July 2, 2010
Thanks from the Hunter's
Posted by Isaac Hunter
On behalf of my whole family, I would like to thank you for your kind words, notes of encouragement, and prayers for Ava. We are very grateful.
I wasn’t going to mention anyone by name because I cannot possibly mention everyone by name… but, just because you can’t say everything nice about everyone doesn’t mean you shouldn’t say a few nice things about some. So, family members excluded (they’ve all been awesome), here is a woefully incomprehensive list of a few people whose actions over the last few days have been much appreciated.
Tim and Eleanor Tracey: They’ve got lots to do. They shelved a bunch of it. They know Josh and Lisa, and they are there with them. They aren’t trying to be important, they are trying to be helpful, which makes them… Awesome.
Kyle and Sarah Mattingly: Josh and Lisa’s neighbors. Mowing yards… fixing sprinklers, taking care of Josh and Lisa’s ancient dog… Awesome.
Lori and Hannah Groves: Princess Hannah Bannana or Hannahbina is mentioned frequently in the Princess Avabina stories… ‘cause she is one of Ava’s heroes. She is Noah’s age and she lent Ava her iPod for the week. This was very kind. Lori (Hannah’s mom) has been there every step of the way… Awesome
Allison the Night Nurse: Ava really likes her.
Dr. Pattisapu: Brilliant surgeon who did great work with the knife.
Sid Cash: Sid’s a banker and a follower of Jesus. He is the banker for Hunter Vision (and Summit’s as well). He has made sure my brothers have what they need to open the Lasik clinic every step of the way, including this one. His help and faithfulness have been key in relieving some of the Hunter Vision pressures, so Josh can get more done for the clinic and Ava. . If you have any money… you should put it in Sid’s bank, New Traditions. (I’m not joking.) He is a fine man, and I trust him.
I know there are lots of people not on this list that should be, but that doesn’t mean you are any less appreciated. If you’ve said a prayer for Ava—we appreciate it.
If you want to know what you can do next:
1. Keep praying: Josh’s Blog is the best source of information on how to pray each step of the way. The more people praying, the better.
2. Research and let Josh and Lisa know about any non-crazy (i.e. don’t write about the healing power of leaches, bathing in plum juice, or the life-giving melodies of Darius Rucker) treatments for GBM. If you know someone in the field, or you know someone who has been healed of a GBM (particularly as a child), let them know on Josh’s blog.
3. This will seem disconnected, but it is not. If circumstances were normal, I would not use this blog to direct business anywhere, but circumstances are far from normal.
You can sign up here to have your Lasik, Botox, Latisse, or cataract surgery done at Hunter Vision. Josh runs the business side of Hunter Vision. If they have more patients than they can shake a stick at in the first six months, he will have one less thing to concern himself with… that’s a good thing.
The immediate success of this new eye clinic is a minor concern compared to the enormous struggle they are dealing with right now, but the two issues are not divorced—they are intertwined.
My guess is all that comes next will be expensive. Many of the treatment options they are considering may not be covered by insurance, which means they will cost lots of money— Josh’s income is linked to the clinic. If the clinic does well, Josh and Lisa will have greater means to battle this cancer.
Plus, Joel is a genius and a highly skilled surgeon, and he will do a really good job. It’s a win-win… you see clearly and their future looks better.
Mostly I wanted to say thanks. I believe by creed (The Apostles Creed, not Scott Stapp’s band) in “the communion of the saints.” That belief has been confirmed in a thousand different ways in the last week. We are grateful.
