Kevin and Justine on their wedding day two years ago.
By Mike McCarville
Our family is filled with gut-wrenching pain today.
Our beloved granddaughter-in-law, Justine Aliff, has been diagnosed (again) with cancer. She underwent an arduous surgery to remove a tumor in her esophageal tract and was just finishing up chemo. Now, cancer has been found around her stomach.
In her own words:
Had my big family meeting with my oncologist today. The news is not good. We are now moving from curative care to palliative care. In other words, I will never be cancer-free. I’ll never have kids, and I’m not allowed to resume my second job this fall. She guessed I have about two years to live. I’ve got all next week to rest, then the following week I start round 3 of chemo. My family is taking this hard, so please pray for them. Please also pray for wisdom for Dr. Theobald. I need her to pick a treatment that fights the cancer but doesn’t wreck my quality of life. Thanks, everyone, for the prayers, encouragement, and love you’ve all shared the last few days. I truly feel loved. In spite of it all, God is good. I know he’ll work something good out of all this mess.
Later, Justine, 25, added this:
I finally got a chance to listen to the recording of our conversation with my oncologist this past week. I was wrong when I posted that I have 2 years to live. My oncologist doesn’t think I’m going to see my 26th birthday. So if anybody wants to hang out, better get on my calendar before Christmas.
So sorry to hear about this. So many of us have family members battling this disease and I will add your family to our prayers.
M – so sorry to hear this; praying for Justine and your entire family.
Mike—I am so terribly sorry to hear this. I’ve lost family members to cancer, and I can relate to the fear and utter helplessness you all are feeling. And while I’m not trying engender a false sense of hope, please allow me to encourage you by saying two things: 1. at your grand daughter’s age, she should not accept an end-stage diagnosis without exploring aggressive, state-of-the-are treatment options. This is not a time to resign oneself to the inevitable. They will at least want to know that they fought a hard fight, whatever the outcome. I pray tha the Lord will guide you all in this area.
2. Let me remind you that miracles STILL happen, that odds still get defied–I personally know people who have beaten them..
Thoughts and prayers…hang in there…keep us posted.
Mike,
At a loss for words.
So sorry…
Mike–I am so sorry to hear this. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
My prayers are for strength and comfort for Justine and the family. I will pray for you daily and ask for blessing for all.
Praying for her and your entire family.