Miranda's Journey

Miranda's journey started over 12 years ago. 

Her story:  12 years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer in both my throat and lungs, and I left home to receive treatment at MD Anderson in Texas.  Since then I have been relatively cancer free!


I was married to my sweet husband, Phillip in May of 2016.  Life is wonderful.  

But In November 2018 it had been difficult to eat and drink, something in my throat had been causing issues. I reunited with my original medical team at MD Anderson from  my first bout with cancer to begin consults for surgeries and other medical needs/ plans. Two weeks into this visit, after several tests and a biopsy, I was again diagnosed with cancer in my throat. 

After many tests and lots of prayers they got some great news!

Bear with us as we are excited to tell the whole story.

After the 2nd biopsy on December 14th, her doctor called us last week with an official diagnosis of papillary squamous cell carcinoma. Major surgery and immunotherapy seemed to be the only options. The following day we went to further discuss which option would be most likely and both sounded disheartening. The doctor proceeded to look at her throat to assess how it was healing from the biopsy and see how the remaining cancer tissue appeared. As he looked around he became increasingly excited and stated that everything looked great and he wasn't going to pursue treatment!

Guys! He said he didn't see anymore yellow granule cancer tissue!! Just a small patch of red that we will come back in March to monitor! Praise Jesus! We were not expecting this outcome, the doctors were not expecting this, and we are overjoyed that God decided to remove this cancer and are so blessed that this is now part of our testimony!


Now the current part of the story: 

On May 1, 2019 they celebrated their third anniversary!   In September 2019 they announced that Miranda was pregnant and due in the middle of February 2020!  In October they announced that she was going to have a sweet boy!  Celebrations were going on everywhere. 


At the same time during a routine check of the throat the doctors spotted a lump on the other side of her throat. After a biopsy they determined it to be a return of the cancer from 2018. It was thought to be very slow going so they decided to take a cautious watch and complete scans after she delivered. But in late November she began to have pain in her jaw and face. Due to severe pain, numbness, weight loss, and sudden muscle atrophy in December an emergency MRI was done and a second tumor was discovered at the base of my skull that is pushing on her facial nerves. After several long weeks it was time to make the decision to deliver the baby early in order to pursue pain relief and further treatment for Miranda.


On Thursday, January 9 Seth Phillip Holljes was born! 4 lbs 15 oz and 18 ½" long!

Now the rest of the journey begins!