Fun Friday



What a fun way to end this month of Liver Cancer Awareness. Three years ago today a precious friend lost her fight to FHC. Today, I am happy to share with you her mother is gaining a new liver. She is in surgery now as I type this receiving a liver transplant. God is amazing! His timing is amazing! Giving Him all the glory! I know you are dancing Jessy for your mom!

Take a stand Thursday

(Tessa a 14-year-old girl who awaits a liver transplant)

As we draw close to the end of October, this means we are near the end of Liver Cancer Awareness month too. Help me rock out one of these last days by helping me "take a stand" for a mother, Dawn McQuinn, who's taking a stand for her very own daughter, Tessa, in hopes of finding a liver for the liver transplant Tessa awaits.

Dawn recently wrote a letter to CBC, Canadian Broadcasting Corp. similar to CNN, to gain national awareness for the type of liver cancer, FHC, Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma , Tessa is battling. More so than anything to gain awareness for organ donors as well. And I can see why. 

Read below Dawn's letter she sent.

Tessa's Story: A letter to the CBC National

I am writing to you about a story of a young 14 yr girl named Tessa Williams. She lives in Black Creek (near Courtenay BC). She has an incredibly special message to share with the world.

Since Tessa was a young girl at the age of 5, she had regular stomach nausea and pains upon awakening and beginning school almost daily. This continued over the years up until she was 13. We sought medical direction but was unsuccessful in finding out what it could be. The best answers we could find were possible abdominal migraines, anxiety/depression and nervous stomach etc.

In 2013-1014 Tessa started highschool and her stomach discomfort increased into worse pain and nausea. At the same time, she was watching her dear grandfather, who had lived with us since she was very young, pass on. Simultaneously, a friend at her school was tragically killed in an automobile long boarding accident Jan 2 ( Ciaran Martin). His family donated all of his organs to BC Transplant as a wish he made clear prior to his death. During this time, she became very close to Ciaran's mother wanting to help raise awareness regarding organ transplant in small ways she could. She felt passionate that youth know about the registry and tried to get the word out to honor her friend in an effort to give his mortal loss meaning and leave a legacy to others.

Tessa was becoming very anxious, depressed and physically unwell. We sought mental health along with our family doctor to find some answers. Still her blood work came back normal with the exception of slight anemia and slightly elevated liver enzymes. We took her to a psychiatrist, a counsellor and our local mental health for help. She went on a variety of anti depressants, and other medications to try to find some relief thinking that her abdominal discomforts were psychosomatic (related to her brain and circumstances of late). These remedies did not help and symptoms became much worse. Then the vomiting began…

In the early summer of 2014 her doctor and I agreed that we should take a look inside to see if there is anything going on and referred her to a pediatrician. Tessa had an ultra sound on her abdomen with in a month.

Later that summer, just as her 14 Birthday arrived, her results had also arrived. A very large mass was found on her liver. She missed her 14 b day plans and was immediately sent to BC Childrens Oncology Dept for review by Dr. Melissa Harvey. Tessa went through a number of CT scans, MRIs and a PET scan all with in a few days. The confirmation, that a mass was present, very large, near her hepatic vein and to which suspiciously resembled an extremely rare form of liver cancer that only strikes young adults and teenagers, was made.

FIBROLAMELLAR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA strikes aprox 200 young people annually WORLD WIDE. The only possible cures are removal of the diseased liver or a complete liver transplant. It is a cancer that has a tenancy to metastasize and re occure over time. Our family was absolutely devastated with proportions of pain that are indescribable.

Tessa was in surgery under Dr. Eric Webber and Dr. Charles Scudamore at BC Children's Hospital with in 10 days. On Aug 28 2014, Tessa had 2/3 of her liver removed. The large tumor was removed along with all of her lymph nodes (that were clear) but unfortunately, there remained "positive margins". This means that the hepatic vasculature appeared to have been infiltrated by the cancer cells and concerns that fibers of the cancer was remaining in her body. It was too dangerous to remove any further liver near the mass as it was too close to the vein.

