Tori and her family moved away; away from San Diego to Kokomo, Indiana. She, then had an infectious laugh and vibrant spirit, and I am confident, still does. I had not heard from her for a while, but she discovered I had a Facebook, inviting me to be a friend (I am humbled that many of my students have asked and only 'friend' those who do). It was then I learned of the reason she had been brought to my mind as part of my prayers. Unknown to me, was her struggles she faced. Severe headaches and a host of other symptoms led to the discovery of a mass in her brain. The family, unknown to me, had put out a request for prayer and in angst the only hope was open brain surgery. Doctors removed the mass and the once spry and beautiful young lady seemed removed with it. She was told that hope for a full recovery would not be possible; Tori and her family were left wondering what parts of her would remain.
Slowly, painstakingly slow, Tori refused to relinquish herself to the diagnosis. Seems, though she had lost much, they couldn't remove her spunk. Little by little, she began to walk, feed herself and regain much of what she had lost, even her spunk returning with vigor. It was then I learned of her fight (her 'friending me on Facebook). It was then I realized why my God had brought her to mind occasionally. It was then my vigilant prayers continued for her and a full, miraculous recovery, God providing it in spades.
Having personally scaled the mountain of miraculous recovery myself, I asked God continue to strengthen and provide Tori with all she needed, the courage to face each day, seeing, as I have, the joys of progress to complete healing. Her posts moved from focus on the daily struggle to that of a 'normal' high school student. In some ways, her life joined mine as the celebration of living fully returned. In other ways, I was in awe of the courage God provided her in the face of a giant. She became, one of my heroines; Tori standing as a champion of hope to a world oft loosing sight of hope.
The scenario changed suddenly this year, when despite all progress, all success, all joy, another mass was found. My heart broke. Only 18, why God would you submit her again to yet another challenge?
I watched (via Facebook and blog) as the family worked with doctors for the best approach. I talked with Carrie (my pediatric nurse wife) about it and prayed for wisdom. I sent notes of encouragement her way. I prayed that God would lead her and the family to the right decision. Proton beam therapy was the outcome, their choice, not wanting to chance embracing another giant hurdle of recovery. Tori embarking on yet another challenging chapter in her life, rose to the challenge. You can read about it in a blog (<--click on the word blog to go to it) created for her with some of her, her mother's and a friend's thoughts. Friends rallied about them. Her boyfriend stood with the family and together all of us waited, watched and entreated the LORD as she endured yet another challenge.
Through it all, Tori did as I expected. I'm sure, just like Job in the Bible, she had her seemingly insurmountable struggles. I am confident that her spirit appeared broken at times, her wondering if it was all worth it. But I also stand assured that the fighting spunk that is, and always will be, Tori showed up too.
She still has long road ahead. The hope? That the proton beam therapy has shrunk and even killed the tumor, never to breathe life again. My prayers? Will continue, moving forward with requests that our God would do His mighty work in and through the lives of Tori and her family. They inspire me. Their fight, their trust in God, their faith building mine. You see, they were the inspiration of yesterday's blog. I was hoping for permission to provide a picture of one I see as a champion of faith, that humbles my battles. For Tori has taken on and defeated one giant, and our prayers are for this other to be slayed as well. Will you join us in the fight for a beautiful young lady? Will you also hold up her family and friends as they stand, fast and pray for God's continued miracle in her life? I believe in miracles. Both Tori and I stand as examples of such. Both she and I also realize that we don't stand alone, we stand with God. He slays the giant as we walk in faith, participating in the slaying of the giant, with Him.
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