Saturday, March 19, 2016

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

I left early that morning to drive three hours to  Kansas City to be with my mother for her oncology consult discussing the results of the biopsy and CT scan.  After the biopsy, the nurse informed us that the tumors were highly suspicious.  Hearing that a new tumor had grown in a matter of a week and the biopsy looked highly suspicious really set the stage for the tone and manner of this day.  We all knew what was coming it was just a matter of the logistics involved.  What stage is she at?  How much time do we have?  Who will move home to help care for her?  These, and along with many other questions of the same nature, filled my three hour drive down in the conversations between my siblings and I.

I met her and my uncle (who is a physician) at noon mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel.  I slipped in behind her as mass had already started.  I could see her nervousness and her hands were shaking.  After communion, she sat by me, leaned over and said, "Why did you drive down?"  I told her, "Because I want to see the miracle today."

We left straight from mass and headed to the KU cancer center.  The nurse brought us to a room and took her blood pressure which was way too high.  The nurse acknowledged her nervousness and said they must repeat until it goes down.  They transferred us to the conference room for the consult.  My mom turned to me and said, "I don't like this room.  I always get bad news in this room."  In the cancer world, everything becomes like that.  You associate everything with something.

Dr. McGuirk walked in and we exchanged small talk. He asked me about my family and other bits about my siblings.   I thought it a bit odd as literally my heart could be seen pounding through my shirt.  My uncle had come from Kentucky to help us understand the medical side of her prognosis and to offer his advice on the next step for her.  He is just so wonderful like that.  Dr. McGuirk continued to talk and then turned to my mother and said,

"Damaris, it looks like you have a lot to live for. I HAVE GREAT NEWS FOR YOU.  It is NOT cancer.  The tumors are benign and your CT scan was clear."

What????? How can this be????

I jumped up and grabbed her neck to hug her and did all the inappropriate crying you can imagine.  I looked at my uncle and he was just as stunned.  We were all stunned.  For weeks our minds were heading in a complete different direction, and now he is telling us she is COMPLETELY CANCER FREE.

Dr. McGuirk kept talking but I was fumbling with my phone trying to text all my siblings who were waiting on the other end about to pass out from anticipation.  It was the best text I have ever, ever, ever sent.  My sister said she took a picture of it.  It was unreal. 

How can this be?????  For two weeks, our minds were wrapped around the news that her cancer was already back and spreading.

NOW, you are telling me that this is NOT CANCER!!!!!

He explained the tumors as being part of her new lymph system since her bone marrow transplant.  Her system is learning how to work again and likened it to a coffee filter that was clogged a bit.  He put a strong emphasis on the need to ALWAYS biopsy as you just never know.

We left there and drove straight over to St. Rose Philippine Duchesne church to make a visit and thank Him for his mercies.

I drove back to Lincoln and she drove to Beloit.  I called her several times and asked, "What just happened?  How is this possible?  What just happened?"

It was an absolutely unbelievable day.  Like none I have ever experienced.  We are still reliving it everyday since.  It was that shocking.

The doctors aren't claiming it a miracle, but for our family IT WAS.  It was miraculous.  Indeed, the amount of prayers and sacrifices offered on her behalf played a roll in this unbelievable day.

She will have a scan in 3 months again, and then will be followed with a yearly exam if nothing arises in between.

Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you for our continued prayers.

I have to post this video to describe what this day was like.   I told a friend it was like a Hail Mary pass being tossed in the air to win the game and it is caught and YOU WIN!!! Seriously.  Unbelievable.  I basically was #12 Ron Kellogg the quarterback running around like an idiot!!!





57 comments :

  1. So amazing! Thanks be to God! I will continue to keep her and your family in my prayers.

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  2. Praise God! Tears of happiness for all of you

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  3. May God be praised!!!! I was just wondering about you all earlier. So happy for you all!!!

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  4. I have been waiting on the edge of my seat for an update since seeing your sister's fb post last week! Thank you for sharing the story! Thank you, Jesus, for this wonderful news for your mother! Prayers of gratitude are flowing!

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    1. Thanks so much. I haven't had a moment to type it out to match the excitement of that day. I posted a video to go with it. You have to watch it as this is what it was like that day!!! So awesome!!

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  5. Oh my goodness!! A miracle for your holy mother! Oh wow! Praise God! I've been praying!! I wish I could meet your mother (that probably sounds odd!)- what a gift for all of you! I'll keep praying!

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  6. I am crying tears of joy for all of you!!!!!!!
    God is good!!!
    Amen!!!!

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  7. Lindsay,

    I am crying tears of joy for you and your family and your sweet mom. God is good all the time! What a blessing!

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  8. God is good!!!!! Praise God!!!!! :)))))

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  9. Oh my!!! This is wonderful news!! What an answer to prayer!!

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  10. Amazing news! I have been praying for your family often since your last post- thanks for sharing this wonderful update!

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  11. I cry of joy for you. I heard these words for my mom in September and I also thought the miracle exists. Tomorrow she did a scan I am confident. I prayed for a miracle for my mother and every time I did it for you.
    I'm so happy, I understand so well.
    Enjoy this spring

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  12. What wonderful news! Praise God!