Tessa recovered from her surgery well and returned home mid September where she continued to recover at home. She had lost a great deal of weight and her nausea and vomiting continued for a number of weeks.

While she is back at GP Vanier high school persevering to seek a normal teen life.......she finds out that it is not over....

Tessa now awaits a liver transplant. This beautiful young girl who was so deeply affected by the loss of a friend, who donated all of his organs, only 9 months earlier and was so passionate about getting the word out about organ donation, has come full circle. Tessa, in a strange twist of fate, finds herself on the other side of the spectrum: as a hopeful organ recipient of the most precious gift of life…....

We will be returning to Vancouver Nov 16-19 for her transplant preparations under Dr. Charles Scudamore, where she is on the active transplant list here in BC.

There is a facebook support page called Tessas Journey where her friends and supporters can leave her messages and hear her updates. Our local YANA (You are not alone) support system has been wonderful and have asked to do a documentary on her story to help her desire to spread the word about this cancer and organ donation. There is a facebook campaign to try to have Tessa meet her idol on the Ellen Degeneres show to spread awareness. She originally requested it to be her "make a wish" but was informed that although they hate to deny any wish, seeing Ellen is next to impossible.

I am so proud of my daughter for fighting through her fear, and anxiety of all that has unfolded for her at her age and still continues to inspire others. It has been extremely hard to watch her story unfold especially in light of her recent difficult year of losses causing many nightmares and fears regarding her own mortality. Tessa faces her worst fear (literally) as she finds her path directed now to a journey of survival. She has motivated and inspired so many youth as evidenced by her facebook page comments. Tessa is a strong strong young girl who is loved deeply by those who know her. She never asks for help and is always willing to be there for someone else. It is a bitter sweet conundrum.

I am writing to you to seek help in granting her wish to publicize her story......to get the word out about Fibrolamellar HCC and to tell the world, especially Canada, that organ donation is a gift she hopes she receives from the generosity of others who will make an attempt at registering. There are young people dying and needing organ transplants along with the older generation. Canada needs to hear these stories to help make change.

Thank you so much for your time.
Very sincerely,
Tessa's Mum - Dawn 
Black Creek, BC, Canada




Take a stand Thursday replaces Thursday Turtles today on Ashley's Art Closet. 


Tessa made a video in hopes of making her story go viral…
for
liver cancer awareness, Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma
and 
organ donation awareness

Wednesday Words

Welcome to Wednesday Words here at Ashley's Art Closet. I heart Wednesday Words! I never really know where it's going to take us. Today, I have Tania from Standish, Maine with us. Tania is going to share insight into her personal recently short journey of liver cancer honoring Liver Cancer Awareness month. October is almost over people, let's rock this out by welcoming Tania, I am so glad you are with us. It means a lot to me and others you took the time today to share with us your story. Go green! 

Briefly, share with us what life was like before cancer. 

I am a 32 year old wife and mother of 2.  We were married on August 272005.  Our oldest daughter Paige Rose was born on August 8, 2006, and our youngest Caitlyn Renee was born May 5, 2008.   I was/am self-employed, I own Tania’s Tots Preschool and have been in business for 9 years.  I have a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Special Education. I love teaching. I opened my business September 5, 2005, the day after we returned from our honeymoon in a 250 square foot room and have since expanded to a 1350 square foot building with 2 classrooms and 2 other teachers. 

Share with us how you found out.  What were your symptoms?

