prayer request

this was posted on my friend hannah's blog and it's with a heavy heart that I pass this along to all of you:

"clint, pratt and i come to you today with the heaviest of hearts. my doctor from home, dr. braden...his daughter (erin) and her husband (ben) have a five year old little girl. zoe is her name. zoe goss. from my limited understanding...they believe zoe has been diagnosed with something called a neuroblastoma. probably stage three. stage four being the worst. these people are a wonderful, wonderful family...both sides. the braden the goss'. i could go on and on about dr. braden. i'll just say this. i know no one who gives more of himself than larry braden. he started the christian health clinic in camden several years ago. this is a place where people can come and get medical and dental care for free.i'm going to cut and paste dr. braden's email. it was sent to close friends...and was forwarded to my sister. she forwarded it to me. i would hate to get anything wrong as far as the facts go...

Goodeve everyone,

Just got home. What a ride thusfar. We still don't have any absolutes but Zoe's oncologist (still doesn't make sense that our beloved Zoe would need an oncologist) is certain we are working against a neuroblastoma...probably stage 3.As stages go the higher the number the worse it is and stage 4 is the highest. If he is right she will go back to ACH next week for the instillation of a port and a bone marrow biopsy. If that biopsy shows tumor cells her tumor will be advanced in classification to stage 4. If it is negative then stage 3.We also await "biologics" and one genetic study. If any of these are positive and she is stage 3, then "stage 3 high risk". If these "biologics" and genetic exams are negative, and she is stage 3, then stage 3 intermediate risk". If the latter, then 6 to 9 months of chemotherapy with hope for a surgical resection along the way. If stage 3 high risk then 9 to 13 months chemotherapy with hope for a sugical resection along the way. If surgical resection remains impossible following the expected shrinkage by chemotherapy, then radiation to the abdomen. If radiation, then "her ovaries will be moved to her thighs to maintain her eventual fertility".Sounds pretty complicated...it is. She will remain "relatively isolate" so long as she is being treated. Kindergarten is out of the question. Erin and Ben are considering home schooling and we understand the school district can (must if we ask) provide a teacher. Because she can have only very restricted contact with other children. An early birthday party (her birthday is June 21) has been planned...tomorrow eve 6 pm..."Holiday Lanes"...a bowling alley in Texarkana. All are invited.The oncologist was asked specifically about church and yes, she can come to church. "She must sit at the back of the congregation wearing a mask and all must wave at her from afar. She cannot attend Sunday School." She has been, as she always has been, through this experience, a remarkable lady. Quiet, fun-filled and always seeking, exploring. As soon as she could she asked me, repeatedly, to "just go for a walk." As she insisted on helping with IV care and the like she has been dubbed "HRN" (honorary registered nurse) and was presented with her own (a real and working) stethascope.In spite of the circumstance we have experienced remarkable blessings, most notably what seems best described as a "compassionate solidarity": Prayer, cards, phone calls, visits and emails from everywhere.Erin says she quietly visualizes a coincident and dense efflux of energy from North America calling to heaven for help...for strength and for healing. Please do not end your praying....pray even more intensely....please.
Larry

my heart breaks as i re-read that email. i don't know how you find the strength to do what you're required to do...as a parent. as a grandparent. no, that's wrong. i do. the strength is found in God. and in prayer. and in spreading the word to any and all you can tell. so i'm begging you...each one of you...please please please forward this to as many as you can. i know so many of you have children. and i don't know how you do all of this with a little five year old girl. how do you begin to explain what is happening. clint says you don't. i guess he's right. if you have a blog, i beg you to post this. we touch so many lives with these. please, please, please help. one more thing...kelly from kelly's korner once said of her little harper...don't just pray for harper...but pray for all those babies that are sick. she's right. pray for all of the kiddos fighting for their health. thanks for reading. i hope you each have a wonderful week. i'll update with more as soon as i know more."

Will you take a moment to pray for this family and especially, this little girl?