Melissa: Here I go...trying to pen emotions and thoughts. This pic was taken a couple of weeks ago at Montefiore Children’s hospital, oncology unit. My husband and I went to visit Julia Ramos. Julia is the daughter and grand-daughter of long time friends who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. For 15 years I worked in adult oncology. I faced each day with a determination to not allow the pain and uncertainty that cancer diagnosis brings, to touch my emotions.
Now, I found myself staring into the face of a 3 year old who has been wrestling against the horrid effects of chemotherapy, the discomforts of repeated bone marrow biopsies and aspirations, and the inability to do the things 3 year old kids do.
We spent the afternoon playing Candyland, going on a “Cheezit “ picnic and watching big sister Sophia dance in her ballerina outfit. All the while, I couldn’t help but notice the determination that little Julia had in her eyes. The determination to not allow her circumstances to get in the way of her enjoying the things that 3 year old girls enjoy. She stood up against the fatigue of neutropenia (low white blood cell counts), the side effects of IV antibiotics and the constant prodding and poking of hospital staff. Julia is in remission, but must continue chemotherapy and close follow-up for the next 2 years to ensure that she remains cancer free. That day, cancer got to the best of my emotions. It wrecked me to think of the journey that Julia has ahead of her. But, of one thing I am sure of... Julia is determined, and I will cheer her on.
Joseph: Technically, Julia could have left the hospital after our visit. She had finished here treatment for that day and, pending some blood work, was free to go provided the numbers were right. If she went home and the numbers were not right, then they would’ve had to return again the following day (This all coming after living in that hospital for months). What are they to do? Father Manny decided to let Julia stay in the hospital one more night. Why? Go home! No because a young couple, almost identical in age to Manny and Gizelle, just admitted their 8 year old with the same diagnosis (in addition to being autistic). This is where the evidence that something greater than ourselves is at work. Jesus said “please take this cup of suffering from me” [Mk. 14:36). That’s been Manny & Gizelle’s mantra for the past 3 months. But Jesus added, “Yet I want your will to be done”. In essence Jesus is saying: “Abba, this is what I want. But I want what you want more”.