In March of 2012, my best friend and I decided that we were going to start running.  We were both turning 30, had kiddos and wanted to get into shape.  We started training for a 5k and were running 3-4 days a week.  It was exhausting.  I couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t build up my endurance. We attributed it to working in the preschool 50-60 hours a week, being a busy mom and the running.  I completed my 1st 5k but was experiencing shortness of breath and shoulder pain.  One night a few of us went out to dinner and I felt a pop in my side, a few hours later I was in pain.  I honestly thought it was my gallbladder.  I spent 2 days in bed taking Tylenol and Advil around the clock.  Monday morning I had reached my breaking point.  We put our oldest on the school bus and my husband drove me to the emergency room.  It was our 7th Anniversary, and we were spending the day in the ER.  A technician came in to complete an ultrasound and the look on his face told me there was a BIG problem.  15 minutes later my room was full of doctors and nurses.  They told me I had a “hepatic adenoma” and it had ruptured bleeding into my liver.  They admitted me to the hospital and the next day they performed an embolization to stop the building.  I spent 2 more days in the hospital and was released.  I was set up with Dr. Lisa Rutstein surgical liver oncologist.  She monitored the adenoma by MRI every 90 days then we would meet.  In April 2014, 20 months after the rupture we decided to do a resection to remove the tumor.  I set sub plans for the summer for my preschool and prepared for surgery.  The resection was on Wednesday, June 11th.  The resection went well and within 5 days I was home.  The day after I came home I logged into my computer to read my charts and saw my pathology report.  The first words I saw were “findings, Fibrolamellar Hepatacellular Carcinoma.”  It was not an adenoma.  I instantly cried and got on the internet and began the investigation process.  The next day I called my surgeon and we had a meeting to develop a plan.  She told me she needed to do a 2nd resection to clear the margins and remove a section of my diaphragm.  I told her to schedule it asap.  So on July 2, 2014, exactly 21 days after the first resection I had a 2nd larger resection.  Again within 5 days I was home.  The 2nd recovery was much harder and even as I write this in October 2014 I am not 100% back to being me.   Hearing/Seeing the word cancer was terrifying.  I am mom of 2 girls…they need their mom…I knew that this was going to be a fight.  I will not go down without trying everything possible. 

What has your course of treatment been?

Currently, I have had the 2 resections and a post resection MRI.  Everything has come back clear.  I am taking a “holistic” approach.  Eating as clean as possible, raw honey and cinnamon, green tea, a few cups of coffee a day, etc.

Emotionally, how have you handled everything?

I am a FIGHTER.  I always have been.  I am a feisty, do not mess we with kind of person.  I am also determined to know everything I can about this form of cancer.  I will educate myself and everyone I know.  I am going to take a proactive approach and try to keep it at bay. If I can’t keep it at bay I will fight it every step of the way.

Tell us what have you learned throughout this process?

This is a new journey, but I have learned that there is a great support group through Facebook, Fibrolamellars of the World Unite. I have learned that I am stronger than I thought I could be.  I know that there are no guarantees in life and that you have to enjoy every moment.  I think it is very helpful that my surgeon was willing to fight for me too.  She didn’t lose hope or tell me that it was impossible she was willing to take a risk and do 2 surgeries back to back to give me the greatest chance I had.  

Tania thank you so much for being with us today. I am completely honored to share your story. I pray many, many blessings on you and your family. I look forward to staying in touch with your throughout the rest of your journey so we can continue to celebrate…free, free, free! I like that you're a fighter! I like that you're taking a holistic approach to all this, healthy eating! We must all embark on eating healthier, not just because we want to diet, rather it's the healthier route for our precious bodies.


DIY Tuesday Interview


This weeks DIY Tuesday Interview brings me Lisa Schuler, Brandon's step mom. Lisa live in Kentucky. She brings great insight to what it's been like since she married Brandon's dad. 

We learned last week , Tuesday's are usually my DIY day here on Ashley's Art Closet. So what better way than to carry that tradition out even though we are in the middle of Liver Cancer Awareness month. Mainly to continue bringing awareness to others but also in the hopes to encourage others to step out honoring other cancer related people. Possibly having the courage to interview them. I truly believe the more we connect, the safer we will be having peace knowing we truly aren't alone in this thing called life. Each story shared brings awareness which in return paves a path for others. 

So, I encourage you to interview cancer relate people. Or simple anyone for that matter. 

