In April 2016, our nephew, Kaden, was diagnosed with brain cancer. By the grace of God, Kaden is now cancer free. Please continue to pray for this little boy and his family: for his salvation, for his future and that he may never have cancer again.
Prayers for Kaden
October 21, 2016
Let's continue to pray for Kaden as he returns home--for protection and continued healing!
October 9, 2016
The MRIs came back clear!!!!! And we are heading down for a bell ringing ceremony tomorrow!!!! Woohoo!
October 4, 2016
We rejoice as Kaden's numbers are on the rise and they have scheduled his bell ringing ceremony, where he will celebrate the end of chemo!!!! We praise Jesus for this amazing miracle, pray for a clear MRI and no long lasting effects from the chemo, as well as a long and abundant life ahead for this little boy. Please continue to pray for his protection! Thank you... .
September 29, 2016
Let's continue to lift up Kaden in prayer as he goes through this last round of chemo. He is not feeling well and needs our prayers that God will protect him from infection, fevers, and any other possible side effects. We also continue to lift up Jen and Tim for strength and endurance through this process!
September 13, 2016
Those of you who have been following the past week, we cannot possibly thank you enough for your prayers. Praise be to the God in heaven who hears our prayers and poured out His love and mercy on this little boy. By the grace of God, Kaden is back home today. Please pray for God's hand on him at this time, for no more seizures and some peace and rest for this family before the final round of chemo begins.
August 25, 2016
Kaden is in the midst of round five. We pray specifically for no side effects, no infections, continued energy and an appetite. We also pray for Jen and Tim as they balance work and caring for Kaden--for strength, endurance and grace to get through each challenging day.
August 21, 2016
We pray for Kaden as he heads back to the hospital tomorrow for his fifth round of chemo. Please pray for protection, for no infection, for an appetite and the Lord's presence both with Kaden, as well as Jen and Tim.
August 17, 2016
Kaden is home!!! However, he will be starting early next week with the next round of chemo (a little earlier than anticipated). Let's pray for his time at home to be peaceful and restful, for no infection and the Lord's hands to be in every bit of his life.
August 12, 2016
If all goes well, Kaden should be able to go home on Monday for roughly 12 days!!!! We pray with urgency that he might continue to build up an appetite, remain infection-free and be guarded by our precious Savior in this time at home. May it be restful and restorative for Kaden and his family! Praise God!
August 4, 2016
All things considered, Kaden is doing fairly well these past few days! His numbers are hitting zero, and they are now waiting for them to climb back up. Our prayer is that he will remain healthy during this time when the numbers are so low--that he will have no infections and have an appetite!
July 29
Kaden has made it through these past few days of chemo! He now needs giant prayers for NO INFECTIONS and continued healing. We also pray for his mom and dad--for peace and endurance, for patience and love!
July 26
After a few days at home, Kaden has returned to the hospital for round #4! Please pray for comfort and protection over the little guy and for patience for Jen, as these first few days his dressings have to be changed out and he hast to be washed down every few hours.
July 21
Praising Jesus for such an answered prayer: the MRI came back clear!!!!!
July 20
It looks like they are NOT going to change Kaden's central line after all. We will continue to pray that his numbers will rise, that any infection will remain gone and especially for his MRI TOMORROW!!! We also continue to lift up Tim and Jen as they await the results and for the next round of chemo.
July 16
I wanted to update everyone once more and urge us to continue to pray for Kaden. After much deliberation, the doctors do feel it will be necessary to change his broviac line. They will not be able to place this until next week, pushing everything back and keeping Kaden and the family in the hospital without any time home. Let us pray not only for healing for Kaden and for a safe surgery to replace his central line but also for patience and endurance for Jen and Tim. There lives from a hospital room are not something I can even pretend to imagine. May we lift them up to the Lord in this time of waiting.
I have been doing an older Bible study by Beth Moore on the book of Esther this summer. Recently, we have been discussing timing. One of the last scenarios she mentions is "When the meantime is God-time." She reminds us of Isaiah 40:31:
...but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Let us pray this for Jen and Tim--that their strength may be renewed, not as they wait on the surgery or on the next round of chemo, but as they "wait for the Lord." That their strength will be renewed in Him alone. Oh, may it be so!
