My View of Life - Never Better!

We'll Make It

"There's the head, there's . . ."

"Oh my gosh," Nicole exclaimed cupping her hands over her mouth. "I think I feel my baby's presence."

Jeannie, the sonographer, moved the transducer across the first-time expectant mother's abdomen. "There are the arms, there's . . ." Something caught Jeannie's eye. She worked the transducer to Nicole's left ovary. In seconds she determined the ovary to be very enlarged, and possibly cancerous!

"Is something the matter?" Nicole asked in alarm.

"Oh, sorry," Jennie answered. "I was calculating the gestational age at eleven weeks six days, and your baby looks normal in every way. Jeannie looked away. It took all her wit to cover her concern, but these findings had to be followed with a biopsy and explained by Nicole's Obstetrician, DR. Monson. "I did see that one of your ovaries was a little enlarged. Could be a cyst. Don't be surprised if Dr. Monson wants to do a biopsy."

Two days later Nicole and her husband Nathan sat impatiently in DR. Monson's office. Something wasn't right. He entered, a look of concern on his face. "Nicole, Nathan . . ." He closed his eyes noting their anxiety-ridden faces. "I'm not going to mince any words. Nicole, you have ovarian cancer."

DR. Monson stood still with astonishment. Often a diagnosis of cancer causes the person to cry out. Nicole just sat there, a blank look on her face. After a few moments her jaw tightened. "Tell us what we need to do for our baby that looked perfect on ultrasound, and for me."

"Nicole, we need to verify where cancer has spread, operate immediately, and start you on chemotherapy and/or radiation."

"And the baby?" Nicole asked, her brow furrowed.

"We can't save your baby, but I believe the chances are good that we can save you."

Nicole stood up, walked to the back of the room then turned. "Could you leave us alone for a few minutes?"

Ten minutes later, Nathan left the room with tear-filled eyes. He glanced at DR. Monson, who, upon noticing Nathan, began making his way to the exam room.

"DR. Monson, here's what you're going to do," Nicole stated, standing up, and facing him. "You're going to do all you can for me and my child for three months. At that time the baby will be 24 weeks. You'll perform the C-section, and save my baby. You'll immediately operate on me, start the chemo and radiation, and save my life as well."

"Nicole, we'll lose both of . . ."

"No," Nicole nearly shouted her jaw tight. We can do this. I've already felt the confirming witness of my unborn child, and most of all I have faith in Jesus Christ." Nicole picked up a foot and stomped it down. "We're going to unlock the power of Jesus Christ through our faith or I'm getting another OB."

~ ~ ~ ~

"Abba, thank thee for the opportunity to have a body," Noel exclaimed with a hop in her step. I can't wait to learn and grow, and smell flowers, and . . ." She started twirling.

"You're so full of zeal and happiness, my darling girl. You've been a light to anyone you meet ever since you were born."

Noel stopped twirling, a look of anxiety spreading over her countenance. "Abba, is my earthly mother Nicole going to be okay? When I was with her she seemed . . . anxious."

"Yes, she's anxious, but she is so very strong."

"Is she going to die?"

"Oh my sweet Noel. That is not for you to know yet. All I want you to know is that your Heavenly Father loves you, your earthly mother, and all my children infinitely, and . . . I think you should go down and stay now. Your mother needs you to comfort her."

~ ~ ~ ~

"We can do this Nathan,: Nicole gasped in pain, nearly too weak to talk. She gripped his hands, preparing for a slumber that could be the last of her earthly life. She'd done fairly well to the 22 week mark, fighting back doubts, fears, nausea, weakness, and pain, but the last week showed a doleful decline due to the spreading of her cancer. Her last words permeated the room, "I've felt God's love. I've felt my baby's love. We'll make . . ." The anesthesia took effect. The breathing tube was inserted, and baby Noel was delivered and rushed to the NICU, and then the OR Team began the tedious surgery on Nicole.

Weeks and months drug by as Nicole fought the battle of life in the ICU, hooked up to dozens of lines, tubes, and monitors. Noel, too, fought her own battle in the NICU. Test results of every kind were dismal for both of them. Doctors and nurses couldn't comprehend how they could hang on.

Interestingly enough, word got out. Their story went viral. People all over the world began praying, and it was then that the first positive test results arrived. At the four-month mark baby Noel was declared stable and of normal function, and, at the one year mark, father and daughter received a welcome guest into their home. Valiant, courageous, and beautiful even without hair--the heart of their home and their miracle . . .Nicole.

I wrote this story for four reasons.

1. I experienced a similar case with a patient of mine. In the actual story, the mother declined therapy. She saved her baby but died from the cancer.

2. Some people feel that God can't love us because he allows such hardships to come into our lives. May I emphatically dispel any such notion. I too, have fought the battle of cancer. Never, at any time during my life have I felt closer to my Father in Heaven than when I struggled under the effects of surgery and cancer therapy. I would NEVER change that experience because of the growth and learning that has substantially enriched my life. I also know this for sure. God doesn't care about what we give back to him. He cares about who we give back to him. He doesn't care about the somethings--he cares about the someones--his children. He just want us to learn and grow. Come unto Christ and be perfected in him.

3. Knowing we are children of God dispels all issues related to race and abortion,

4. Mothers mingle with deity when carrying a child. I know these precious souls offer comfort to their mothers as they put their lives on the line to bring children to earth.

Special Thanks to Jeannie the Sonographer and to Nicole my daughter who displayed similar courage as her stories character. Nicole is an exceptional nurse and an even more exceptional wife, mother, and daughter.