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(Reprinted from December 2002)
As I lay on the floor in my neighbor’s townhouse, I wondered if I was going to die. Paralysis was taking over the right side of my body from my toes to my shoulders for some unknown reason. My neighbors and family were rushing around, calling Doctors and an ambulance, as I lay on the floor holding my neighbor’s hand and asking him if I was going to die? He assured me that I was not.
My first thought was prayer, God had been there for me since I was nine (9) years old and I had first accepted Christ as my Savior. During the 47 years of my life, I had been through some “true” struggles and battles, but He was always there. Sometimes, as in the poem “Footprints” He carried me. But always, as I would come through the crisis, I could see where God had control and guided me. I wasn't’t afraid to die. I knew I would be in heaven. But what about my children?
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I have five (5) beautiful blessings (children) from God; Jason (24), Aprille (23), Heather (19) Brittaney (14) and Timmy (11). Psalms 139:13-16.. Had I done everything possible as a Mother to make sure they had accepted Christ as their Savior?
I also have a daughter-in-law, Tonya, and a son-in-law, Darrell. Had I shared my faith with them? And five (5) beautiful grandchildren; (Taylor, Elexis, Karlie, Evan and Megan); did they know that their “Nana” loves God and had accepted Christ as her Savior? What about my neighbors and friends? If I was drawing my last breath, could I be certain I had shared Christ with my friends and neighbors? I knew I needed time to make sure.
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As the Paramedics stabilized me and transported me via ambulance to the hospital, I saw the fear on my loved one’s faces. The Doctors were puzzled and uncertain of the cause of the paralysis as they examined me. After the usual procedures, they ran a CAT scan…and then the devastating news. I had one large brain tumor and multiple smaller ones. I think I sat there in shock as I watched the Doctors share the news with my children and they began to cry. But somehow I knew God was in charge. Scared? Of course! What next? Who knew? Within moments, it seemed, dear friends were at the hospital and stayed by my side and my children’s for encouragement and support.
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I was admitted to the hospital for more testing and procedures. I believe it was the next day that we formed the term “Tumor Humor”. I was trying to relieve some of the pressure for my kids and laughter is the best medicine (next to prayer of course!). As my son said, I had a lot on my mind! I explained now I had an excuse for calling the children the wrong names. (Tumor Humor; hereinafter "T.H.") I think my Boss was relieved that it wasn't him causing all my headaches the past few weeks (T.H.)
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I spoke to Tonya and Jason and asked them when they went home to ”hold hands and pray together” before they went to sleep that night. I told them not only would God listen to their prayers for me, but also it would strengthen their marriage. The next morning when they came to the hospital Tonya whispered to me, “We did it.” See God was already working in this crisis! Do you pray for your spouse or significant other? How about with them? I tried to especially share my faith with my children over the next few days. We cried and we laughed. Sometimes people looked puzzled as we shared “Tumor Humor”. We weren't being disrespectful to anyone sharing this type of crisis; we just needed to laugh as a family.
MY CHILDREN
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Jason is the oldest so a lot of responsibility fell on his shoulders as I went over my estate documents and designated him as my Power of Attorney. He really did not want to discuss these issues, but as I explained, unfortunately with the luck of the draw, he was the firstborn. And I knew his wife, Tonya, (Proverbs 19-14) would be there to support and encourage him as she had done so often in the past. Jason has always been my support of laughter, but at this time it broke by heart to see his tears flow. (Romans 12:8-12).
My daughter, Aprille, is pregnant and expecting my sixth grandchild at any time. I was amazed at her strength and courage as she helped in this crisis and as she spent long hours away from her husband, Darrell, (Ephesians 5:25) and was at the hospital. Hard-headedness must run in the family! Better have her head checked. (T.H.) And the “expected” baby waited patiently to come, until he could get a little attention, too. I think Aprille “willed” the baby to wait until the timing was right. I look forward to her teaching my grandchildren about Jesus and His love. (Proverbs 31:10).
My daughter, Heather, was in North Carolina in college preparing for finals when Aprille called her with the news. All she could think about was getting home to be with me. Two days later, after they were able to postpone her final exams, she was anxious to fly home. However, then there was bad weather and snow and her flight was cancelled. She was determined to get home if she had to make the eight-hour drive alone. Wonder who she gets her hard head from? Better have her checked too! (T.H.) The next day she was at my bedside amidst changed flights and exhaustion. (Matthew 5:7)
Brittaney was there from the onset of the paralysis at my neighbor’s home, to the ambulance ride, to the consultations with the Doctors. She is very mature for 14 years old, and amazes me with her compassion. She would have quit school and stayed by my side if I had allowed her. We tried so hard to keep her involved in church activities and cheerleading. (However, Britt, the cheers in the living room were a bit much with my headaches) (T.H.) I love you, sweetie! (Philippians 1:8-10).
