My Leukemia Story
On March 7th, 2003, at 4.5 year old, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. (ALL)
In the course of a week, I became pale and almost yellow. I was constantly exhausted and would fall asleep easily anywhere. I would wake up from my naps with pain in my sides (my spleen was exceedingly swollen). My parents knew something was wrong so they took me to the pediatrician. As soon as the nurse saw me, she knew I was sick. The doctor took 5 minutes to examine me and immediately ordered a rush blood test. My parents were informed that night that it was leukemia. They had 24 hours to make a decision on where they wanted to send me because my condition was time-sensitive. Before they could fly me out anywhere, I had to have 2 blood transfusions that night or I wouldn't survive the flight. We flew out to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN the next day and they were ready to try and save my life.
98% of my cells were leukemic.
The cancer was consuming my body fast. I also had pneumonia and contracted an infection from a spinal tap that caused my lower back to turn black. I wasn't expected to survive after a week. The doctors couldn't treat the cancer without progressing the pneumonia, and they couldn't treat the pneumonia without progressing the cancer. Either medicine could kill me. So a team of doctors came up with a plan to give me a little bit of medicine for both and different antibiotics for the infection.
We needed a miracle.
I was so sick that I fell asleep for 3 days and didn't wake up. They didn't think I would. I had thousands of prayer warriors praying for me. My school, church, youth groups, friends, families, complete strangers that heard about my story was praying.
My parents prayed so hard and even told God that if it was His will, they will trust in Him.
A little while after that, I woke up to my parents at the end of my bed & said,
"I hungry"
They were so happy!
"What do you want??"
"I want chicken & rice (my favorite combo at the time) and I want to watch Cinderella."
It was already in the VCR and ready to be played, so they got it started. The cafeteria was closed so my dad called every place he could to try and find somewhere that would deliver chicken & rice, and he did.
During those 3 days, I went to Heaven and met Jesus.
He told me that it was time to go back.
"Go back? I don't want to go back."
"It's not your time yet."
"Okay."
The next morning, I had a team of 8 or 9 doctors come in my room and they all stood around me, shocked and amazed. I was eating breakfast and coloring; feeling a lot better.
One doctor had tears streaming down his face and said,
"This is a miracle."
My cancer story is the reason why I'm a strong believer in God and my faith. Without Him, I would not be here. And because He brought me back, I KNOW I have a purpose in my life & will always live to serve Him. Everything I do is for God and His glory!
St. Jude's also saved my life and I am forever grateful to the amazing staff that God blessed us with.
I am a forever supporter of St. Jude's which is why $1 from every single purchase goes towards St. Jude Children's Research.
(And yes, friends. The story of when I went to Heaven is coming soon!)