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  13. Lindsay, this is such miraculous news! God is so good!!!

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  14. "Why did you drive down?" I told her, "Because I want to see the miracle today."

    Lindsay your trust and faith are so inspiring. I was really caught by that line and your absolute trust that all would be well and IT WAS!!! Praise God for the healing of your mom!!!!! St. Peregrine, thank you for your intercession. All the Angels and Saints, please keep Damaris cancer-free forever!

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    1. To my dear friend Marie,
      Thank you for the beautiful package that arrived in the mail. My only regret is that I wasn't videotapping the kids watching me open it. The squeals were incredible. The questions were abundant. They quickly pleaded with me to add your painted saint to our collection, but I won't allow it as I am saving it for Lourdes in her baby box. The beautiful prayer book resides on my bedside I am love each quote you picked out. My mother was beyond touched. Only someone who has suffered as you have could put such a beautiful package together even with your own full life. You took time out of your day to make our day bright. I know what it means to get to the post office. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I scoured your blog for an email address to write to you personally but couldn't find it. I looked back through my own emails as I know we had emailed a few times, couldn't find it. I apologize for the informality of writing here, but I just had to tell you how much we loved your package, prayers, and love. God Bless!!!

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  15. Oh I have been praying!!! What wonderful news!!!!!! God is so good. What an Easter celebration you all will have this week.

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  16. Deo Gratias! Deo Gratias! Deo Gratias! I am so happy and thankful for all of you. Such a glorious Easter you shall celebrate together this year! Deo Gratias!

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  17. Praise God! I'm so happy for you all.

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  18. I've been checking the blog waiting to hear this story after I saw the Facebook post! Glory to God for his gracious favor! Blessings on your mother and all your family!

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  19. Thank you for taking the time to give this incredible update! Like many others, I've been hoping for news. You and your family have been in my prayers, and I am so happy to read the good news.

    What a terrible and beautiful Lenten season you've had.

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  20. Seriously the best news ever! To God be the glory!! So happy for you all, what a beautiful Easter celebration your family will have.

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  21. Oh, Lindsay, you took me from tears to laughter in this post. I might have to start calling you Ron Kellogg :) Thanks for this beautiful post!

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  22. Tears of joy from Estonia too! But I will still continue praying for your beautiful family and mother!
    Helena

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  23. Ahh! Incredible, simply incredible, wonderful news!!

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  24. Yes, a miracle indeed! I'm crying tears of joy for your mom and all of your family. I've been praying for your mom ever since her diagnosis and I was so heartbroken that the cancer may have returned. Praise be to God!

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  25. Wonderful news I am so happy for your family. Best wishes from Wellington, New Zealand. Emma

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  26. God is so very good! I echo all the other sentiments. I'm in tears knowing what a gift and a miracle this is for your faith-filled family! May she have many years to enjoy all those beautiful grandchildren!!!

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  27. Praising our Almighty God for this wonderful news! I have been checking daily for updates and this was sooooo amazing to read!! Our God is an awesome God!! May god bless your mother and the family always!

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  28. I am crying! What a merciful God we have!

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  29. Very Happy for you!!!

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  30. So incredibly happy to read this! Praise God!!!

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  31. So very, very happy to read this. Thank You, Jesus for your infinite mercy.

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  32. Praise God for the miracle he has given!!! Thank you, Jesus!! I have read your blog for years, never commenting but admiring all you do and your beautiful faith. Seemed liked the right day to comment! I could not be happier for your family!! What a way to head into Holy Week.

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  33. I have enjoyed reading your blog for a long time...I am So very happy for you!! I have been praying for your mom throughout her cancer battle! God is Great!! What a beautiful Easter blessing you and your family have been given!! My own dad is in the cancer battle of his life right now and your faithfulness has been such an inspiration to me!! If I may ask, please say a prayer for my dad, and I will continue to hold your mom and your family close in my prayers!! God Bless!!

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  34. I am in tears. God is good, and to Him be the glory!

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  35. I am so happy to hear this wonderful news! It truly is a miracle!

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  36. A miracle indeed!! Praise God for His mercy and His healing!! So does this meas you'll hop back onto the Mrs Right project??!?!

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  37. Beyond overjoyed and happy for your family. God truly does answer prayers! To Him be the glory!

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  38. And every knee shall bend at HIS NAME. How HE loves your mother......how He loves you.....how HE loves us all. An Easter Miracle. Such a time of tremendous Joy, Peace and Love for you and your entire family. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.................
    So happy for you all. Prayers and Love from Ohio. (and tears of joy)

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  39. Best news I've heard all year!!! Your family has been in my prayers and will continue to be! Tears of joy being shed all the way from Texas 😊

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  40. I'm just seeing this after Easter. Praise God for miracles! Best news ever.

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  41. SO SO SO happy for you and your family! Such incredibly great news, truly a miracle.

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  42. The Lord God be praised! Nothing is to hard for Him! His mercies endure forever!

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  43. I even have been getting a lot of helpful and informative material in your web site. healthform.org/

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