Before dinner earlier, I read an email that sucked the wind out of me. Kelly emailed Diabetes Advocates about the Schuhmachers and a dreaded diagnosis. The Schuhmachers are a precious family in this online community. Ryan and Meri are the proud parents of four boys — three of whom have type 1 diabetes. Meri blogs at Our Diabetic Life about their family’s life in 3D.
This is from the family’s Facebook page:
Ryan and Meri Schuhmacher have been married for 19 years. They have four sons, ranging in age from 8-16 years of age. Three of their boys have type 1 diabetes. On Feb. 26, 2012, Ryan was taken to the emergency room for an evaluation of right sided leg numbness/heaviness. The head CT discovered that he has six brain tumors. Further testing revealed tumors in his lungs and abdomen as well… Ryan is 40 years old. The road ahead will be long and rocky. It will be filled with radiation and new drugs that have only recently been approved by the FDA. It will be filled with exhausting emotions, moments of fear and endless questions. But it will also be filled with hope, a determined spirit and faith beyond measure. Please join the family in praying for a miracle.
Ask any parent of a child with type 1 diabetes if life is tough and you will get an overwhelming response of YES! Then ask them to imagine it with three children. You cannot begin to fathom the responsibility, the patience or the faith it requires. Meri and Ryan manage their hectic and chaotic life with grace and ease. She has been there for parents of children with diabetes for years, a valuable part of the Diabetes Online Community. And now, they need us to be there for them.
If you’re reading this, I’m asking you to life this family up in your prayers. The family has set aside Sunday as a day of fasting and prayer for Ryan and the family. I wish I could be there to pray over him, but I will be praying from here. Please share this request with your friends. Please ask others to join you in prayer for this special family!
Lord, I lift the Schuhmachers up to you. I give you this entire situation and ask that You use this for Your glory somehow. God, only You can heal Ryan. I have seen You do it. Lord, let your power be displayed through this illness. Help Ryan to fight and guide the doctors and nurses as they work to treat this cancer. Lord, I lift up Meri to you. Give her strength like she didn’t know she was capable of having. Hold her up and wrap Your loving arms around her. Put people in her life to support her and encourage her. Give her peace and understanding and please give her strength to be there for her husband and her boys. Lord, I don’t understand why these things happen, but I know You have a purpose in all You do. Protect this family, and protect these children. Let their diabetes run smoothly and take that worry away from Meri. Place people in their lives that can manage and handle type 1. Give these boys a peace and discernment to see Your hand at work. Lord, you are the great physician. I ask you to heal this man and protect and love this family.
Joining you in praying for this precious family! It just seems like too much but we know that God will work all things together for our good (those who follow Him) and His glory! Praying for miracles!