I need everyone to pray for a friend tonight -
When Noah was first diagnosed, I was desparate to talk to another Mother… someone who could give me any advise…direction…anything. Sarah gave me her anonymity and let me call her. She talked to me for hours – until after midnight. She is an amazing woman. Marlie, her 7 year old superhero, has been in remission and now is not. Her story is below.
I want to share our prayers with them. I don’t understand this disease and I hate it. God, my heart is breaking and I don’t understand. But I do Believe and I love You as Sarah does. Please pray for this family – a can barely type through the tears.
Thank you all!
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Oh, My Sweet Marlie
Posted 7 hours ago
Hello Team Marlie,
It has been weeks, and I am so sorry for that. It has been emotionally exhausting to take in all that has happened over the past few weeks.
Let’s rewind to last week. Marlie was hospitalized for uncontrollable diarrhea. When we made the decision to take her to the ER, she was weak, and on the verge of dehydration. Thankfully, she was immediately hooked up to IV fluids and actually felt better with in hours. Although she was feeling better; days went by with severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. There was not a moment that passed that Marlie was not in pain, throwing up or sitting on the potty. It was exhausting for me; I can only imagine how her body felt. Being the strong girl she is; she worked her way thru the week with a smile on her face.
Throughout last week; we had a shimmer of hope. Marlie was scanned and we felt like there was great news in the future for little Marlie (no tumors had grown, and the spin even improved). As the week went on, side effects from chemo began to get harder and harder on her body. By Friday it was clear; chemotherapy treatment is too much on Marlie’s body.
Although it came as shock to our family; coming to the end of treatment was no surprise to our Marlie. Marlie had took it upon herself to share with Dr. Eslin, Dr. Smith, a PA, and one of her nurses that she was done with treatment. I am not sure how the conversation went, but I do know that her doctors felt as though Marlie was right on target with her body and what she wanted. Later she finally said to me “you know mommy when I die, you will be very sad. But I will be very happy with Jesus” NO one has told Marlie she is going to die; Marlie truly had a conversation with God. She said he told her He was going to bring her home, and Papa would be there too. I told her if she was done with her fight that Mommy would be ok, BUT if she was not; she could live here on Earth and have a wonderful story to share for the Lord. Marlie began to cry; though her tears she said “ thank you mommy, but I am ready to be with Jesus”.
At this point in Marlie’s battle, chemo will only keep the tumors at bay; the drugs that Marlie’s body can handle will never kill the cancer cells. As a family, and in honoring little Marlie’s wishes, we have decided to ended all treatment for Marlie.
Yesterday when I took her to pray with Pastor Wayne, he told her of the beautiful crown that was being made for her! He told her it would be so big that she would throw her crown at the feet of Jesus; Marlie roared with laughter, she exclaimed “I can not wait to see Jesus”. God will bring His child home, and His child is ready.
I am honored to be her mommy. I think Marlie is a profound statement of love and Gods will. She is taking time to learn of the voice she has been hearing, and talking to. It has beautiful to teach her about the Holy Spirit, and how to sit and listen to God. She may only be seven; but she gets it!
Our social worker and Marlie’s doctors urged me to take a full leave from the classroom, of which I will do. My last day in my classroom will be October 31, 2011. From then on, I will be taking in every moment the Lord blesses me with my sweet little girl.
Team Marlie, this truly has been the hardest update to post thus far. I want you all to know that not for a moment do I feel the Lord has let us down; in fact I can feel His love and peace now more than ever. I know that my baby has lived and loved her Jesus and that the moment her work on Earth is completed; she will “go home”. Until then we will continue to praise Him, we will pray for peace and acceptance, we will pray for more of the amazing daily miracles for Marlie we have been blessed with, we will love one another, we will share Marlie’s story and offer hope to others; even in our hardest times, We will pray for pain free days, we will pray the arms of Jesus are wrapped around us all. Team Marlie please join me in those prayers for Marlie, myself and my family.
All of my love and thanks,
Sarah
… Pirates of the Caribbean - with all Lego characters present. After this past 2 years, neither of my children are afraid of anything. (Other than IV’s…that’s it!!!)
