then   returned  again to Randwick in Sydney. Today he had a cell test to see if  there were any  cancer cells in his spinal fluid. Unfortunately, there is   really bad news, Zach  has had a relapse and has a high count of cancer   cells in his spinal fluid. There  are now few options left for his  treatment  except more vigorous chemotherapy with all the complications  that come from this  including more ulcerations and possible  brain  damage. Alternatively, a chemo  maintenance program to maximize his  quality of life and to keep him comfortable  so he can enjoy what little  time he has left to live.

Please pray now for Simeon and Sarah that they might make the right and  wisest   decisions about what is the best thing to do for Zach. They are  in a great deal of   grief about this and do not know what to do. Thank  you for all your prayers and   concerns, this may also again end up in a  protracted period of treatment.

Mark and Danielle Bidwell