Please continue to check my "Prayers for Kaden" Tab, as I will continue updates there! Your prayers are so appreciated!
July 14
Thank you for your continued prayers for Kaden. He was placed in the PICU yesterday due to a bacterial infection and very high fever. He is doing much better today, and they are hoping to transfer him back to his floor in the near future. However, there is a possibility they may have to change the central line which is used to give him all his medications and chemo. If this is the case, he would have to undergo another surgery. There is much uncertainty on what direction to go in order to ensure the infection does not return, so please pray for wisdom and discernment for Kaden’s doctors and parents. Please also continue to pray…
· That his numbers will begin to rise
· For the postponed MRI—that it will be 100% clear
· For a positive hearing test tomorrow and that the next three rounds of chemo will also have no impact on his hearing
· For HOPE and healing
Tonight we are reminded of the urgency and need to pray. I have prayed recently that the Lord would teach me how to pray. It’s an area I would probably have boasted about a month ago—an area in which I have felt much pride. But the Lord never lets us revel too long in our pride, and I have been humbled lately by how overwhelmed I have been with life—at how hard it has been to pray. So I prayed a few weeks back very specifically: Lord, teach me how to pray. Among other things, He brought me to a book called A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller.
As I literally sit typing, praying that you will continue the prayer challenge with me for Kaden, I feel compelled to encourage you not to be afraid to pray. God calls us to come like little children. That means we don’t have to be perfect in our prayers. That means it’s okay if you don’t pray at exactly the same time every morning, or if you forget one morning to pray altogether, or if you don’t know what to say and you just sit in silence asking the Lord to hear your heart cry out for Kaden. No matter where you are at in your prayer life—whether your prayers sound like a seasoned preacher or like a little child--God wants to hear from you.
Miller says, “This is the gospel, the welcoming heart of God. God also cheers when we come to him with our wobbling, unsteady prayers. Jesus does not say, “Come to me, all you who have learned how to concentrate in prayer, whose minds no longer wander, and I will give rest.” No, Jesus opens his arms to his needy children and says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NASB). The criteria for coming to Jesus is weariness. Come overwhelmed with life. Come with your wandering mind. Come messy.”
Come messy. We are all a mess, aren’t we? So let’s go to God, mess and all, and beg for mercy for this little boy. As the song so rightly puts,
"There is power in the name of Jesus... ."
THERE IS POWER IN PRAYER!
Our prayers don’t have to be perfect—they just need to come with a genuine belief in the great Father who gave his only Son that we, who are sinners, might have eternal life.
A God that good may not answer the prayers exactly as we want them to be answered, but He will answer in His good and perfect will.
May we continue to come to Jesus like little children—for this little child.
July 10
Overall, Kaden continues to do better this round. This week is a big week because he will be getting an MRI. Let's pray it will be TOTALLY clear!!! We also pray that he will be able to have some more time at home... .
July 6
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KADEN! He has had a better time this round up to this point, but the sores are returning and he needs our prayers for endurance, healing and comfort!
June 30, 2016
Kaden had a successful time at home and is now back in the hospital for round three. The first few days have been noticeably better than the first two rounds; however, tomorrow begins the treatment that gives him all the sores. Please pray that this, too, might be much less significant this time around. We continue to pray for his hearing, for overall healing and the MRI that will be upcoming in the next few weeks!
June 21, 2016
KADEN IS HOME!!!! Praising Jesus for this awesome answer to prayer. He will be home for a few days before heading back for round three. We pray the Lord will abundantly bless this time at home with love and rest and the presence of the Holy Spirit! Please pray the Lord will continue to protect Kaden from infection as he is away from the hospital!
June 17, 2016
Hope! We are reminded of the Lord's awesome power today. Kaden's numbers are on the rise and so is his pep! We praise the Lord for another good hearing test and continue to lift this very real concern up over the next few rounds of chemo.
Those of you joining us in the morning prayer challenge and lifting Kaden up throughout the day and night, here are some more specific areas we can ask for the Lord's blessing and presence:
- Kidney test: for good results
- Appetite: this little guy NEEDS TO EAT! Kaden needs his energy and we pray that his appetite will return to full power and more!
