Carson’s Story

Site created on November 1, 2019

Please be in prayer for Carson Peterson, OMPC member and the Associate Athletics Director at Briarwood School. Carson’s wife, Val, is the Communication Director at OMPC.

On Wednesday of this week, he went to the doctor with some neurological issues and was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Carson and his wife, Valerie, are currently exploring some of the treatment options and have had some discussions with surgeons regarding their next steps. There is still much to learn regarding the nature of this tumor, so we are praying for good results every step of the way.

Briarwood School and Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church will be coordinating some of the family support that may be required as they begin the process of seeking the Lord's wisdom and the treatment plan.

Our specific prayers are for divine healing, wisdom regarding the treatment plan, and that the Peterson's will constantly feel God's presence throughout this journey.

Carson and Valerie have demonstrated a great peace and confidence in the Lord and they appreciate your prayers!

We will update you more when we have more information.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Val Peterson

The last few months have been pretty much status quo as relates to Carson's health and treatments ... yet it is with great joy we share that Carson is now DONE with his chemo and treatments!!!

To summarize the last 11 months following his diagnosis: 2 brain surgeries, 6 weeks in the hospital of recovery/procedures/physical rehabilitation, 45 days of radiation + chemo, 6 more rounds of chemo ... and here we are reflecting upon the last year with hopeful anticipation of a more steady new normal for him and our family!

Carson has had 2 MRI scans since the baseline one in March. Both have shown really great progress in terms of the impact of the treatments - especially in these last 6 rounds of chemo. There are no active tumor cells and the doctor said both times that his scans look really good. He will have a post-treatment scan at the end of October and then continue with scans every couple of months to make sure things continue to look as they are within the first 6 months to a year of completing his treatment. 

Carson is doing really well all around. He continues to walk daily and has been able to work remotely in his role as Assistant Athletic Director for BCS. With school starting back in person, he's enjoying quieter days at the house (without our crazy crew running around!) and being able to dive back into a role and school community that he dearly loves. He will continue to work remotely for the next couple of weeks and is looking forward to returning to campus very soon. 

While it seems like no one really knows what "normal" is these days, we are eager to settle into this new version for us.  Our kids are Carson's biggest cheerleaders and are elated to have him around and done with the "yucky medicine." They've persevered and adapted so well to everything within our family as well as the pandemic's impact on every aspect of life. We're so grateful for this and for your prayers for them specifically over this last year. 

Psalm 23 has been such a constant encouraging scripture for Carson and our family during this journey. It's one that's always been uplifting to read - up until that part about the "valley of the shadow of death." I would always read that and think of others' valleys and fear the scary concept in general. Yet the Lord has walked us through one of our own dark valleys and in many ways beyond our understanding He has made it a place of springs (Ps 84:6). I attached a picture of a painting that a dear friend created for us based on Psalm 23 and our journey. It's hanging in our living room as an ebenezer of sorts to remind us of the Father's faithfulness to us ... His guidance, comfort, and presence all along every step of the way and continually as we move forward in the days ahead. 

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His names' sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." - Psalm 23

And your prayers! To hear continually that you are still praying for us is so humbling and encouraging ... we've not felt alone, unseen or forgotten for one moment of this journey. We've prayed for Carson's healing, and the Lord has answered in His way and His time. And we covet your prayers moving forward - for continued remission of active tumor cells and for Carson to be able to wean off of the anti-seizure medicine sooner rather than later. 

Thank you for so faithfully praying and loving us so well! 

The Petersons 

Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Carson Stay Connected to Family and Friends

Your $30 donation to CaringBridge will help keep this site online for one month. And if you donate by March 20, a generous CaringBridge donor will match your donation, dollar for dollar, up to $7,500.

Make your gift in honor of Carson by midnight on March 20 to be counted!

Comments Hide comments

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top