Prayer Request

From Sherri:
Annie, Please add this to your prayer blog, and if the rest of you will lift up this young man in your prayers---We're needing some miracles here, folks!

*This was forwarded to me by my friend Cheryl who is recovering from Brain Surgery in St. Louis. She had the large tumor removed from one side, but the two smaller tumors on the other side of her brain they did not remove. She will begin radiation on her brain ASAP, then later is scheduled for Chemo for the lung cancer that they also did not remove.

Amazingly, she is in GREAT spirits- I think right now it is harder on those who love her! She has been a rock!
(SHe's a real fiesty thing, so I'm certain she's giving her doctor's fits!)

Anyone, please read the following and lift this young man and his family, (and Cheryl and her family ) to the throne!

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I'm calling on all my friends for special prayers for my stepson and Mark's only child, Christopher Puttmann.

Chris is 18, he just graduated from High School May 28th of this year, where he was given a standing ovation for his strength and courage. He attended the ceremony just 1 week after brain surgery at St Louis University Hospital. He was also voted "Most Shy" in his graduating class (not surprising, considering who his Father is....) Chris rides horses and actually has spent most of his life competing, he loves dogs, video games and country music. His career aspirations are attending college and becoming a Physical Therapist. He is tall, dark and handsome, at 6'1, he towers over his father and enjoys calling Dad, "shorty"

2 weeks after Chris was discharged from his Neurosurgeon he began having pain and twitching in his legs, then weakness with frequent falling and difficulty urinating. We were told at the time of the surgery that the "tumor" was most likely benign and despite our inquiries and concern, we were told that the patholgy report "was not back"

After several trips back to St Louis University where he was given pain killers and seizure medications, we took Chris to Barnes Hospital in St Louis. There they performed a Ct scan and MRI of the brain and spinal cord. Within the hour, we were told that Chris had a rare form of cancer called Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor, PNET for short. In 4 short weeks, after the removal of "the tumor" in the left frontal lobe of the brain, the disease had spread to throughout the brain lining and all through the spinal cord.

Currently, Chris has paralysis from the waist down and has an indwelling foley catheter to help him urinate. He is receiving radiation dly and chemotherapy weekly. Prognosis, we're told, is not good. All the doctors efforts are focused on irradicating the tumors and inflamation throughout his brain and spinal cord in hopes of Chris regaining the use of his lower extremities, his bowel/bladder function and most importantly his survival.

Chris has also been transferred to Children's Hospital in St. Louis as this type of cancer mostly affects children and the staff there are more familiar with the disease itself and the treatment.

Chris has yet to complain and receives daily treatments and rigorous physical therapy with a quiet nod of acceptance. The nurses and doctors consider him their "best" patient.

Chris is blessed with having 2 sets of parents and therefore, someone is always at his side, playing cards, board games or watching movies. He has yet to be discouraged and remains optimisic. He is so couragous and my new HERO. I'm sure he would love to hear from any and all of you. A cherry note of encouragement, a text or a phone call. I'm not sure of the address but he is in room 1201 at Children's Hospital in St Louis, MO. His cell phone # is 618 694-6601

Please pray for our Chris, we all know God is capable of miracles and hopefully he's planning one for Chris now

I will try to keep you updated on his condition and progress. Please keep him in your prayers.