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Maryah Therese Emerson-Tift

"Stay Prayed Up"
"Courage is fear that has said it's prayers!"
St. Therese-The Little Flower
SCARS ARE JUST TATTOOS WITH BETTER STORIES!!!
ASAP- Alway's Say A Prayer!!!!
F.R.O.G.-Forever Rely On God

January 5th, 2004 Maryah had pain in her right leg just above her knee, so after a visit to Dr. Jaeger at Central Pediatrics, she had an x-ray, followed by an MRI. The next day...

January 6th, 2004 diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma (a rare form of bone cancer). Maryah had surgery on May 10th, 2004 to remove and replace her right femur and knee. She was treated with 16 rounds of chemotherapy and finished in September of 2004. We have been blessed daily and have met many new friends who have touched our hearts deeply. In our quiet times we remember each of you and give thanks for you. We will continue to use this page to update you on Maryah's progress. Thank you and God Bless!

On July 27th, 2005 we learned Maryah had a recurrence of Ewing's Sarcoma. Upon hearing the news, with tears as well as a twinkle in her eye, she told us quietly "I'm strong" and "God doesn't want me yet". We believe her. This time Maryah endured and completed 10 more rounds of chemo and 25 sessions of radiation.

On January 29, 2007 Maryah was diagnosed for the third time with bone cancer. Though she is strong in God's love and grace and a proven veteran, the news does not get any easier. There are some things in this world in which we have no control, however, we can control how we go through life. Maryah is once again taking this challenge head-on and like Maya Angelou she says "And still I rise".

Maryah was on chemo and completed another 26 sessions of radiation...which brings her overall total -so far- to roughly 40 rounds of chemo and 51 sessions of radiation, 3 major surgeries, too many smaller surgeries to count, many nights in the hospital, hundreds of shots, thousands of pills, and yet she continues on and so must we.

December, 2007 - Maryah had scans that showed five more spots. She will do another 12 rounds of chemo and 15 sessions of radiation.

January, 2008 - More scans, more spots in chest, head, and maybe two in left leg - more chemo, more radiation, MORE FIGHT left. We are not joking when we call Maryah "The Champ"!

March, 2009 - Tumors found in hip and top of the head. Maryah is tired of the battles though she is committed to winning the war. She is our peaceful warrior and her walk with God is a testament to faith in action. May continued love, grace, peace, comfort, and joy be felt and shared...

August, 2009 - Tumor number 11 found in hip. Radiation and chemo. Maryah is now well over 100 sessions total of radiation and somewhere around 70 total rounds of chemo. This time she is tired...because she only had a few months to recuperate...and yet the Champ is fighting on. Giving up is not an option! We have come to learn that some struggles in life do not belong to us...and by giving them up to God our struggles can become blessings. There are no struggles nor problems bigger than God and so we continue relying on God to see us through these hard times. We thank you for joining us along the way and helping to make the load a little less to carry...

November, 2009 after neck pain, headaches, fevers, scans, cold sores, and many visits to the ER doctors informed us three tumors showed up on her ribs (each on a different rib) and two on her spine. This time it's a different ball game because Maryah was already on chemo...but "The Champ" fights on. Maryah is sharing her concerns and sadness openly and through it all is showing in weakness there is strength. We're saying the things we need to say - not because we're giving up...because we're not even close to giving up - but because life is full of richness and depth so sharing often and boldly is LIVING!

Mid-November 2009 - doctors told us there are spots up and down spine, on left ribs, in both hips, and on left leg. Chemo is no longer an option and neither is radiation. We have one last 'medical' option available - which is a clinical trial - though our faith teaches us we have many 'spiritual' options...and so we will continue to "pray hard, walk tall, do right!".

Feb. 2010 - Had "the talk" with doctors...was told we're out of medical options. Maryah is hanging up the gloves and retiring from the ring. She's NOT giving up...she's just done fighting. Maryah will always be the "Champ"...

May 15, 2010 - God Won the fight by TKO...he made sure cancer didn't win and that Maryah would go in glory and grace. May God Bless our daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend as her spirit lives on to continue teaching us all a great love of God and others. Peace be with you our precious girl...you are free...

Journal

Wednesday, June 17th, 2015

Father's Day is this Sunday!

I give thanks for the Champ who taught me about being a Dad and showed us all how to LIVE FULLY...and for this we have gratitude!

Pray Hard, Walk Tall, Do Right!

-Zach, Maryah's Dad, and retired Ringman

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Links:

http://crescentcove.org   Crescent Cove - Future respite/hospice center
http://www.margaretpalmerjewelry.com   Maryah's Necklace
  


 
 

E-mail Author: rachelperez01@comcast.net

 
 

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