One year ago, my son’s girlfriend watched the Fourth of July fireworks from the rooftop level of the Cleveland Clinic. She stood on her wheelchair to get a better view… and that tells you a little something about the feisty young woman with whom my son fell in love.
Danielle is now Peter’s wife and our dear daughter. Before my oldest sons got married, I didn’t realize what it meant have a daughter “in-law”… didn’t know how it would look or feel. Biology has its natural advantages but I have to tell you, I now have 6 daughters. Period. My heart has been captured. Anyway…
Danielle had been on vacation far from home when she knew something was wrong. She gained 23 pounds of fluid in her abdomen in four days. Eighteen years old, sick and afraid, she navigated a difficult journey home alone and was admitted to one of the world’s best hospital systems.
It took them a week to diagnose her “mystery” illness, but finally gave the shocking news that she had a rare form of ovarian cancer which accounts for only 2% of all cases and almost never afflicts someone so young. She had surgery to clear her abdomen of tumors and to remove a compromised ovary. Doctor Google says that this type of cancer is typically slow growing, but Danielle’s body didn’t seem to get that memo.
A new love and a new cancer diagnosis. Nobody is promised a boring life, I suppose, but some people get the excitement front loaded! Peter sent me this photo from that first hospital trip, and this is a pretty accurate representation of Danielle in the best and worst of times…
Since then, she has radically changed her lifestyle to support and nourish her body and make it as inhospitable to cancer growth as possible. Her commitment to healing has inspired me on many levels. They got engaged and moved up the wedding date just a bit, to make sure that they could enter into a life of deep joys and trials as a team… united in grace.
She has seen many doctors, experienced a return of symptoms, and had a second major abdominal surgery in April, just two months before her wedding to Peter, and less than a year from diagnosis. I asked for prayers from many of you at that time… that she’d be able to dance at her wedding. And yes, she danced! Thank you. Thanks be to God.
About that wedding…
It was an absolutely beautiful day, with a tone of peace and joy set by the bride and groom who radiated gratitude. They have taken nothing for granted. Life is short and precious. But I know that they’d love to see many long years together. I know they’d love the chance to have a family. So…
They need a little help and I’m asking.
How You Can Help
Danielle’s cancer markers have begun to creep upwards again and she has been accepted for specialized care with an oncologist in California. That will involve multiple trips from Ohio, including an extended stay later this summer for intensive treatment. Peter will be traveling with her for that stay, and though they are blessed to have understanding employers and good medical care at this time, there are expenses which will be hanging heavily over their heads during the time of her care.
I am hoping to help them with up to 3 months of expenses, to allow the greatest extent of time for her care and healing, for wages lost to emergency care this summer, for a couple days of simple honeymoon in a little cabin in Ohio…
Mortgage
Car expenses
Utilities
Food
Gas
Incidentals
Uncovered medical expenses
Though their jobs will be held for them, they will not be able to draw a paycheck while away. They live modestly and have already tightened their belts while Peter transitions into a firefighting career. They live in the small upstairs level of a home that they own and rent out the larger lower half. There is a mortgage to be paid. Upkeep to be done. A new roof. A driveway repair that the city is mandating. You know how it goes.
They are responsible and hardworking. Committed to each other, to the Lord, to family.
This latest adventure has cost some sleepless nights on multiple counts—I know most of us can understand that—and so I’m asking…
THREE WAYS TO HELP:
MAKE A DONATION
to Danielle and Peter to help cover expenses related to her treatment
SHARE
with someone who might be able to help
PRAY … So many of you have prayed throughout this journey and I ask you to keep going with us.
How to donate
There are three ways to give:
FreeFunder. We’ve set up a FreeFunder account here: Help Danielle Heal
Check. Please contact me if you’d like to send a check: Contact me
Other creative options? Contact me with your ideas
Thank you so much for whatever prayer or monetary gift you can give. I know they hate to ask but I’m not so hesitant. These are my people and I love them.
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