Well, a month has passed since we have updated you on our friend Evan Moon who is battling brain cancer. Maybe the posts have been quiet, but NOT Evan. He continues to grow his vocabulary, speaking to friends, family, health care providers and strangers every day. Evan still gets words tangled and may call someone the wrong name, but his brain is slowly relearning how to pronounce words and get out the vocabulary that he thinks he is saying. He is learning how to read again and to write with his right hand. As only God would have it, Evan can sing worship songs, pray without tangling up one word and quote scripture. How fascinating is that!??
The radiation could impact his vision and his teeth, so his schedule has included dental and eye exams. Both came back with great reports and no decline in either area. The Moon’s say, “we are so blessed!” Of course he had fun with both his dental and vision appointments and sent pictures to share.
Evan’s hair took longer than expected to start falling out from the treatment, so in Evan fashion, he enjoyed dying his hair and looking a little crazy. Evan delights in life and if he can bring a smile to someone, he never minds “embarrassing” himself to do just that!
His hair was perfect timing for Joel and Gayle Gilbert’s 50th Anniversary Hawaiian Luau. Evan was able to travel to Birmingham for the weekend and join in on the festivities as a special surprise to the Gilbert’s. Of course friends were delighted to see him and a few gathered for an impromptu cookout to spend time with Evan. He makes it clear that he’s not looking for “the Evan show” so each time he comes we try to invite different friends that he would enjoy seeing.
During his visits to Birmingham, he has also gotten his serve on. We rescue donuts on Saturday and Sunday mornings and Evan was able to go one morning to help with the donation pickup. He also helped fold support letters for one of our full time staff volunteers. Maybe he cannot help move a refrigerator right now, but what he can do, he does with zeal.
His most recent MRI, which also serves as his baseline MRI, has results the doctors call “stable” and the doctors are pleased. He still has some swelling around the tumor site so we look forward to that area continuing to improve.
Evan works hard with the Emory therapists and they have been wonderful to teach techniques for home exercise. A recumbent bike has just been added to his routine. It is a challenge, but Evan is determined.
The year long chemotherapy has begun. Evan is very positive about the need to follow through on the therapy and return to work in the future.
Please pray for Evan as chemo is very difficult. He feels weak and struggles to have an appetite. He wants to sleep and his energy is very low. Continue to pray for complete healing and recovery. His left arm has been slow to recover so he is giving even more time and effort to mobilize his arm. Some say his arm movement may never return, but Evan is determined.
Evan heard a quote on TV the other day and asked his mother to write it down. It was so like Evan to be excited about it.
“Service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on earth.”
-Mohammad Ali
As lives get crazy, work demands and kid schedules pull us in a million directions, and the days fly by, please remember to pray for the Moon family. The fight against brain cancer is not for sissies. They are all exhausted. Evan wants to stay positive, but the truth is sometimes he feels down and grumpy. Evan needs friends to stop by for a visit, he needs healthy food to eat, he needs motivation to keep exercising, he needs energy to practice his walking, and most of all he needs all of us to keep praying for God to complete heal him. Denise and Terry, Evan’s parents, feel the weight of finances, they need to cook nutritious meals, to fit fun into the daily therapy and chemo regiment, to keep Evan’s mind active, to motivate his exercise and remind him to practice his writing, to keep the medication in order and make it to all the doctor appointments on time. The Moon family is holding fast to Jesus and our prayers, fellowship and small gestures of love help keep them going when they feel weak.
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16
From Evan’s parents:
Evan underwent his first round of chemotherapy. It was double the dose he had previously and it was hard on him. We had to reduce his physical therapy schedule, but we are working hard at home to keep up with a few of the major exercises. He has eleven more treatments to go. The next one will be another increase in dose, but not as drastic. He remains strong in spirit and shares his story with everyone. He shared with a youth group on a recent Sunday night.
This week he is feeling a little stronger and has volunteered to be a “practice patient” for a training class. Denise is preparing to return to work weekends only. Terry will be with Evan and Denise’s weekend work will not interfere with Evan’s many appointments.
We thank you for your prayers, your monetary support, the food and your visits. We cherish all of you.
If you feel God leading you to help support the Moon family with the unexpected expenses, here’s how you give:
Checks can be mailed to:
Grace Klein Community, Inc., 1678 Montgomery Hwy #104, Birmingham, AL 35216
OR via our website: gracekleincommunity.com/donate
Memo: Evan Moon Assistance Program