It's simple 

What you will need:

a willing person
mother/step mom who's child is currently battling cancer
a picture of them 
a picture of their support
pen & paper
a list of in-depth questions
strength 
courage
a computer
a blog
a praying heart
a listening ear
a moment of thanks 

Lisa start by telling us, what was life like before cancer?

This is has been the toughest question for
me. It's hard to remember what my life was like before (CANCER) moved in. When Brandon's Dad and I married, Brandon was 13 years old. His dad had custody of him. I was excited I would have him in my life. He's always been a blessing to me. I had a daughter from my first marriage. I have never thought of him as a (step) child. He has always felt like my child and always will.

How did you find out about Brandon's diagnosis? 

It was 4th of July weekend 2010. Brandon complained about pain in his abdomen that ran thru his back. After 2 trips to urgent care and 1 trip to ER, The ER Dr. finally ordered an X-ray and MRI which showed a large mass in his liver. The Dr. recommended we go to a larger hospital so we loaded up and went. After a roller coaster of a ride, we finally found out it was tumors. They did a biopsy of pancreas Thinking first it was pancreatic cancer. We followed up with an oncologist who ordered a biopsy of the liver. This is when FHC entered our lives.

Lisa share his course of treatment.

All along we have been told surgery isn't an option. He was started on Nexavar. After 5-6 days he had a severe allergic reaction. So he was taken off  of Nexavar. 5FU and interferon was used next with good results, he stayed on that for awhile. Then he was giving Xeloda for some time. Currently, he is taking Tarceva and Avastin infusions. He has had 5 embolizations. He gets CT Scans every 3 months. He recently was hospitalized due to bleeding ulcers.

Emotionally how did your family and yourself handle the diagnosis? 

Another tough question, It's constantly a roller coaster ride. BTW I have never enjoyed roller coasters! It is a full time job keeping up with his medicines and appointments. All the medical bills (when he was first diagnosised he didn't have health insurance) He now has medicare but it only covers 80%. All my vacation and sick time at work for the last 4 years is spent on Dr. visits and hospital stays. There hasn't been a day that (cancer) hasn't been involved since 7-15-2010.

Tell us what you have learned along this journey.

I have learned a lot about myself and about other people. You never know what someone is going thru so be nice to everyone, even if they aren't nice to you. I don't worry so much about the little things, I don't let things at work bother me the way they use to, cause at the end of the day that stuff doesn't matter. I am Brandon's primary caregiver, I get a lot of comments, I have never understood. It seems some people think its odd that I do so much for him, but like I said he has never been a (step) child to me. He is my son. I will do anything and everything I can for him. I get kinda offended when people (thank me)??? Never ever take anything for granted!!

Lisa, Lisa, Lisa.... Thank you, thank you for being you. Thank you for being a true example of a step mom. Thank you for being a true caregiver. All in all I hope those thank you's don't "offend you". Actually, you shouldn't be offend at all you deserve to be honored in the role you play in Brandon's life. Serving others is what we do best, it's what God intended for us to do. 

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, Colossians 3:23

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 (I really have to be reminded of this one, especially fighting that voice… why are you interviewing so many cancer related people)

Lisa, I've know you through the Facebook group, Fibrolamellars of the World Unite, for a few years now but I have to say I've enjoyed getting on more of a personal level getting to know you and Brandon's story. I hope other's feel the connection as well. 

I thank God for putting you in Brandon's life. As well, I thank Him for allowing you and I to cross pathes. Giving Him all the glory

I pray for true healing for this young man.



Brandon Schuler 
You can visit him on caringbridge.com to see more of his story. 
brandonschuler@caringbridge.org

What I heard from another mother


On Monday's here at Ashley's Art Closet, I usually post titles containing a "w" word… what, when and where. 

Example:


Last Monday, I shared "what I heard from a mother" as a starting point sharing stories of other families touched by liver cancer for October Liver Cancer Awareness month.

