Justin's Courage
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Where the journey of Justin's courage begins
Journal entry by Rachel Richards — Jan 2, 2019
Justin has cancer.
I'm still in a fog, so I will post the facts.
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Justin woke in tears. His leg was giving him significant pain. We'd known there was a bump there. We knew when he first felt it. We thought it was sports related. His pain did not get better with ibuprofen. Paul took him to Hospitality ER. There he was given morphine, and xray and sonogram were taken. The Dr contacted our pediatrician, Dr. Hudson, who agreed we needed an MRI. The Dr told Paul there was a large mass, a soft tissue mass. It looked like sarcoma to him. I pray, I ask for prayers, this is not good. We see our pediatrician that afternoon. Late. He took us in, we were begging. My momma heart was unsettled. He did a checkup and they would contact insurance in the morning to get preauthorization.
Friday, December 28, 2018
We were able to control the pain overnight. Thank God. I was anxious. The weekend was approaching, there was a Holiday approaching, would they get us in? I stopped, prayed, and the Dr. office called. God's telling me, I've got this with a wink. We have an appointment that afternoon. Paul and I take him and I even get to sit in the room with him. Justin is such a trooper and so curious. He's asking questions. He's so brave. He did so well, he fell asleep after 15 min. The MRI lasted over an hour. It didn't look good from the techs reaction 40 min in. I'm praying the whole time, saying words of encouragement to Justin. We finish and are told not to leave. We will be given a disc and printout of the reading and to make sure I have my phone. Dr. Hudson's office calls. It was 4:30. Be here by 5:00, do not walk on his leg, there will be crutches waiting. We read the report on the way. Large mass 24x9x7 cm in upper left thigh. Ewing sarcoma or osteosarcoma. Biopsy recommended. We are welcomed to Diagnostic Clinic like the only people on earth. It's Friday, 5:00, and Dr. Hudson and his nurses are caring for our family. We talk for a sec, get crutches fitted, then Paul and I go talk to Dr. Hudson. It is cancer. He prepares us, answers questions, tells us he is praying, and consoles us. I bawl. I get on the phone with Children's Medical Center in Dallas to schedule our visit for Monday. We decided to give Justin a great weekend before the news. But I know he knows. I know I can't keep it long.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
We tell Justin. It hits, he cries. Why he asks, how? We have no answers but the promise that God will carry him through. God did not do this. Justin did not do this. It's going to be a hard journey. Maybe surgery or several. Probably chemo and hair loss. Lots of sick days and missing school. Lots of trips to Dallas. Lots of time in the hospital. Months, maybe more than a year. We will take every step with you Justin. Life will change, but we will hold your hand along the way. Later we tell sisters. Paul has a good way of explaining it before saying the word cancer. Justin wants to tell his friend. We probably should have worked on how to break that ice with him! But it's his story to tell. We ask if he's ready to tell more people. He responds, "well, the more people that know, the more that are praying." Love this kid! OK. We are on it.
Journal entry by Rachel Richards — Jan 2, 2019
Justin has cancer.
I'm still in a fog, so I will post the facts.
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Justin woke in tears. His leg was giving him significant pain. We'd known there was a bump there. We knew when he first felt it. We thought it was sports related. His pain did not get better with ibuprofen. Paul took him to Hospitality ER. There he was given morphine, and xray and sonogram were taken. The Dr contacted our pediatrician, Dr. Hudson, who agreed we needed an MRI. The Dr told Paul there was a large mass, a soft tissue mass. It looked like sarcoma to him. I pray, I ask for prayers, this is not good. We see our pediatrician that afternoon. Late. He took us in, we were begging. My momma heart was unsettled. He did a checkup and they would contact insurance in the morning to get preauthorization.
Friday, December 28, 2018
We were able to control the pain overnight. Thank God. I was anxious. The weekend was approaching, there was a Holiday approaching, would they get us in? I stopped, prayed, and the Dr. office called. God's telling me, I've got this with a wink. We have an appointment that afternoon. Paul and I take him and I even get to sit in the room with him. Justin is such a trooper and so curious. He's asking questions. He's so brave. He did so well, he fell asleep after 15 min. The MRI lasted over an hour. It didn't look good from the techs reaction 40 min in. I'm praying the whole time, saying words of encouragement to Justin. We finish and are told not to leave. We will be given a disc and printout of the reading and to make sure I have my phone. Dr. Hudson's office calls. It was 4:30. Be here by 5:00, do not walk on his leg, there will be crutches waiting. We read the report on the way. Large mass 24x9x7 cm in upper left thigh. Ewing sarcoma or osteosarcoma. Biopsy recommended. We are welcomed to Diagnostic Clinic like the only people on earth. It's Friday, 5:00, and Dr. Hudson and his nurses are caring for our family. We talk for a sec, get crutches fitted, then Paul and I go talk to Dr. Hudson. It is cancer. He prepares us, answers questions, tells us he is praying, and consoles us. I bawl. I get on the phone with Children's Medical Center in Dallas to schedule our visit for Monday. We decided to give Justin a great weekend before the news. But I know he knows. I know I can't keep it long.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
We tell Justin. It hits, he cries. Why he asks, how? We have no answers but the promise that God will carry him through. God did not do this. Justin did not do this. It's going to be a hard journey. Maybe surgery or several. Probably chemo and hair loss. Lots of sick days and missing school. Lots of trips to Dallas. Lots of time in the hospital. Months, maybe more than a year. We will take every step with you Justin. Life will change, but we will hold your hand along the way. Later we tell sisters. Paul has a good way of explaining it before saying the word cancer. Justin wants to tell his friend. We probably should have worked on how to break that ice with him! But it's his story to tell. We ask if he's ready to tell more people. He responds, "well, the more people that know, the more that are praying." Love this kid! OK. We are on it.
Fundraising team: CASA Crushers (7)
Shelly Garner- Smith
Organizer
Longview, TX
Rachel Richards
Beneficiary
Andrew Sanders
Team member
Ann Flicek Kroyer
Team member
Ann Kroyer
Team member
Brandy Winn
Team member
