Brandon’s Story

Site created on February 28, 2023

On Sunday, February 19, 2023, Brandon went to our local hospital in Sulphur Springs with some swelling and pain. After a few tests and bloodwork were done a mass was found in his abdomen and it was determined he would need to be transferred to Baylor Hospital in Dallas. Upon arrival in Dallas, it was determined he was also septic and needed immediate surgery to clean out the infection.  As he healed from surgery and fought the infection, it was determined the mass in his abdomen was cancer and we began testing for that as well. He spent 4 days in ICU and had a couple of surgeries while there. He was moved to a regular room on day 4 and has been there ever since. He had an additional surgery on Friday, February 24 to have a colostomy bag placed that he will need to wear while he undergoes cancer treatment as well as to biopsy a couple of other suspicious spots. On Monday,  February 27 we were told there were a few spots on his liver that were also cancerous. The words "this is treatable, not curable" were used.  He will receive chemo every 2 weeks for the next 6 months and then will be reevaluated after that. It looks like he will get to come home on Wednesday, March 1 to begin resting at home. The doctor would like for him to heal for another 2 weeks before he starts chemo treatment. Thank you for the prayers thus far, and please keep them coming! We will update you along the journey. 

Newest Update

Journal entry by Bradley Edge

So many of you have asked for an update, asked how we’re doing. So I figured this was the easiest way to update everyone. 

It’s been two and a half weeks. Such a short time. But also an eternity. We have good days and bad. Sometimes it’s good hours and bad hours, or even good minutes and bad minutes. Sometimes it doesn’t seem real, and sometimes it’s gut wrenching that he’s gone. We’ve handled a lot of ‘business’…picking out a tombstone, closing accounts, canceling insurance, accounts, etc.  We’ve gone thru a lot of motions that we had to do. We seem to be ok with handling the business and the big things. It’s the little, unexpected things that get us sometimes. I used to go thru sonic a couple of times a week for a drink, now I can’t even look over at the sign when I drive by.  Chocolate milk, Reese’s peanut butter cups, anything Texas Longhorn related, seeing his name on something can bring a punch to the gut and tears flowing. 

But God. At the same time we feel all these emotions, we feel God’s presence. His peace. His faithfulness. His GOODNESS. Our circumstances don’t change who He is. He is a good, good, Father. 

And you. You all have been so good to us. The prayers. The hugs. The love. The food. The gifts. The tears you’ve shed with us. We can’t go anywhere in public without someone stopping us to offer condolences, to give hugs, to love us. And sometimes that’s hard, because it’s a reminder that he’s really gone. Sometimes we don’t want to go out in public because we don’t want to face it. But DON’T STOP. Your hugs are a reminder that we have been and are surrounded by an incredible tribe. They are a reminder that we aren’t alone. They are a reminder that the body of Christ is on this earth. You are His hands and feet. 

We still have a lot of thank you cards to write. A lot of things to take care of. But, THANK YOU. Thank you for loving us well. We’ll never be able to repay you all. 

Carried by His grace and your love, 

Bradley, Ella, & Cole Edge

Steve & Wanda Reed

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