This Monday, I am hearing from another mother:

"What I heard from another mother"

In this last week of October, I'd like us to finish out honoring a few more families touched by liver cancer. Knowing October is not just about a pink wash out, but a certain amount of green too. Emerald green marks liver cancer awareness. There is actually different types of liver cancer. The stories I am honoring are all families of those touched by a certain type, FHC, Fibrolemellar Hepatcellular Carcinoma, a rare form of liver cancer found in teens and young adults. This is the same type of cancer I battled almost 15 years ago. 

Today, Rachel Moore from Arkansas is with us. Her daughter Moriah was diagnosed with liver cancer October of 2011. I welcome you Mrs. Moore to carry us on this journey you and your family have been on the pass few years. 

Mrs. Moore let's start with how you found out Moriah had liver cancer. How was she treated?

Moriah attended a Back to School function at a church youth group. She was feeding her sister ice cream by hand as she participated in a race. She came home with frost bite on her hand. I took her to the doctor. Which gave her a full exam because I gave the symptoms of her abdominal pain attacks she had already been having. When the exam on her abdomen was done the doctor felt what was thought to be blockage. I know it was the Lord that led her to send Moriah for CT scan instead of just prescribing laxatives. That is when they found the tumor. In the meantime, we went to Arkansas Children's Hospital burn center for the frost bite in August for treatment. The results of the scan was a mass on Moriah's liver. We went back to Children's Hospital again for a biopsy with video assisted MRI footage which showed a 7cm mass in her liver and gall bladder. The radiologist actually came to the room just to look at her. I will never forget Moriah was asleep in the bed. He asked if he could look at her. I will never forget the look on his face. He said nothing because the emotion of his facial expression said it all. The Surgeon called me the following Monday and told me that she had Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma. 

The wind was knocked out of me and just as quickly the Lord whispered to me "My name is greater than the name of that cancer". 

We were sent back to Children's Hospital for an MRA and more ct scans, blood work, and MRIS of all kinds. Surgery was scheduled for the gall bladder removal and a liver resection. (View further down to read how the day of surgery went. It's located in the section of Moriah's one year post surgery story)

Recovery was 9 days in hospital due to allergic reactions to pain meds. We found out that the epidural that was giving her meds right after surgery was only working half of her body. We didn't find this out until the next day. Then she had a reaction to HydroMorphine. I have never seen such courage in anyone other than my daughter. Three months after her surgery she got really sick and actually missed more school from having strep, mono, and pnuemonia all at the same time than she did with her liver surgery. She was hospitalized for 9 days and had to be schooled at home after that for 2 weeks. Doctors believe her immune system was just trashed after her liver surgery. So when she went back to school she caught all those winter bugs going round. Her system couldn't fight it. She is now 3 years cancer free and back to her old silly dancing self. 

Before the cancer she was in cheer in the middle school and waiting to be able to try out for the school squad which she was not able to do since she was in the hospital with strep etc when tryouts were given. Her stomach muscles needed two years of stretching and core building before trying our for the school dance team and making it. One more thing I remember, I believe is most relevantly amazing is when her father and I shared her scans revealed she had cancer she said, "No, I don't have cancer my liver does." From that moment on that became our Motto. On the day she had her surgery the first thing I said to her in recovery is, "your liver doesn't have cancer anymore".

This is a note Mrs. Moore wrote summing up her reaction to hearing FHC, Fibrolemellar Hepatcellular Carcinoma. As well, how she is managing now.

