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| Wendi, Emily and Gabriella |
I knew she had a tumor in her brainstem, but her mom had said it was non-cancerous and a grade II, so I had assumed the prognosis was hopeful. She is a little doll, and she has taken to Bella and I, evidently asking for me repeatedly during the day when we're not "home" (we were gone from 8am to 7 pm today).
Tonight I learned from her mom that she has what's called a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, DIPG for short, and although they are here going through radiation, the average prognosis is 6 months to a year. We were talking about how hard it is to look at our children, who seem perfectly healthy on the outside (this little girl is in the same week of treatment as Mark and hasn't lost any hair), laughing and playing, and yet they are seriously ill. We talked about all of the things I wrote about last night. We talked about our worries and how when she spoke to Make a Wish about their Disney trip, she'd been told that the foundation understood from the doctors that this is a rush situation so the turnaround time will be fast.
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| Emily and Gabriella, in one of the movie lounges at Holcombe House |
What does that even mean, she asked, when an organization like Make a Wish says it's a rush. How can that be? I'm so sad for them, well as sad as I can be right now. I can't imagine. And at the same time she started crying for me because I'm so far from my family. And this is how we help carry each other through: we carry a piece of each other's pain with us.
Please pray for them. The little girl's name is Emily.
Adding them to the prayer list.
ReplyDeleteBy Jennifer Courtney — Apr 8, 2015 6:47am
Praying for her and her family tonight.
ReplyDeleteBy Leann — Apr 8, 2015 12:37am
Uplifting prayers for her right now and adding her to my prayer list. Please keep us updated. Hugs! May you feel the presence of the one who is our true comforter! ❤ you!
ReplyDeleteBy Pamela Crockford — Apr 7, 2015 1:36pm
Praying for you and your family and Emily and her family.
ReplyDeleteBy Sue Edwards — Apr 7, 2015 1:33pm
Little Emily and her family will be added to my prayer list. My friend's son also had his wish granted and after his treatment he is with us. I know is s long way but miracles do happen. With lovingprayers for you all. I remember Mark in Adoration on Sunday and so will keep praying for all those who need God mercy.
ReplyDeleteBy Maria Ritter — last edited Apr 7, 2015 1:23pm
Wendi I just spoke a few weeks ago to a former teacher at one of the kids' schools (I had met her briefly and loved her style but she switched jobs before the kids started . . . ). Anyway she's now an administrator at one of the Catholic schools here in the TC Metro. She lost her little three year old to the same illness as Emily has. It's just heartbreaking. I will offer up my uber-challenging day for this little girl and her family - for strength in the days ahead. Especially for the mom.
ReplyDeleteBy The Phelans — Apr 7, 2015 12:36pm
God in your infinite mercy, please grant health to this young lady, and to Mark as well. Who else do we turn to. There is no one else other than you. Mary mother of God, please intercede and restore good health to each. Amen.
ReplyDeleteBy Joe Russo — Apr 7, 2015 12:34pm