The Madness of Hope

Health of my Daughter

There was a time when my daughter’s heath was uncertain, when the fear of her losing her hair or leg was of minor concern compared to that of losing her life. That was a time of pleading with God, of hospitals and tests, and of the support of friends, acquaintances and even strangers.

After nine months of pain, doctor’s visits and tests, a biopsy of her left leg done in Honduras, retuned conflicting diagnosis‘: osteomyelitis (infection of the bone) and osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Our surgeon was certain it was not an infection and instructed us to return to the United States.

Three days later we were in the Oncology offices of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. That visit that was followed by a month of tests, finally resulting in another biopsy.

We battled in prayer with believers around the world, all asking God for a miracle: a diagnosis of infection in place of cancer. Prayer warriers popped up from Africa, India, New Zealand and all over Central America.

On the day of the second biopsy, the surgeon told me there was no puss, indicating no infection, and that we were to wait. So we waiting and agonized in prayer.

The day we received the results will forever stay sketched in my memory, “The good news is that it is not cancer. The bad news is that we cannot figure out what it is.”

The cells were unrecognized by the pathologists. That is because they were cells of a miracle. God transformed cells that lead to death to cells of an unknown nature, for what do those of a miracle resemble?

The biopsy slides were sent to Mayo Clinic and 4 other laboratories, presenting a mystery to all. So Adele was tested for parasites, Tuberculosis, autoimmune diseases and all results were negative.

Meanwhile the mass in her bone grew until, four months later, it was removed and her bone filled with a grafting material.

The Doctors, unfamiliar with such divine interception, told us, “Since we do not know what it is, we will treat it like an infection.” Yet they gave us oral antibiotics in place of an extended hospital stay with IV drugs as one normally treats osteomyelitis.

Today, as Adele struggles with deciding on her ‘life plan’, battles spring fever not wanting to study, and faces the raging hormones of a seventeen year old girl, I rejoice. She is facing challenges now but nothing like those of a life with cancer.

I know God spared her life for a purpose and lovingly wait to see His plan unfold for her.

I had the privilege of going on a mission trip with my daughter a couple years ago and seeing her through a mother's eyes as she showed compassion and love for the people of Honduras.

Now, I have Entrusted Her to a Stranger, as she is serving God in South Africa. God has given her a passion, love and boldness far beyond her seventeen years. This is just the beginning of what He is doing in her life and I know He saved her life for a reason: to bring glory to Him.