It was a typical June morning in Washington, our oldest daughter,Francesca, age 4, came down for breakfast and told me she had a dream and Jesus told her that I had a baby girl in my tummy! I was a bit surprised at her matter of fact statement...this was not a normal conversation starter for our home; we had not talked about having another baby with her. Todd and I had just recently discussed to one another, having a 3rd. After pondering her random "proclamation from God", I decided to go buy a pregnancy test that afternoon just to be certain. I was not "late" yet...so I was pretty sure nothing would even show up, it was immediately positive! I called Todd at work, and much to his surprise and joy, we were expecting baby #3!
Fast forward to 20 weeks, when we discover we are indeed having a girl...I made sure to prep Francesca before the ultrasound appointment, for any disappointment, if she heard wrong. Oh ye of little faith!
The beginning of the new year, 2008, Todd discovers a lump and decides to have it checked out. He has scans and surgery to remove the lump. That little inconvenience is over, and I prepare and plan for my C-section, scheduled for April 4th. We are excited to welcome our sweet Sophia!
We receive a phone call days after Todd's surgery, late in March, that rocks our secure world as we know it.
The few words I remember hearing that day...Cancer...Three kinds...Spread...Treatment...Immediately!
I am 9 months pregnant at this time, scheduled for my third C-section, sitting in the Oncology office with my husband saying (in my head) "Whoa, hold up!! We are having a baby here...pretty obvious to notice this bulge... you're are a Doctor right? I know you can see that we don't have room in our family for the "C" word right now... "
We were, by far, the youngest ones in the waiting room, I didn't see any pregnant women for sure! We kept saying in our minds "We don't belong here."
The Doctor recommended treatment immediately, as this was a curable cancer,with good success rates, if they came at it hard and fast with multiple drugs. So, we agreed to begin just days after the birth of our daughter.
Todd had his first chemo treatment the day we brought our sweet baby girl home!
To say it was difficult, would be an understatement, there really are no words, and for us, it was good to walk by Faith for the next nine months, if we had known what we would face in the coming days and weeks, we would have never taken the next step forward.
If anyone asked me if having a third child and recovering from my surgery while my husband fought cancer at the same time was a good idea, I would probably cry...actually... I did, many times...but Sophia was such a gift of joy on the darkest days. Her quiet rest, having no concept of the storm brewing around her, brought a peace from the Father that cannot be described. Some days when Todd couldn't get out of bed, because he was so weak from treatment, I would place her in his arms and she would just sleep.
We didn't know the miracle and blessing we were holding, the Doctor told us months later she was surprised that we were even able to conceive, the cancer had already begun to multiply in Todd's body months before he found the lump making it virtually impossible.
Thank you Jesus for the miracle of Sophia Renee, Thank you for six wonderful years of her life that marks the anniversary of a journey to deeper Faith in a God we cannot see, but Trust Him, knowing all things filter through His loving hands before they even touch us. Thank you Father for life in the midst of pain. Thank you for the destiny you have for us as your children as we walk in obedience.
Psalm 31:19 "How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world"
ALL GLORY TO YOUR NAME!
Such a sweet remembrance of the Father's great love for us. Tears at my desk this morning. Thanks for sharing the story--again! Happy Birthday Sophia!
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