Myliza Madison Myliza’s Milestones

Hi everyone,

My name is Myliza Lorelei Madison. Although I am only 4 1/2 months old, I feel led to share my story of God’s protection and unmatchable strength. He saved my life and is at work within my family and I each and every day.  I see the evidence of His goodness all over my life. Here is a piece of my story.  God is still writing the rest.   

My beautiful mommy, Charity Madison, was very sick while I was growing in her tummy.  She was so sweet and patient with me while God was knitting me carefully in her womb. My mommy would read to me daily; she would also talk to me and sing to me often. There is nothing more soothing than my mother’s voice.  To let her know I was there listening, I kicked and gave her horrible gas.  She still struggles with gas to this day.  Poor mommy and all of the sacrifices she has made. I hope she knows how much I appreciate and love her.  I was perfectly content in her tummy and didn’t’ want to come out.  I was born at 41 weeks.  My poor mommy had to be induced because of my stubbornness.

I am so happy that I finally made my grand appearance so that I could meet this amazing family of mine.   My sister, M’Rylee, calls me Lizie Lou and Chub Chub. I can’t wait until I learn how to talk so that I can call her the nicknames I’ve picked out for her.  Hehe!  My sister is my biggest fan and my best friend. She is so smart, and I learn so much just by watching and listening to her.  Do you know that I have a dog Zoe?  I could watch her run and play all day, but when she howls it hurts my ears.

My daddy, Glenn Madison, always sings to me.  He actually has a really good voice.  He makes me laugh because of the goofy faces he makes.  He is my protector.  

My mommy adores me and makes me feel so loved.  When she sings to me, my heart melts.  My favorite song she sings is “When You Say Nothing At All” by Alison Kraus.  The connection I share with my mommy is stronger than anything in this world.

I am a very calm and happy baby (so I’ve been told) except for when I am hangry.  Even in the midst of illness, my joy remains.  Making people smile is my favorite.  I also love cooing and blowing raspberries.

One day in early December, I started feeling sick.  According to my mommy, I was running a fever, so she took me to the doctor.  He reassured us that it was likely a viral infection and recommended supportive treatment.  Soon after, any time I would drink my mommy’s milk, it would come back up.  My mommy took me to the doctor again.  He prescribed me a medicine that was supposed to help my tummy but it didn’t.  I love when my mommy rubs my tummy, but this time, it just wasn’t helping.  I was tired all the time and no longer my happy normal self.

I get to spend afternoons with my incredible Grammy while mommy works from home.  She has a special touch and is always so gentle with me.  One afternoon, I was sleeping in her arms.  I heard her talking to God.  She said “Please God, put Jesus’ blood in her veins and cure her from what the enemy is out to destroy.”  Later that night, Grammy and Grandpa came back over and told mommy to take me to the emergency room.  Grammy said the Holy Spirit told her that we needed to go now.  I didn’t know what was happening, but I will never forget the concerned look on Grammy’s face.  Mommy immediately drove me to Banner Desert Hospital in Mesa.  We waited a very long time.  I started to feel more and more tired.  I slept in my mommy’s comforting arms.  A nurse pricked my finger and I didn’t even feel it; that’s how tired and out of it I was. I felt like there was a storm going on inside my body and that I could do nothing to stop it. I didn’t even have the energy to cry.  

Finally, a doctor came in and woke me up.  He felt around on my belly and said he didn’t like how swollen it was.  Next thing I knew, another man came in the room and used a magic wand to take pictures of my belly.  He was really nice at first, but after he finished taking pictures, he looked really scared.  Then, a lady came in with a needle to poke my arm.  She poked me a lot of times.  Daddy arrived from work in his police uniform.  We waited and waited and waited some more.  

A different doctor entered the room.  She told mommy and daddy “your daughter has leukemia.”  My mommy was so upset; she screamed like I had never heard her do before.  I wanted to hug my mommy and tell her that everything is going to be okay.

This is my story.  I am a 4 1/2 month old baby girl with infant leukemia (acute lymphoblastic leukemia).  It’s been a whirlwind.  On that first day, I had a blood and platelet transfusion; these levels were so low because of all the cancer cells taking over my body.  I had a picc line placed and then a port.  I am now undergoing chemo and steroid treatments.  In spite of everything I’ve experienced during the past week, Jesus continues to give me unmatchable strength and lasting hope.  My mommy continues to make me smile and laugh each and every day. I’ve been told that I am very strong and that I am taking all  of this like a champ. My mommy said that my theme song is “Champion” by Carrie Underwood and Ludacris.  We jam out to this every morning. I love my mommy’s sweet dance moves.  

All in all, I am a very blessed baby girl, and I will continue to smile through the pain.  Jesus saved my life.  I am a miracle.  Let’s not forget to praise Him through this storm.  I have an army of angels and prayer warriors battling this with me. Jesus is within me and carrying me every step of the way.  I am His precious daughter, crowned with mercy, love, and grace.  His ways and thoughts are higher than ours.  Jesus is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.

Jesus has given me this beautiful life, and I will keep living each day to the fullest.  He is still writing my story.  Stay tuned and never lose heart or faith.  #MYLIZASTRONG