Michelle Malkin » Update on little Matthew Rager

Update on little Matthew Rager

By Michelle Malkin • July 5, 2007 02:29 PM

Last week, reader Eric asked for prayers for his son, Matthew Rager, who underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor earlier this week. Here’s an update:

Praise God! We have good news. Miracle Matthew has made it through surgery today in as good a shape as anyone could’ve possibly hoped. We are absolutely filled with joy. Denise and I stood with some close friends as the neurosurgeon gave us the news.

I’ll summarize some quick details momentarily. But we want to give all credit to God through Jesus Christ. We are striving to be like the Samaritan in the scripture below that properly gave thanks to Him for healing.

Luke 17:11-17

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’

When he saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’

—–

Here is more detail from today.

The neurosurgeon came to see us in the lobby about 6 hours after the entire procedure began and told us that Matthew did really well and that he was already back in his room in intensive care AND was already off the ventilator AND was already moving AND already talking AND was already following directions.

With my exhaustion, it’s hard for me to put that sentence and all it contains into good context for you. All I can say is that all of those abilities are wonderfully amazing to see from him — LET ALONE AN HOUR OR SO AFTER BRAIN SURGERY! We would’ve jumped for joy with one spoken word after weeks of rehab, but to hear full sentences this evening has left me in awe.

Doctor said the tumor was ‘really, really big’ but to the ‘naked eye it looks like we got it all.’ He said there was a ‘really good plane’ for removal and he used suction.

It was a bloody tumor as there was a large vein as the drain of the tumor. The arterial supply was from above the tumor. Matthew needed about 3 pints of blood via transfusion. The vein wouldn’t cauterize because it was so big, so they used a titanium clip to close it off.

—

Now — Matthew is not out of the woods yet. The nurses prior to surgery told us recovery can mean 1-step forward and a few steps back. Plus we need to make sure he doesn’t have any infection. We need to learn more about the tumor type and whether it’s all out. Etc.

But we are going to just celebrate today and learn to take this one day at a time. We’ve strived to do that with bad news and now we’ll do that with good news too.

In Matthew 6:34, Jesus tells us, ‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’

Life is precious. Enjoy every moment.

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Posted in: Worthy Causes

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Comments

#1

On July 5th, 2007 at 2:44 pm, zorro said:

Life is precious. Enjoy every moment.

Amen.
#2

On July 5th, 2007 at 3:13 pm, darwin said:

So far so good … one day at a time.
#3

On July 5th, 2007 at 3:23 pm, swj719AWG said:

YAY!!!

You’re all still in my thoughts and prayers…
#4

On July 5th, 2007 at 3:37 pm, walterc said:

God bless, and keep us posted on his progress.

He is destined to be an important man to the world some day.
#5

On July 5th, 2007 at 3:42 pm, terrig said:

Will continue to keep him in my prayers and hope that all continues to go well.
#6

On July 5th, 2007 at 4:03 pm, bipartisancomplainer said:

Good news. Will keep him in our prayers throughout his recovery.
#7

On July 5th, 2007 at 4:27 pm, Bear said:

What wonderful news!!!
#8

On July 5th, 2007 at 5:42 pm, wytammic said:

Thanks for the update Michelle. Life is precious — our prayers will continue for this little one, including one of thanksgiving for bringing him through this.
#9

On July 5th, 2007 at 5:48 pm, jpmzo said:

Glad to hear Matthew is doing well so far. Though I do not believe in your god, I have my own that I will pray to in Matthew’s honor. Until I had a child of own, stories like Matthew’s didn’t touch me so deeply. Your one day at a time approach is indeed the best path to take through this wilderness.
#10

On July 5th, 2007 at 5:51 pm, pgtips said:

I don’t know what to say. This is awesome stuff!
#11

On July 5th, 2007 at 6:20 pm, BluegrassHindu said:

And when he sees me in all and sees all in me,
Then I never leave him and he never leaves me.

Very good news indeed I will keep your family in my prayers.
#12

On July 5th, 2007 at 6:39 pm, Ozark Red said:

Thank you for sharing the wonderful news! Get well soon, Matthew.
#13

On July 5th, 2007 at 7:32 pm, Floyd R. Turbo said:

Absolutely AMEN! Good news. Yes, Jesus is Lord who bought and paid for our healing. Every one of us. Praise God for your good news! Yes, one day at a time. But in faith, believing. Been praying since seeing the request. We, too, have a Matthew, though grown. And he knows the miracle power of prayer, too…
#14

On July 5th, 2007 at 7:43 pm, ajmontana said:

Matthew = Superhero
#15

On July 5th, 2007 at 9:54 pm, petergwynne75 said:

YES!
#16

On July 5th, 2007 at 10:38 pm, Bad Candy said:

Best of luck and a speedy recovery.
#17

On July 6th, 2007 at 3:47 am, DarkKnight said:

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

-Romans 8:28
#18

On July 6th, 2007 at 7:16 am, inviolet said:

Am so happy for you and for Matthew. Will keep praying.
#19

On July 6th, 2007 at 10:13 am, shooter said:

The prayers will continue. Little Matthew is a wonderful little child of God and Jesus IS with him now, loving him and healing him, now and forever.
#20

On July 6th, 2007 at 8:05 pm, jimC said:

Praise God! Recovery can indeed be two steps forward, one step back. I will continue to keep Matthew and his family in my prayers.

Jim C
#21

On July 7th, 2007 at 6:02 pm, David Blue said:

Woo-Hoo!!

More prayers on the way for a speedy and complete healing.