Today while sitting in church listening to my Pastor talk about who our Source is, BTW His name is (JESUS), I believe the Lord revealed something to me that might benefit you too.
Two years ago when we were given Moriah's diagnosis and the Dr. said, "Fibrolemellar Hepatcellular Carcinoma" the wind was knocked out of me on the other side of the phone line. For a brief minute I really thought I might vomit. Then the Holy Spirit whispered these words to me, "My name is greater than the name of that cancer". And immediately the strength came back to my heart and lungs and stomach. During the weeks that followed that phone call I remember searching every inch of the internet and its information on this unknown disease. Vary rare is not an over statement. At the time, research had just begun on this horrible disease, however it was not published. The only info was on doctors journal websites or over seas research groups. What I did find while trying to fill my brain with the knowledge of what this illness was and what it was going to put my daughter through, was that it did not bring me any comfort, only fear!!! It is hard to stand in Faith against something when FEAR is rattling your sure foundation. I told Earl, my husband, one night after hours of research that I just couldn't do it anymore that all this knowing was crippling me. 

And the Lord reminded me that He is as close as His name, and that He inhabits the praises of His people. So from that moment on I only used my computer to worship or listen to worship songs or to download worship songs and when I did that the atmosphere of my mind and heart was transformed from fear to FAITH! 

Was I still scared? 

Yes. 

But, you can be scared and not afraid. You can be concerned but not worry. Just like you can be angry and not sin.

Just as Pastor Carl said today, you need to be tapped into the right source or the wrong fruit is what you will bear.

I remember standing in front of the church the day they prayed over Moriah before her surgery and telling everyone that there may come a day that I would cry about this cancer , but it would not be today. I remember saying there will be other battles that will shake my foundation, other days of stress and other trails of life. But that this trial was going to be a memorial moment in our lives that the Lord was going to show us How strong He is and He would receive the glory from it. 

Let me tell you, as hard as this cancer journey has been there have been days since that have seemed harder in my family life to deal with than the cancer. 

I believe it is because of desperation I was totally tapped into my Source of Strength, My Source of Hope, My Source of Peace and many times since, I haven't been totally tapped into that Source.

I said all this today to say every day is a day to take a drink of water from the fountain of life, and everyday is a day to put your Faith and Trust in Him who is able to do the impossible. 

Everyday, every moment is the time to be connected to that source so that when the storms of life blow, you will be scared and not afraid, angry and not sin , and concerned but not worried. 

You will be living an Abundant Life. 

This wednesday we go to have Moriah's 2 year check up. Am I concerned, yes! Am I scared, yes. Is my Faith shaken, NO. 

My anchor holds within the veil. 

Christ Alone my Cornerstone.


Moriah's grandmother's reaction to hearing Moriah had cancer.

Every Sunday after church, there is always that little excitement that touches my soul and reminds me that God is who He says He is. I have heard from the preacher and praise reports from others in the crowd about the many promises the Lord has granted. It is easy to believe the words of God when the request has been granted..a job found, a financial windfall or  a healing  that has been long awaited. What is hard is when I am on the waiting end of the promise to be fulfilled.

When I am awaiting the tests and a bad report comes, am I still excited? It is during this time.. that space where my knees are quacking and I am struggling to believe those same promises..  that my armor starts to rattle. Just such an instance is occurring now. My 12 year old granddaughter, Moriah, has just been found to have a tumor on her liver. That is not supposed to happen to anyone in my life. Not anyone close to me. It only happens to those other people around me..right? It is supposed to happen to others that I pray for... Those to whom I can give a good word. Not someone near and dear to me. Yet it has.

This morning, I found myself crying out to God for His promises to come true in this situation. I asked that in addition to His promises for healing, that His promises for strength be added to Moriah's parents,  Rachel and Earl, as they have been forced to lay their daughter on the alter of faith. Knowing them, they would much rather have been laying there themselves. But that is not their part of the journey. Like Abraham was asked to trust in his God and lay down his son Issac, they have to stand on the promises of their God for their child. While Abraham and his son were fighting the fight of faith on the mountain, his friends were waiting down below for their return.

Everyone must walk their own journey...but no one walks it alone. Each of us has a part to play. Perhaps we are the one who encourages the parents to take another step or reminds them that they are not alone. Some maybe anointed to bring a casserole to those left at the house. Another may have the financial means to help with the extra expenses required during hospital visits and lost days of work.

