~Enigmatic Meanderings~

It’s about 3:45.  Tanya Smith in our office here at Student Life just sent out a bit of an update, and since a number of you have been checking in here today (totally humbling, by the way) I wanted to communicate it to all of you.  So, here it is.

Sterling went in for surgery about 8am this morning.  They’ve been able to get to the tumor and are doing some preliminary tests (for the surgeon – not for a long-term diagnosis) because the tumor was a little bit different color and consistency than he was expecting when they started.  This doesn’t necessarily indicate that something more is wrong – tumors come in all shapes, sizes and colors.  However, it is different than what the surgeon expected so he’s just trying to be cautious.  The tumor is also pressing a little bit on a blood vessel and it’s causing it to bleed a little bit.  They are keeping a close eye on that but they may need to give him some blood in a couple of hours.  Please be praying for that.  The doctors are hoping to avoid that if they can but will do whatever they need to for Sterling.  His vitals look good and so far, he’s doing well in surgery.

Please continue to pray.  Because they got started a little later than expected, the surgery may last a couple of hours longer than expected.  That obviously moves back everything like his waking up and Roger and Becca getting to see him.  The Davis’ are so grateful to be surrounded by so many that care about them and that are praying for Sterling.  Earlier on twitter Roger said “Can feel the prayers of thousands that have taken Sterling & our family to the throne room.”  I know your prayers for them mean a lot.  The Lord is sustaining them just as He is always faithful to do.

Because of what is a huge mountain of faith the Davis’ have been called to walk through, the Lord is already working to use that for good. Just a bit of testimony of how the Lord is using this so far:   A woman in Nashville – the mother of a friend of the Davis’ – has heard about what they are going through and has been following their updates on Sterling.  In honor of the 4 Davis children, she has decided to change the lives of 4 children by sponsoring them through Compassion.  Roger and Becca were so excited to hear this!

Please continue to pray for wisdom and discernment for the surgical team, strength for the family, protection for Sterling and for the Lord’s name to be known.

Thank you friends.  More updates will come as we get them.

I started playing soccer when I was four-years-old.  My team was called “The Gremlins,” and we were pretty good.  I absolutely loved playing soccer.  I wish I had stuck with it because it’s the one sport that I was ever any good at.

However, I don’t think I was as good then as this guy.

That’s Sterling, son of Roger and Becca Davis.  I got to go to his soccer game on Sunday afternoon, and I’ve got to tell you, boy’s got skills.  Like serious skills.  He can control the ball but isn’t afraid to let it get away from him for a moment.  He drives hard.  His footwork is good.  Plus, he genuinely enjoys playing.  It’s like he doesn’t know how good he is, and he doesn’t get frustrated with any of the other kids who, honestly, aren’t near as good.  I mean, he scored 7 goals alone.  If you know soccer, you know that’s pretty good.

Anyway, watching this game was a great privilege because of how excited Sterling was to be playing.  He didn’t get to play last week, because there were some medical questions being asked about him at the time, some that have since been answered.

You see, Sterling has a tumor in the middle of his brain.  It’s about the size of a ping-pong ball, and today a group of medical professionals are going in to get it.

So, today, in the midst of everything else I might have going on in my day, I’m going to be practicing “praying without ceasing,” perhaps like I never have before.  I’d like to invite you to join me.

Here’s a few things you can be praying for specifically:

1. A successful surgery. -  What’s the definition of “successful” here?  Well, according to Roger, one simply where Sterling comes out of it.  I know that sounds serious, but that’s because it is.
2. Getting the whole tumor. -  The doctor has told them that he expects to get about 85% of it with the chance to get the whole thing.  Evidently, there’s 15% that’s in a blind area, and the doctor isn’t willing to risk going into that blind area.  Totally understandable.  However, the way they’ll remove the tumor, evidently, is by “drilling” into it so that it collapses on itself.  Hopefully, the hidden 15% will collapse with the rest so that it can come on out.  Roger equated it to a gummy worm being stuck in your kid’s car seat.  You pull on it hoping the whole thing comes out, but there’s a chance the end breaks off.  So, pray for the whole worm.
3. Good recovery. – They say that kids bounce back a lot better than adults.  So, that’s good.  And Sterling’s a strong, active kid (as you can tell from how good he is at soccer).  So, I fully expect this one to be easy.  However, we definitely want the Lord’s hand fully in Sterling’s recovery.  They’re expecting a seven-day hospital stay followed by about three weeks at home.  However, he could be up and going after a couple of days.  There’s just a number of factors on which that depends.
4. A benign tumor. – This is just the beginning of a bit of a journey for Sterling, Roger, Becca and their family.  The prayer is that the journey isn’t made any more serious.
5. Strength for Sterling. – I can’t imagine having to process this for myself, much less being a four-almost-five-year-old.  It’s a lot to deal with for sure, but I know that with God, Sterling can get through it for sure.
6. Peace for Roger and Becca. – Probably the hardest thing for them to have right now.
7. Guidance and empowering for Dr. Wellons. – This is Sterling’s main doctor, at least the one that’s going to be holding the instruments in the O.R.  However, we’re seeking the help of the Great Physician.  I want Him to be the one working in and through all the doctors and nurses.

It’s obviously going to be a long day.  But you can keep up with updates I’m sure by following @jrogerdavis and @davisbecca on Twitter.

Prayer is effective.  I believe it, and I know it.  Thanks for joining me and all the many others lifting up Sterling today.