April 28, 2019

Ten years ago today – April 28, 2009 – at age 10, Julianne had surgery and was diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma.  It was a nightmare.  Telling her she had cancer the following day was beyond horrific.  She cried, “I don’t wanna die!”  I learned that day that her favorite Bible verse was Joshua 1:9, which she learned at Vacation Bible School:  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Julianne was strong and courageous in 2009, and she remains so today! 

Julianne had lots of treatments, scans and tests over the following months in 2009, and by God’s grace she is healthy today and preparing to begin nursing school in the fall.  (She was inspired by the best nurses ever at Children’s of Alabama!)  Praise God!!!

Each member of our family was hugely impacted by what we went through with Julianne.  In addition to Julianne wanting to be a nurse, both her siblings have chosen the medical field.  We have met so many wonderful people along the way – physicians, nurses, other patients and families, Camp Smile-A-Mile campers and counselors.  This pediatric cancer “family” is one we’d never have chosen to join, but we have been richly blessed by the compassion of those who’ve taken care of, prayed for, and befriended us along the way.  Our hearts have broken for those families who’ve lost their children to this dreadful disease we know as cancer.

Above all, we are grateful to God for rescuing, carrying, holding, and sustaining Julianne and each of us.  I continue to pray Isaiah 46:3-4, which became “her verses” before Julianne was even born as she threatened to arrive prematurely. 

“Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
all you who remain of the house of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since you were conceived,
and have carried since your birth.
Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”  Isaiah 46:3-4

To every person who sent a card, checked Caringbridge, brought food, or said a prayer on Julianne’s behalf, THANK YOU!  We are eternally grateful to God and to you!  And we welcome your continued prayers for good health as Julianne prepares to “pay it forward” by becoming a nurse. 

With a grateful heart,

Barbara