In July of 2018, God intervened in our family in a mysterious way (as he often does).
Oliver was three years old at the time.
A recent move to a new home left him unfamiliar with the floor plan, and an innocent curiosity about what was behind a door led to a terrifying fall down a flight of stairs.
Of course, God wasn't surprised, and he used that situation to ensure doctors would perform a CT scan and later an MRI. What Oliver's parents (Bill and Erika Schmitt) learned was not the good news they were hoping for. While he didn't have any fractures or other trauma from the fall, the initial CT scan revealed at least one tumor on his brain and the subsequent MRI found additional tumors. This ultimately lead to the diagnosis of a disease called Neurofibromatosis I (NF1).
The doctors aren’t able to operate to have the tumors removed because the operation would be very risky, would likely cause blindness, and there was a high probability they wouldn't be able to remove all of the tumors anyhow.
There wasn't a lot to be done other than to start monitoring the tumors, performing regular scans and tracking their growth (if any). Tumors associated with this disease are typically slow growing but it is possible they can continue to grow.
Additionally, his physical growth and development has been impacted by the NF1 diagnosis, and he has been growing incredibly too quickly to the point where as a four year old they were concerned about him beginning puberty. As a result, he has to have shots three times per day to keep his growth hormone in check. He has also had a small implant in his arm to suppress puberty until an appropriate age.
It's somewhat common for children diagnosed with this condition to outgrow it around age 8 as long as the tumors don't grow rapidly before then.
Fast forward one year to the summer of 2019. Oliver had been undergoing scans and tests every three months to monitor the tumors. All seemed to be going as well as it could considering he has brain tumors. In fact, one more scan that showed the tumors hadn't grown would allow him to space the tests out to once every six months instead of every three.
Once again, this precious family did not get the news they were hoping to.
The tumors were growing.
Simply monitoring was no longer an option. Instead, a more aggressive solution needed to be considered. And that's when we heard the word.
Chemotherapy.
The word is already full of emotion and heartbreak. It has sadness, sickness and despair associated with it. Although it's been effective for many people, it seems the side effects and scariness are more well known. It's a horrible thing for anyone to have to experience.
But for a child? A four year old child? It's a heavy time in the life of my sister's family.
On August 30, 2019 Oliver had his first chemo treatment. And since then, every week for the next 15 months he will go into the Iowa Children's Hospital for continued chemotherapy treatments.
This is no small challenge.
This beautiful growing family of four (Erika is pregnant now with a baby girl!) has some difficult days ahead of them.
Not only do they have to drive to Iowa City each week, but they will have to pay medical bills, buy prescriptions, arrange sitters, purchase meals, buy sanitary products to keep Oliver's surroundings as clean as possible while his immune system is severely compromised. And did I mention Erika's pregnant?
As a family of faithful believers in God's ability to provide and sustain, we know he will continue to protect the Schmitt family.
But as I watch the Schmitts walk through this storm, I also feel called to rally others in support of the entire family.
Will you commit to praying for the Schmitts?
Prayer is needed constantly to protect this child and his family. Here are a few ideas of things that need to be covered in prayer. That symptoms associated with chemo would be reduced; that the family would have safety as they travel to and from appointments; that the doctors would have wisdom in the treatment plan; that Oliver's brother Henrik would continue to grow healthily; that Erika's pregnancy would be without complication, that the family's faith and optimism would remain intact, and that in everything God would be glorified .
The worst nightmare of any parent is seeing their child walk through the darkest of situations, and chemo is about as dark as it gets.
But even into the darkness, we know God brings light. Where there is light there can be no darkness. So right now, we stand as a family and a community rallying around the Schmitts to pray and proclaim that God is still good. That Jesus died for Oliver that he might know him and spend eternity with him. We proclaim that the tumors will shrink.
That God is protecting Oliver.
And we proclaim that Oliver will conquer chemo!
If you'd like to contribute to help the Schmitts cover medical expenses and other costs please click the "Ways to Help" button above and select the GoFundMe page we've created on their behalf. Thank you!
Oliver and his family are thrilled to give you this update:
Last month Oliver reached the end of his first 15 month chemo cycle! The medical team at the University of Iowa’s Children’s Hospital has been incredible through the entire journey and they helped Oliver celebrate his last chemo treatment with a song, a gift, and of course ringing that bell loud and proud!
A couple of weeks later the Schmitt family returned to do a routine follow up MRI which showed that enough positive progress had been made with the tumors that he could get his port removed.
After yet another COVID test to make sure he could safely undergo the surgery (seriously, this six year old is a champ), Oliver got his port removed!!
Although the journey is far from over, the entire Schmitt family and everyone who knows and loves Oliver is thankful for this wonderful news. God truly has watched over him this past year. Shielding him and his family from any illness for more than a year in the middle of a pandemic is no small miracle!
The next steps for Oliver will include scans every three months to make sure the tumors remain stable and lots of prayers that no more chemo treatments will be necessary in the future.
To those of you reading this who have faithfully prayed for Oliver and his family, sent gifts and cards to keep his spirits high, provided meals, sent a donation to help with medical expenses, and all the other ways you’ve supported the Schmitts....THANK YOU!
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