Timmy – my youngest and truly a gifted child! We kept him “in the dark” a lot because of his age and his own medical problems. But he was quick to pray for me and give me his unconditional love. I explained to him I would be having surgery at Johns Hopkins where he had heart surgery only about five (5) years ago. God had performed miracles then with him and would with me too. We just had to have faith and continue in prayer. (Matthew 17:19-20).
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CHRISTMAS 2002
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Every year at Christmas when we set up our Nativity display, we remove “Baby Jesus” until Christmas morning. Over the years the children have taken turns hiding Baby Jesus in their room until Christmas morning when they have the “honor” of placing Baby Jesus in the Manager, first, before we start our usual Christmas proceedings. (Except for the year one of the kids lost Baby Jesus in their bedroom and we had to delay Christmas to “find” Him first.) This year I was given the “honor” of holding Baby Jesus for that Special Christmas morning. What a special Christmas celebration this will be!
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My Pastor, Bill Warren, was prayerfully, emotionally, and spiritually there for me as he has been so many times in the past. We laughed together, shared together, and prayed together. I shared my wishes for my funeral, if God did take me home. I wanted it to be a time of rejoicing, because I knew I would be in heaven. I just needed to make sure my kids would be too!
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It was a long week with tears, fears, much stress, and lots of prayer! I had people all over the East Coast and all the way to Florida praying for me. I was truly overwhelmed at the response of people with phone calls, meals, flowers and their generosity. The kids became full time secretaries just answering the phones. Sometimes you think you do not have a lot of friends, and then, in a strange way, God showed me how many people loved me! My Mother and siblings who live in Alabama, called numerous times a day to check on me and were anxious to be here and help. People and friends in my legal profession offered food, to help with the younger children and to run errands. My Bosses and friends at the law firm I worked for were a constant source of emotional strength and encouragement. My Boss even prepared Estate documents and had them to the hospital for me the next day. A new record I think, and without my help! (T.H.) And my children were my constant source of love, encouragement, tears, and laughter. Anyone who wonders why I have five children…It’s times like these, watching them pull together and support each other. The difficult times and struggles were forgotten as we appreciated each other! They are truly a blessing from God. Psalms 127:3 “Children are a gift from the Lord, they are a reward from Him.”
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I was seen at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland about a week later. The next few days they ran a whole new series of X-rays, M.R.I.’s, and P.E.T. & CAT scans. I should really be glowing from all the radiation. In fact, I didn't need blush this morning! (T.H.) They discovered that the primary tumor was in the brain and I did not have any other tumor cells in my body. I keep telling people all I have going for me is my brain. (T.H.) What a blessing and an answer to prayer!
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NEXT IS SURGERY!
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I talked with the Neurosurgeon, and he patiently answered all my questions – even my egotistical ones like how much hair would I lose? Jason and Timmy had offered to shave their heads if I had to have mine shaved. Boys, you are in luck! (T. H.) Lucky for them I will only lose a “strip” which as the Doctor said a good hairdresser could camouflage.
NOTE: Remind Aprille to call my hairdresser, Jennifer, for an appointment. (T.H.)
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As I sit here anticipating surgery in the next few days, I thank God for so many things. For my beautiful children, my friends, my Mother and siblings, my bosses, my co-workers and especially the Doctors who will be performing the surgery with God guiding their hands.
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If you were anticipating this kind of surgery tomorrow or next week, do you have the kind of peace that I have? Have you shared your faith with your children, family and friends? Do you know Christ as your personal Savior? If not, you still have time to accept Him…just close your eyes and pray and ask Him to come into your heart…and while you are talking to God, say a special prayer for me!
Yours in Christ,
Sandra J. Wyatt
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Isaiah 4: 10
"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed; for I am your God, I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand".
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UPDATES SINCE SURGERY
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This document was written in December of 2002, when I was diagnosed with multiple meningioma brain tumors. I had surgery on December 23, 2002 and the doctors at Johns Hopkins removed multiple meningioma tumors. They were unable to remove three (3) of the tumors at that time, and I have follow up check-ups yearly at Johns Hopkins for these three tumors.
Today, I have 9 grandchildren! My children have grown since the time of my surgery and expanded their families. Jason is a security specialist with a major retailer and he and his wife now have 4 children; Aprille and her husband run an alarm business and have 4 children and one due in July; Heather and her husband live in North Carolina and added Davis, my 9th grandchild to our family. Brittaney is in college in NC, near her sister Heather, and Tim is a Junior in High School. He has plans to join the army soon and serve his country.
As for me, I have started Designer Principals, LLC, a web site design company, and was married to Greg Loew on November 3rd of 2007. On December 3, 2007 I had my 5 year anniversary as a Brain Tumor Survivor. At my last check up at Johns Hopkins, for the first time since my surgery, the neurosurgeon sees some "small" growth with one of my present tumors. We will watch and follow this.
I am currently writing a book called COME WALK WITH ME about my experiences and journey as a Brain Tumor Survivor. It will have chapters written by members of my family as they walked through this experience with me and the wondeful people I have met since I began this journey.
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Providing Seeds of "Hope" To Grow A Garden Of "Love".