Standing on the promises is an opportunity for the whole of Gods church to come together and support each other.  Each of us will have our turn fighting the fight of faith in the midst of the battle...no one escapes this forever. But it is my prayer, that each part of the body of Christ,  will search their heart and stand collectively on the promises of God to sustain each other.

Be blessed today and remember..He is the same yesterday, today and forever..


Mrs. Moore's story she wrote on the one year anniversary of Moriah's surgery.

So many of you know that Moriah had surgery to remove a cancer mass that was in her gall bladder and liver last Oct. 19th. What you may not know is that a miracle happened that day and it was because the faith of those here in the states was mixed with the faith of a tiny tribe of Massi in Uganda as well as the Faith of a little child named Moriah. 

When the surgeon called us to say that the tumor in Moriah's body was cancer and its name was Fibrolemellar Heptacellular Carcinoma, a chemo resistant cancer that is very rare and very deadly. The wind was almost knocked out of me for about a sec. So sweetly the Lord spoke into my ear and said, "My Name is Greater than the Name of this cancer." Life was breathed back into my lungs at that very moment. 

When Earl and I shared this news with Moriah her first response was, "I don't have cancer my liver does." I believe at that moment the tumor in her body began to decrease. Her faith, the faith of a child, was working in her to heal her.

The surgeon also said that day that her tumor was in a very bad location and wrapped around her vena cava and portal veins as well as many other veins and arteries in her liver and in her gall bladder. Removing the gall bladder is no problem he said. However, removing the tumor from her liver was going to be a different story. 

We began as a family to pray immediately and passed the word to our family, and church family, and this community as well as communities all across the nation literally. Our friends and family passed it on to their churches and friends. 

Our church had a mission trip leaving for Uganda the week of Moriah's surgery. They were going to visit our newly opened orphanage in Uganda and would be visiting other neighboring tribes and places in the area. I asked the leader of our group to carry a picture of Moriah with them and to have the children at the orphanage to pray for her. 

This next part of the story gives me chills every time I think about it. 

The night before the surgery I could not sleep. I stayed up throughout the night worshipping the Lord and Praising Him for the healing I believed He would do for my daughter through this surgery. One of the songs was You are my Hallelujah by Rita Springer. I couldn't stop praising. 

Moriah woke up two times between 1 and 3 to vomit profusely.  

We had to be at the Hospital at 5am. 

She vomited all the way to Children's. 

Earl and I both believed that she was being healed. 

Earl even mentioned I really think the Lord is shrinking that tumor. 

When we got to the Hospital we were greeted by the surgical staff who would be operating and by the anesthesiologist  who would be giving her the pain meds and putting her under for the surgery. This team shared with us minutes before they take our daughter back to the OR that they had been looking at her films all weekend and believed that the tumor was worse than originally thought. 

Moriah would be coming out of the surgery with a port for them to do chemo because they did not believe they would be able to remove it all. They also said she would loose at least two lobes of her liver and all her gall bladder and that their was 4 pints of blood waiting in the OR for the transfusions they would need to do. They also said that the 4 hour procedure may take as long as 6/7 due to the veins and arteries it was wrapped around.

You can imagine how this news hit us not to mention our 12 year old that lay on the bed beside us. 

We just looked at them and said The Great Physician will be in there with you to her and to the staff.

Then they wheeled her away.

I can't describe the peace that I had during the 3 1/2 hours it took. The anesthesiologist herself came out at the 2 1/2 hour mark to tell us the surgery was going WAY better than the films showed and that they had not had to give her one single drop of blood. 

When they buzzed us at 3 1/2 hours to tell us the surgery was over we were amazed.

When the surgeon came to meet with us to tell us that everything had went sooooooo well and that none of the veins or arteries were involved like they thought. She only had a small pizza size wedge of her liver removed because when they saw the tumor it wasn't in the place it was shown to be on the films. It was right on top of her liver and not as big as originally thought to be. 

We Praised the Lord and knew what we had prayed for had taken place. 

