From Don Henson, pastor of
Pittsburgh/Meadville, PA;
The Ball family, especially Michael, would
like to thank you all for the cards, gifts and especially your heartfelt
prayers. Michael was taken off the interferon the day after Thanksgiving. His
energy and appetite have returned and he even joined the tennis team at school.
His blood work continues to look good. His chest x-ray caused a bit of concern
to the oncologist nurse since there was a shadow, but it matched the one four
months previous, so she feels it must be OK. Michael must go for blood work and
chest x-rays every four months this year, every five months next year and every
six months the year after, etc. for the next five years. We feel God has heard
your prayers and thank you for spending time on your knees before the Father on
our behalf.
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From Don Henson, pastor of
Pittsburgh/Meadville, PA;
Michael Ball continues to do well in his
battle against cancer. He had blood work and a chest x-ray on 6/17 and his
blood count and liver function look good. He gives himself an injection of
interferon every Monday. Tuesdays can be rough -- extreme tiredness and
flu-like symptoms that require Tylenol every four hours. Through the ordeal,
Michael has maintained an excellent and optimistic outlook, a straight-A average, served on staff at the regional pre-teen camp and
will attend
Michael Ball
800 Joyce Dr
W Mifflin PA 15122
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From Don Henson, pastor of
Pittsburgh/Meadville, PA;
As we reported to you a few months ago, in
November 2001, 13-year old Michael Ball of the
In December Michael started interferon
treatments, as a preventive measure to boost his immune system so that the
cancer will not recur. For the first four weeks he went to a clinic five times
a week to receive intravenous treatments. Until November, 2002 he will receive
three shots of interferon each week (which he administers to himself).
Interferon generally causes moderate to
severe side effects such as flu-like symptoms (chill, muscle and joint aches)
and pain in the eyes. Most children on this regimen require home schooling
since they don't feel well enough to concentrate and simply can't keep up in
school.
Throughout his treatments Michael has had
virtually no side effects. Doctors have told him that no one else they're currently
treating for this disease is responding as well. Not only has he continued in
school, he brought home straight A's his most recent term and was named Student
of the Month for Geometry in November (the month of his surgery). Michael has
been so physically and emotionally strong that his doctors have asked him to
stay in touch with and encourage other children and young teens who are undergoing the same treatment.
Michael and his parents attribute his
recovery to God's intervention. They thank you for your prayers and concern and
ask that you would continue to pray that Michael will be healthy throughout his
treatments and into his future.
Michael Ball
800 Joyce Drive
West Mifflin PA 15122
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From Don Henson, pastor of
Pittsburgh/Meadville, PA;
Lou and Joan Ball, parents of Michael Ball,
age 13, of the
The Ball family is asking for God's mercy and
that He would intervene to prevent any further spread of the disease in
Michael's body. Please pray for Michael and the rest of the family that God
would give us the courage to endure this trial and the faith to trust in Him.
Also pray that Michael would be healed and that there would be no more
complications from the surgery.
Michael would appreciate cards of
encouragement. His address is:
Michael Ball
800 Joyce Drive
West Mifflin PA 15122
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