Our daughter Felicity has cancer. We took her to the doctor May 2 of 2011 – less than a month after her 1st birthday – with a small appetite but a swollen belly. She was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. She had a softball-sized tumor in her abdomen and the cancer had spread via her bone marrow to spots on her spine, forehead, and cheek. The tumor was wrapped around and squeezing her inferior vena cava (IVC), causing distention (swelling), breathing trouble, and difficulty for some of her organs. Although Neuroblastoma is a more common pediatric cancer, Felicity’s case was considered rare because it involved her pancreas and she had an uncommon combination of test results. This meant treating her was a “one step at the time” deal.
It goes without saying this journey has been hard. We lived in the hospital for almost two months. Once we got home, all the medical responsibilities became ours. We had to administer shots, flush lines, and keep up with medications – even simple tasks like bath time had its challenges. We had to travel to the hospital 2-5 times a week for labs, clinic visits, and chemotherapy. When we’re not at the hospital, we have to be so careful about germs and infections that we live in what feels like isolation. We went from being an independent family to having to rely on other people for almost everything. The definition of “normal” life has forever changed for us.
People literally across the country and around the world have been praying for Felicity and supporting our family during this difficult time. They bought her a wagon to travel to the hospital in, provided meals, bought parking passes, made special Felicity-sized hospital gowns, supplied stickers and coloring books, watched our dog, mowed our grass, looked after her twin sister Serenity, provided medical and other supplies, and the list could go on forever…. We can’t tell you how much our family, friends, and many different churches mean to us. They have been the hands and feet of Jesus to us, and their sacrifices on our behalf testify to how God provides for our every need.
When we received the news about Felicity’s cancer, we did the only thing we knew to do – we prayed. We believe in a loving God who hears our prayers, and He has been answering! Felicity is currently not being treated but in observation. Resecting the tumor is too dangerous, so it is still present but not glowing "active" right now. By the grace of God and the fantastic care by the staff at Duke Children’s Hospital, we’ve had one praise report after another. Her bone marrow is now clear of cancer. The spots on her spine, cheek, and forehead are gone. The tumor in her abdomen has shrunk and is currently not showing any activity. She went from learning to eat again to feeding herself and gaining weight with a normal diet. She went from not being able to move to rolling over, sitting up, scooting around on the floor, and now walking, climbing, and jumping. Through it all, Felicity has been a ray of sunshine to our family, her nurses and doctors, and to other patients. Her cheerful disposition and contagious smile live up to her name.
We know that God has big plans for Felicity and our family, and we have faith that He will continue to work miracles through Felicity’s healing of cancer. To us, having faith means believing God no matter what our circumstances or their outcomes. It means loving Him despite our ignorance of His wonderful plans. It means trusting Him to hold true to His promises. We know that His ways are not always our ways, and His answers are not always the answers we are looking for, but they are always the right answers and in His perfect timing. We are thankful for the opportunities He has given us to make His name famous, and regardless of the short-term and long-term results, we will praise His mighty name.
Felicity has received world-class care at Duke Children't Hospital. They directly benefit from the St. Baldrick's foundation and we are happy to participate in such a wonderful event full of hope, love, and generosity. Please consider making a donation.
Follow her story at http://www.carepages.com/carepages/Felicity.