- HOME: Yes, you read that correctly! There is a chance this family may get a few days at home before having to begin the next round. We pray for some normalcy and peace and rest and a moment for this little boy to be a little boy.
- Infection: As always (and especially if they journey home), Kaden is at great risk. We pray the Lord will command his army over and around Kaden to protect him from any sickness or infection.
Finally, let's not forget to thank God for his love and grace--that He woke us up this morning that we might be able to pray for this little boy and his family. Praise be to God!
June 12, 2016
MORNING PRAYER CHALLENGE
I am continuing to write updates every few days on my "Prayers for Kaden" tab, but tonight I come to you with a renewed sense of urgency. Kaden has had a very rough time with the chemo the second time around. He is suffering from high fevers and many other terrible side effects. He needs our prayers...URGENT prayers.
I wonder if you might commit to join me first thing each morning to fall to your knees and pray for Kaden?
Put a reminder on your phone, set the alarm for a minute or two earlier. Before you do anything--hit those knees and pray! Even if only for one minute! We must never underestimate the power of prayer. Not only did God send Jesus to die for us, that we might believe and have eternal life, but He also gave us the awesome gift of the Holy Spirit that as believers in Christ we might communicate with Him.
In this moment, I am reminded of Romans 8:26. I have no words strong enough, eloquent enough, urgent enough to express what I feel for this little boy. May the Holy Spirit intercede for us and may our mighty and merciful Savior pour out his love on this family!
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Romans 8:26
June 9, 2016
Kaden needs our prayers!!! The little guy is very weak and experiencing a lot of fatigue. He is also experiencing a lot of sickness. He needs continued prayers that the sores will not return and that his numbers will zero out so they can in turn rebound. If this happens in good time, the family may get some much needed time home!
We are praising God the hearing test came back positive and continue to pray this will be the case for the next two rounds. We also continue to lift up Tim and Jen throughout this battle.
June 6, 2016
As Kaden begins his second round of chemo, we pray especially that he will not experience the sores in his mouth and esophagus like he did last time. We also pray for energy for the little guy and continued protection of his hearing.
May 31, 2016
Let's keep lifting up this family in prayer--they need an army!!! Kaden underwent a successful stem cell retrieval today. Let's pray as he heads into tomorrow that the chemo treatment will not impact his hearing and that he will be able to tolerate this round a little better, especially at the beginning with sickness. We praise God that he made it through the first round without a fever or infection AND CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THIS MIRACLE AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN!!! We also think of Jen and Tim--for peaceful rest, that the Lord might "take captive" every thought, provide them with an abundance of patience and endurance and for the "shield of faith with which to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." I am reminded tonight of a quote from Beth Moore: "We might not know how, but we do know who!" Our God can do the impossible! Lord, bless Kaden and his parents in this challenging time.
May 25, 2016
Long day for Mr. Kaden...concerns with his incision, multiple transfusions and side effects from the chemo. Please continue to pray that his levels will rise and for all the side effects of the chemo. We also continue to pray for strength and endurance for Jen and Tim through this journey--may they find strength and hope in the love of Jesus.
May 22, 2016
Krusader for Kaden
Let's all join in and be Krusaders for Kaden--prayer Krusaders, that is. These bracelets are for sale (just ask either Brian or me--or anyone in the Allerding family!) for $5. Our hope is that as we wear them, we will be reminded to lift Kaden and his family up to the Lord in prayer. All the proceeds go directly to the family! Thank you in advance for all your support.
Unfortunately, the chemo is taking a bit of a toll on him. He has experienced more fatigue and is suffering from sores in his mouth and esophagus. As a result, the little guy is eating less and feeling a dip in energy. They are also still very concerned about the risk of infection. Let's pray tonight that God will hold Kaden in the palm of His hand. As we are reminded in Matthew 6:28-30, look at how the Lord clothes the flowers of the field...how much more will He care for us?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you... .
May 18, 2016
Let's keep praying in the area of no infections for Mr. Kaden. He needs a bubble of protection around his little body as they continue to administer more medication!
May 14, 2016
As Kaden continues to be given new medications, we pray for the side effects and reactions. This little guy needs some prayer warriors! We lift his little body up to the Lord for protection and healing.
