Four years ago on Mother’s Day, I spent most of the day fighting back tears because I had to split my time between home and the hospital. When I finally made it to Michael's PICU room, I learned that they found more than ten fractures throughout Michael's body during routine x-ray imaging. We would soon discover that this was the beginning of Michael’s childhood cancer journey on top of his respiratory failure and kidney failure.
Four years later, Michael is now cancer-free, is breathing on his own and has a beautifully working kidney. His body isn't failing, it's thriving. This Mother’s Day, I was able to say for the first time that all of our children are happy, healthy and together at home. A simple gift that I will never take for granted.
Not much can top the homemade Mother's Day gifts I received from my children or the simple gift of having my family together, but my dear friend, Leah Beno, came close to it last night by giving our family the most beautiful gift of sharing Michael's story on our local Fox9 news station.
You can watch the story here:
There is so much more depth to Michael’s story beyond what you can see on the news or read in the words that I type. Michael's story is a complex and intricate story to tell, and Leah did an incredible job putting it together. His story is one of faith & resiliency, miracles & modern medicine.
I pray it gives hope to those who need it and inspires those who watch it. Michael was one of 299 patients in Minnesota to receive a living donor transplant in 2023. If you ever are inspired to become a living kidney donor, I know that right now there are 1,789 people in Minnesota alone who are awaiting this precious gift of life.
I will never stop believing that God is good and that life is always worth fighting for.
May we never underestimate the power of prayer and hope.
Expect a miracle.
