Please pray for my cousin Esther

Hey Friends-

I have some hard news to share. Below I copied an email from Esther's family (my cousin) about her current condition. Esther is an amazing cousin of mine, a bridesmaid in my wedding, and a close friend... she was diagnosed with brain cancer in July 2007. through surgery and chemo/radiation the cancer was eradicated, but unfortunately it has returned. Please read the email below and pray when you can. You can also visit helpsaveesther.com to donate funds for her treatment. The treatment she needs is only available at MD Anderson and their family insurance doesn't have coverage there.

Esther has been cancer free for more than 6 months now, but Esther had an MRI test this weekend and found out she has another tumor in her lower spine. We found out today the cancer has spread from her lower spine, to her neck, and to her brain. This time the cancer is really aggressive and did not respond to the chemotherapy the first time. They are treating her with radiation at Scott and White in Houston but the are trying to get her in at M.D. Anderson in Houston for better treatment. The cancer is too aggressive and growing rapidly. Please pray for Esther and her family at this time. Thank you so much for your love and support. I know I can trust you will pray to God on their behalf.

Below is the email from her family.


Dear family and friends,

As a family we really want to tell you how thankful we are for your tremendous prayer support for Esther during this time. God, He knows best. As you know, we received a call last Friday from Esther’s doctor that there has been a recurrence of cancer in Esther’s lower spine.

Yesterday we met with an oncologist to find out the full results of what is going on, and what we should expect. With great sadness in our hearts, we have come to find out that the cancer called Medulloblastoma which had originally formed in her brain has now formed in her lower spine where she has been feeling pain. In addition to her spine, the MRI results are showing spread to the brain, lesions in the neck area, and metastasis to her bones. The most significant concern for Esther is that this cancer has become extremely aggressive over a very short period of time, and seems to show that the cancer cells became resistant to the chemotherapy that was administered to her a few months ago. They are running more tests on her today to find out if it has gone to other places in her body, like her chest.

The doctor is trying to set up an appointment upon our request, for Esther to be treated at M.D. Anderson in Houston. We have not yet heard when that appointment will be, and we are not sure how long it will take due to high volume of requests for patient care at their facility. Until then, the doctors are trying to set Esther up for some radiation to the lower spine at Scott & White in Temple. They will try and do as much as they can, giving some new types of chemotherapy and radiation.

Overall however, her cancer has rapidly advanced to Stage 4- the highest level of metastasis (spread). The doctor said that the chances of finding a cure for her are very slim.

We TRUST in God…we will not give up hope and we will not fall into despair, because our hope alone is in Christ. This Christ, He loves her more than any of us could ever love her, and though this is not making any sense- we are trusting that He is a good God. He promises that He is always FOR us, never against us. That is what we are holding on to. Please please continue to pray for us, and continue to call us and encourage us. The truth will make us free.

With love,
The Boyalapalli Family