After talking to Jen yesterday, I was reminded that Kaden is not alone in that hospital. We pray also for wisdom for the doctors and nurses but especially for the little person and moms and dads in each one of the other rooms--for children worldwide battling cancer. Oh Lord, have mercy!
May 12, 2016
Praying for the Lord's mercy on this little boy and his family. We ask today that the Lord will return an appetite, but one that can keep food down! This little guy needs his strength! Praying also for that supernatural strength, which can only come from Jesus!
Looking for a place to pray? A friend of mine pointed me to Psalm 91: Let's pray the Lord will command his angels concerning Kaden to guard him in all his ways (verse 11).
Continuing to lift up Jen and Tim--for strength and endurance and that they might feel the love of Christ and a peace that surpasses all understanding.
May 11, 2016
Kaden began his first round of chemo last night and slept peacefully through the night but did have some sickness with it today. We continue to pray for healing and particularly that the Lord will protect him from sickness--both infection and the side effects from the medicine.
May 10, 2016
GREAT NEWS: The spinal tap came back that there are no cancerous cells in the spinal fluid!!! Praise the Lord for this answered prayer! We continue to lift up Kaden today, as he starts his first treatment--for timing, comfort, healing and protection.
May 9, 2016
The Allerding family returned to the hospital this morning to begin the treatment process. We continue to pray that we will hear back tomorrow that there was no cancer found from the spinal tap and for a peace and love that surpasses all understanding.
May 6, 2016
Kaden is safely home with Mom and Dad! Praising God! Praying for a special and peaceful weekend... .
May 4, 2016
GOOD NEWS: No p53 gene for Kaden!!! Praising God!
We are also praying today that Kaden's MRI will show the tumor has been completely removed from his brain, for clean spinal fluid and that Kaden and family will get to return home for a weekend together before treatment begins... .
A dear friend who follows the blog texted me recently and shared this with me. I wanted to share with you!
I also read about your nephew. We have him in our prayers as well as your brother and sister in law. Praying that they feel Jesus' arms wrapped tightly around them as they start this journey. We are big on meanings of names in our house; we believe that they are an outward expression of who God has made our children to be.
Kaden means "fighter."
Every time he has been called by his name, you have spoken that word over him. He is a fighter, and he will be through this process. I pray that his fight is strong and his courage is great. He is loved by His Creator, He was knit together perfectly for this moment and the many more to come.
April 29, 2016
Thank you for continuing to keep Kaden, Jen and Tim in your prayers. They need an army! Most immediately, they need prayer in these areas:
· that Kaden does not have the p53 gene
· that the spinal tap will reveal no cancerous cells and confirmation that the entire tumor was removed
· healing from his brain surgery that might allow time spent at home together before treatment begins
· peace, wisdom and hope for Jen and Tim
April 26, 2016
Praising Jesus for a successful and safe surgery for my nephew, Kaden, yesterday. The doctor feels confident he removed all of the tumor.
Unfortunately, the tumor was cancerous and there is a long road ahead for Kaden and his parents, Tim and Jen. Thank you for your continued prayers for this little boy and his parents.
As we pray for healing and hope, I will keep periodic updates going under the "Prayers for Kaden" tab. Let us pray the Lord might be glorified in this situation that is otherwise so difficult to comprehend.
April 24, 2016
We found out on Friday that my one year old nephew, Kaden, has a brain tumor. We don't know many details. He will have surgery on Monday (tomorrow) and there will be much to learn and understand from there. I ask for your prayers--for protection for this little boy, for complete healing, a safe surgery, for wisdom for the doctors and peace and strength for Jen and Tim.
Christ crucified. It is the tangible reminder that we serve a loving and merciful God. That He would send His son to the cross that our sins might be forgiven.
This week, though, I have wanted to ask why... . Why does suffering have to happen? Why does this little boy have a brain tumor? And the Lord has put Romans 11:33 everywhere I turn:
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
We are not always privy to the why. As Romans 11:33 reminds us, we cannot understand the Lord's ways--He did not design His creation with wisdom that wonderful. And yet we feel so much: fear and uncertainty and doubt. I do not have the words to comfort Kaden's parents. I cannot fathom their pain. I cannot give them a why. So I look to the only one who can--our glorious and loving Father.
Christ crucified.
Christ is RISEN.
Please, pray for HOPE.