Our first Miracle on PRAISE 106.5 is Mariana, featuring her sweet family of 5 who have been helping their youngest through her cancer journey.
Nominated by Eliane. Here is what she wrote:
My friends Mariana & Kevin have gone through a lot of hardship and their journey is still not over. Their youngest daughter Lucia, (I believe she is 4 yrs old), was diagnosed with cancer a few months after she was born. Her treatment began during COVID, only 1 parent was allowed in the hospital with her through it all. She lost a leg during her battle with cancer but has been in remission for a couple of years now. In her most recent routine follow up scans for LI- Fraumeni they found a brain tumor. She had surgery 4 weeks ago and begins radiation this Monday. They have 2 older children as well (9 & 7) I personally know how difficult this journey is and how it affects the entire family, as my 9 yr old is currently in remission from cancer.
The winter months and through the holidays were incredibly depressing and difficult to get through. Being with your child in the hospital and watching them endure chemo treatment causes you to become a shell of who you once were, witnessing your child’s pain and suffering. It felt dark, hopeless and depressing much of the time but you have to mask that as a parent in order to be strong and present for your child, as well as for your other children.
So, I’d like to nominate Mariana and her family for a magical Christmas this year. Perhaps some gift cards to go out to eat, fuel gift cards (they travel to Seattle children’s for treatment), beautiful decorations, presents for their 3 children this Christmas. Or if their schedule allows it perhaps a vacation for the family? I would just love for them to receive an amazing blessing this year that brings them joy and good memories for their family during this uncertain and scary time. A small bright light that shines during this dark time makes a HUGE difference for families dealing with pediatric cancer.
Mariana will be receiving Christmas surprises to help them celebrate Christmas together, and beyond.
Merry Christmas to all!
Transcription:
Lynette:
Hi! Lynette here on Christmas PRAISE 106.5. And so excited to share a story, and surprise someone with a special miracle this Christmas. Okay, we’re going to make the phone call.
Mariana:
Hello
Lynette:
Merry Christmas. By any chance, is this Mariana?
Mariana:
This is she.
Lynette:
Hi Mariana. This is Lynette at PRAISE 106.5. How are you?
Mariana:
Doing good. How are you doing?
Lynette:
Very good. And we are a radio station and we have been wanting to grant some little miracles for some folks this year at Christmas. And you had a friend that nominated you and your husband, because you’ve gone through some tough stuff. And you’ve got a little girl named Lucia, is that right?
Mariana:
That is right, yes.
Lynette:
And we thought, you know what? You need a little extra Christmas cheer this year, and we have some things for you, but I wanted to know if you could share a little bit about what’s going on in your life.
Mariana:
Sure thing. Thank you so much, first of all. This is wonderful. My little girl, she’s four years old, she is a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with cancer when she was five months old. It was a sarcoma, which is a muscle cancer. And she unfortunately, she lost her left leg because the cancer was so aggressive. It didn’t respond to chemo. And she was just diagnosed with a second cancer, a brain tumor. And this is because she has a genetic previous disposition to develop cancer. It has syndrome called LI- Fraumeni.
Lynette:
So you got a lot going on, and a lot of trips to Seattle Children’s Hospital. I understand.
Mariana:
Yes.
Lynette:
And two older children, you’ve got two more children, so it affects the whole family. Could you tell me about them?
Mariana:
Their names are Patrick and Eileen. Patrick just turned 10 this weekend. Eileen is seven. It’s tough on everybody, but I think for siblings they have a tougher time. It’s difficult in a different way. They sometimes miss attention. All the focus is on the other kiddo. It’s pretty traumatic for them as well.
Lynette:
Oh, I can’t even imagine. Mariana. And we want you to know that we are all praying for you and we’re thinking of you this year, this Christmas. And your friend nominated you. Your story was chosen. So, we have a gift card for you, some gifts for the children, and a gift card for you to do some fun things this Christmas together as a family, to shine a little light into what’s going on in your lives this year at Christmas.
Mariana:
Thank you. I really, really appreciate that. It’s wonderful. Thank you so much.
Lynette:
Another Miracle on PRAISE 106.5, and it’s brought to you by Walton Beverage. We’re working together to give people a Christmas they won’t forget. More miracles on the horizon on Christmas PRAISE 106.5.
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