First things first
We’ve been away for two weeks and have very many things to share about our time away, our family, our move, and other exciting news. But, first we must share some sad news and ask for prayer. Our daughter Hannah’s sister-in-law, 17-year-old Olivia (Philip’s youngest sister), was found to have a brain tumor just days before our family was to meet together in the Adirondacks for some vacation. She was transferred from Bangor, Maine to Boston for the removal of the tumor which was around her auditory nerve (8 hour surgery). Family and friends flocked to Bangor and then to Boston to encourage and support and pray. At first, the tumor was thought to be the type that is more typical for older patients, but probably benign. However, after the surgery, the mass was suspicious and thus began a difficult four-day wait for pathology results. On Friday night Olivia’s parents met with the doctor and learned that the mass was indeed cancerous. Olivia will begin radiation therapy in Boston on Tuesday. After the radiation she will go through 10 months of chemo.
All this has happened so fast that it is hard to even comprehend. Olivia and her family are New Tribes missionaries. She lived for the first part of her life in Papua New Guinea, and her family was planning to return during this past year (her parents have been working stateside with the New Tribes training institute since returning from Papua New Guinea). Various circumstances delayed their plans. We are grateful that this tumor was discovered while they were still in the US and near hospitals and doctors who can treat Olivia.
We would deeply appreciate prayers for Olivia and the entire Walden family during this time.
Walden Family (Christmas 2005): Emily, Kim (Phil’s Dad), Olivia, Sky, Vivian (Phil’s Mom), Hannah, Seámus, Zach, Philip, and Éva.
Olivia and Éva. Olivia has studied ballet for 10 years and would love to teach it.
July 9th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
Karyn,
We are so sorry to hear about Olivia. We remembered when she stayed at our home! She is a wonderful woman! Please give our love to the Walden family. We will lift her up in our prayers! Melissa and Jim
July 14th, 2006 at 5:06 pm
Know that she and your entire family are in my prayers as you entrust her health to God’s powerful hands.
July 18th, 2006 at 9:44 am
[...] We did manage to sneak away for two weeks in the midst of all this. We were in major road trip mode, covering most of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US. First down to Charlottesville for a sweet reunion with friends from our old church. Then all the way up to Maine for three days at my brand new Favorite Place on Earth: Bailey Island, Maine. Finally, across to the High Peaks of New York’s Adirondack Mountains for a family reunion, including both of our daughters’ families and two of Karyn’s sisters. Even though the American concept of vacation is a literal “vacating” from “real life,” we had some reminders that real life does not recognize nor allow such abandonment. Karyn has written about dear Olivia and her brain tumor surgery during our time away, and we returned to the news that the parents of the husband of one of Karyn’s sisters had been in a car accident resulting in the death of his father. Sober reminders that there is no “vacation” from the effects of sin until God reveals his new heaven and earth. [...]
July 27th, 2006 at 11:48 am
There are many praying! We prayed for her hearing, her facial nerves, and now we pray for complete remission!
August 3rd, 2006 at 3:54 pm
Dear Olivia,
I am concerned over the diagnosis of your tumor and would like you to know that I would love to pray for your recovery and share encouragement for your young and beautiful life. Let us all come in faith in prayer to him who keeps and sustains us and that we can know that ” he has a plan for you ,to give you a future and a hope” I will be here if you need to e-maill about how you are feeling, prayer reqests, moral, mental and spirtual support. God is good , and good all the time. It’s our world that is fallen. I have been through many trials and devastations and there are more to come I have come to know a living, loving and understanding God. Brother in Christ,
WadeYoung, Rythm Guitar,
The Chapel, Fir Hill, Akron Campus
August 3rd, 2006 at 7:55 pm
Olivia–You will be in my prayers–That God will heal you and restore you fully!!
The Chapel–Worship Team–3rd hr.
April 6th, 2007 at 7:33 am
Dear Hannah,
Please know that the Blounts continually pray for the Walden’s. May you all have a Happy Easter. I know it’s possible because He lives and gives us hope in our sadness. Take care. Love, Susan