A Prayed for Plan

 Saturday March 14, 2026

Two blogs within a few days of each other! Not sure this has happened since the beginning. We prayed for more concrete answers and God provided. Matt and I sat down with the General Surgeon, Plastics Surgeon and our team's head Oncologist yesterday morning during clinic. The results are as follows:

Lord-willing, Ezra will have surgery Wednesday March 25th to remove his tumour. This will be an all day surgery from what we were told by the surgeon. We are asked to be there around 7-730am for pre-op and sedation. 

There was a lot of information we were given yesterday so I will do my best to summarize it. The General Surgeon will be in charge of taking out the tumour and Plastics will be in charge of covering the empty space that's left behind. From what we understand, it'll be like a slice of pie being removed (see the pictures for what his tumour looked like at the beginning vs now with the highlighted part what is being removed). Plastics told us muscle will be taken from his back (latissimus dorsi) to patch up the abdominal wall. He is more susceptible to hernias now, so we need to be aware of that. They will be removing a good portion of his 9th rib as well. There is a possibility that Ezra's gallbladder and a small portion of his liver will need to be removed as well if the tumour is attached to both of them. We will find this information out after surgery if they needed to remove them.

    

The days that follow, he will be in the PICU for at least 3 days and then move into the surgery ward for the duration of his time (5 days minimum, but up to 2 weeks). We may be able to stay in our oncology ward if he is doing well. After removal of the tumour, they will be sending it to be examined and tested to look for clean margins (no tumour left inside). This will decide if he needs radiation/chemotherapy or just chemotherapy. 

To manage his pain after surgery, he will be given a thoracic epidural to numb his incision site which will prayerfully last for a week if it works properly. 

God is good and throughout these last few months, we have seen His work in our lives through all the hills and valleys. Especially hearing from the surgeon that it is placed in a good spot and not around any major organs or blood vessels that could cause problems during surgery. It is God's plan and in His great hands.

"Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful."

James 5: 11