Help Joshua knock down the walls of cancer!

"I'm going to beat cancer because I was born to knock down walls." Joshua Luke Escalona 



What shall he be called?

The Lord blessed my husband Martin and I with our son Joshua Luke Escalona on March 24, 2006.  It was one of the best days of our lives. Prior to Joshua’s birth, we discerned whether Joshua or Luke would be his first name.  A lovely nun, Sr. Carlotta, spoke to us about the biblical figure Joshua’s strong devotion to our Lord and his strength to lead the Lord’s people into the Promised Land; hence, we chose Joshua. 


Who is Joshua? 

Joshua is a quiet, humble, God fearing, twelve year old boy.  His words are few, but his endearing smile is immeasurable.  On any given day, you can catch Joshua drawing, building things, or reading comic books.  You might also hear him playing the piano or singing.  In the past, you could spot him on the soccer field; however, given his most recent operation, he was advised to eliminate this hobby.  Of all Joshua’s interests, he loves drawing the most.  His dream is to be an architect some day.  


The Headaches 


Joshua started having persistent headaches for about a month. During this time, we took him to the ophthalmologist, on September 24, 2018, thinking that he might need glasses due to a change in his vision. Nonetheless, the headaches intensely persisted and started waking him from his sleep.  We took Joshua to the pediatrician that same week and she thought the headaches might be due to teeth grinding at night; hence, we got him a mouth guard, but the headaches persisted.  Two weeks later, on Friday, October 12th, at 11:00 in the evening, I was in the kitchen and Joshua came to me.  He said, “Mama, I can’t sleep because my head is in so much pain and I have a big bump on it.”  I immediately touched his head and felt the large welt on his head.  My gut feeling told me it was cancer because I knew Joshua had not had any trauma to his head.  


That following Monday morning, October 15th, we had an early appointment with Joshua’s pediatrician and she immediately sent him to have an ultrasound.  The results revealed a very suspicious growth and he was referred for a CT scan Tuesday morning.  Our doctor called my husband Martin and told him that the scans revealed that our dear Joshua may have a rare form of cancer called Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and that the malignant tumor would need to be removed.  She told Marty that we needed to take Joshua to Dell Children’s Hospital immediately. 


Upon Marty entering our home, I knew something was very wrong because his eyes were watery and he told me that he needed to speak with our children first.  Upon hearing the news that Joshua had cancer, and  that the cancer had eaten a hole through his skull, I felt like a part of me was dying.  Everyone was overwhelmed by many emotions, but in our weakness we tried to be strong for Joshua.  Before departing for the hospital all our children shared special words with Joshua, because we were uncertain if Joshua would return to us and how he would return to us after the operation.  


We give thanks to our Lord for returning our most precious son Joshua to us.  The tumor was extracted from his skull and a titanium metal plate is now connecting his skull together.  Towards the end of the year, we will know more about the need for reconstructive surgery to his skull.  If the operation is needed, we were told that more than likely they would take bone from Joshua’s ribs to reconstruct his skull.  Please pray that if it’s the Lord’s will, that Joshua’s skull will miraculously fuse together.  

The Meaning Behind His Name

Twelve years later, on October 16, 2018, we learned the meaning behind Joshua’s name.  Our son Joshua, like his namesake, was called to have complete obedience and trust in our Lord “to knock down the walls of cancer”.   This particular, cold, rainy day the doctors told us that our twelve-year-old son, Joshua Luke Escalona, had a malignant tumor in the occipital area of his skull. Because the tumor had consumed a portion of his skull, Joshua had to undergo a cranial operation to extract the tumor and have a titanium metal plate inserted to reconnect his skull.  Upon completion of the biopsy, it was confirmed that our dear Joshua had a rare form of cancer called Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH).  

Unfailing Love 

One is never prepared to hear such news, but God surrounded us with a powerful army of prayer warriors that helped us carry this cross.  Your unfailing love for Joshua and our family comforted us in our darkest hours.  His presence never left us as we witnessed and heard Him through every visit, meal, call, text, and card.  We still need your support and humbly ask that you only donate what you can.  No amount is too small in the eyes of our Lord.  He knows our every need and He will provide for our family in ways unknown to us.  


We ask that you continue to pray that our dear son Joshua’s cancer continues to heal and that it does not return to any other part of his body.  In addition, please pray for complete healing of his skull and that there may not be any residual side effects to other parts of his body given his most recent operation.  If it’s the Lord’s will, please pray that Joshua’s skull miraculously fuses together so that they will not have to operate on his skull ever again.  Please know that we are immensely grateful for all of you and that you remain in our prayers, as well.


Be firm and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9