What you may not understand is just how many films they had to look at. They had Ultrasound, Ct scans with and without contrast, a total of 4 hours of video assisted MRI's and an MRA. Believe me when I say before the surgery the Doctors knew what they thought they were going to find. The hospital surgeon had even requested a special surgeon from UAMS who was a liver surgeon only who had been doing this for 40 years. 

When we asked the drs a few days later why they thought the tumor was not as originally suspected and the attending surgeon said well you know those films are just shadows and you really don't know what you are going to find until you get inside. We said well we believe the Lord took care of where it was located and made your job easier. 

Here is the amazing part!

Remember the tribe of Massi well unbeknownced to us they had been praying with me in the middle of the night before the surgery. As a matter of fact the next day the Tribe leader woke up our mission leader at 3am and said, "How is sister Moriah, Have you had any news? We have been fasting and praying all night and all day for her healing!!!" WOW  Remember I said that I was unable to sleep for doing nothing but praying and praising well across the other side of the world so were people/ children even that didn't even know her. Just had her picture at the very moments she is vomiting and the Lord I believe was at work in her to move and shrink that tumor.

We have told Moriah that her scar from the surgery is not a scar but Yahweh's tattoo reminding her that it was He who healed her because of her faith. The tattoo is in the shape of a Y.

I give GOD all the Glory and Praise Him that Moriah's liver has been free from cancer for 1 year this Oct 19th.

 Moriah's Picture that went to Uganda.

Yahweh's tattoo.

Moriah has a twin? 

Her and her sister Ashlee were born on 6-2-99 Moriah was the oldest born first weighing 6 lbs 8 oz. Ashlee was born 26 minutes later weighing only 5 lbs 13 oz. 6 days later Ashlee was in the hospital, the same hospital Moriah had her surgery in, she contracted a virus in the womb causing viral meningitis. Ashlee also contracted tularemia a very rare tick born illness which caused her to be hospitalized for 9 days. She went home on IV antibiotics for 1 month giving to her 3 times a day. She then contracted another tick disease Lyme when she was 3 years old being hospitalized again. During all this time Moriah was only sick due to ear infections. Once she got her tonsils removed when she was 3 years old. She was never sick with even a cold until she was diagnosed with Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Rare things have happened and tried to attack my children but nothing prepares you for your 12 year old being diagnosed with cancer. Nothing. However God has been so good and so faithful through it all. 

(Moriah and her twin sister)


(The Moore family Celebrating Moriah's 2nd year cancer free at their first coffee social. They are actually having their second coffee social today 5:00-7:00 at Arrow's Cafe & BBQ)

This year before school started Moriah cut her hair donating it to Locks of Love in honor of her 3rd year cancer free. (see pictures below)




The Moore Family: Earl, Moriah's dad, Nancianne oldest sister with her first child, Olive (first grandchild of the family), Rachel, Moriah's mom,  sister's Natalie 18, Madelynn 16, and Moriah with the hat on 15, and her twin Ashlee 15. Photographed at their family Restaurant in Heber Springs, Arkansas, Arrow's Cafe & BBQ. 

Wow! Amen….

I say Amen to it all, what a marvelous story of His healing. Thank you Mrs. Moore for opening your heart and home to share Moriah's story. She is a true miracle. I can't wait to see how God uses her for the rest of her life. She has already touched countless others lives. Hearing her story has been so encouraging. It reminds me a lot of mine and makes me have that punching power in my heart and soul of reassurance knowing He is mighty! I thank Him for His perfect timing putting your family in my path. Hugs to all of you!

May others be aware, find hope and courage from hearing Moriah's story. 

If you missed last weeks interviews: 
What I heard from a mother
DIY Tuesday Interview
Wednesday Words
Tracy's Thursday

Thank you for joining us all this far making awareness of liver cancer this October!

Please if you'd like to make a donation to the Fibro Foundation do so by clicking. Look for the blue donate now button in the upper right hand count. Any amount is great, I promise!