[Nfbk] Quest for Courage... "Hope's Landing"

Wed Jun 3 21:44:10 UTC 2015

John thank you for sharing Pamela's story. It was so moving and I feel privileged to read it. 
God bless. 

-Melanie 

Sent from my iPhone 

> On Jun 3, 2015, at 3:11 PM, John Glisson via Nfbk <nfbk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
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> Do Angels Fly Too Close to the Ground?
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> By Pamela Roark-Glisson
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> Melynda was five years and nine months old.  After several days of symptoms and many hours this dark December, day, waiting for test results, and praying.  Finally, the news came.  I refused to accept that she had another brain tumor.  “Just days” the doctor answered when asked the question “how long will she live?”  This news came just after Thanksgiving and before Christmas.  Melynda Hope, my little five year old beautiful angel daughter just has a few days to live! 
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> From birth, she was unable to keep her formula down and after many trials and tests my Angel Girl was diagnosed with a brain tumor at seventeen months old; she came into my life with a broken wing; was this angel flying too close to the ground? We spent weeks in the hospital in Oregon and California; doctors continually predicting that she would not sit up, crawl, walk or live. She lost all of her hair due to radiation therapy; my Angel Girl endured so many medical procedures; she was so skinny because she couldn’t keep much food down; and then she was so huge from other treatments. Through all of this, Melynda remained full of love, tolerance, and so much joy. 
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> Just before her third birthday and after a ten day fast, she began to keep her food down, gain normal weight, she did stand and walk!  God removed the inoperable brain tumor!  Doctors wrote “there is no residual tumor; all ventricals in the brain are in alignment and this was not done by any medical treatment or procedure, but was done by a Higher Power”. 
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> All the glory goes to God!!  My Angel Girl’s wing was mended!   She was healthy, gained up to normal weight, defied all predictions of the doctors, played with her older brothers, was so loving, kind and unselfish.  Melynda Hope loved Jesus, she loved to sing and listen to Bible stories and prayed for everyone while kneeling at her little red rocking chair.
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> Nearly three years later in early Summer, we moved back to our home in Kentucky to be near family.  Then, one dreadful dark day in late September, the kindergarten teacher called to say that my Angel Girl was sick, and she couldn’t stand or walk.  “You must come to her immediately”, the teacher said with grave concern.
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> With panic gripping my heart and a prayer that she would be well, I hurried to the school and my heart broke when I got to her.  She seemed to be so weak and we hurriedly took her to the doctor’s office, who looked at her medical records and immediately referred us to take her to Lexington, which was about two hours away. 
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> While making arrangements for someone to take care of her brothers and quicly throwing some things in a bag, since I didn’t know how long that we would be away, I felt the love and peace of God and I was aware  of the strength that He was giving me to manage all of the details.  I was confident in God’s plan and that the same God who had removed the tumor when she was around three years old could certainly take care of this now.  Upon our arrival at the hospital, she was admitted and the doctors and technicians began to conduct assessments and tests.
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> Early the next morning, the doctor came into her room to share the results of the tests.  “I’m afraid it’s not good”, he said.  “In reviewing her previous medical records, I see that his tumor is in a different location and I recommend emergency surgery”, he went on gravely.  I could not believe what he was saying; there must be a mistake; God already removed the tumor!  I could not process the words.  When he walked to the door to go, he said “I will be back later this afternoon to discuss the schedule of surgery”.  As the door closed behind the doctor, through tears and prayers, I rocked my little girl and pleaded for help, strength  and guidance.  Soon I realized that I must put aside my emotion and seek counsel to make the best decision possible for my baby girl that she could have quality of life.  I spent the day in prayer, requesting prayer and sharing the news with family and friends.  Everyone agreed that I must consent to the surgery and follow the doctor’s recommendation.  So, early the following morning, they came to take her to surgery.  As I prayed with her, she patted me on the back, as if to say, it’s going to be all right.  After surgery, the doctor came out excited and reported, “we got it all!”  “You can see her shortly”.  I was so relieved and grateful that the life threatening tumor was removed.
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> Now, just a few days after Thanksgiving, my baby girl and I are once again in the doctor’s office waiting for tests results.  On Thanksgiving day, she didn’t eat much; didn’t play with the other kids and her right leg and arm were abnormally cold.  When I called the doctor’s office, I was told to bring her in immediately. 
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> After many hours of testing and anxiously waiting long into the evening for the results, when the doctor came in, he said with intense emotion, “I’m so very sorry, there is another tumor in a different place in her brain and there is nothing that we can do”.  His words fell to the floor.  He said, “she will only have a few days to live, we can keep her in the hospital and give her fluids until… Feeling devastated with his words, I asked, “is there anything that you can do for her”?  “Nothing”, he said.  I responded, “then I will take her home, and she will be with family and friends.” 
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> The following two days were spent in prayer asking for God’s  will for our lives, loving and caring for my Angel Girl.  With God’s compassion and love, He helped me to accept His will.  Tjust before noon on Friday December 9, surrounded by her Grandmother, Aunts, Uncles, other family and friends, with the rustle of angels’ wings, Melynda Hope was taken home.
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> The following morning, her brother said, “It’s ok, Mom, Melynda has her angel wings now.  “
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> https://youtu.be/C3PB1jWO3_E (Press 
> Enter on the t of Http…)
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> Pamela Roark-Glisson
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> Disability Rights Consultant
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> NFB of Lexington, President
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> NFBK 1st Vice President
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> NFBK Legislative Director
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> *** Find this story and more…
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> You will want to share copies with family and friends.
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> Click here to (Press Enter on the EBOOKS)
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> view  eBook Digital version ,cos is 99 cents
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> Click here  to (Press Enter on Print)
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> view Print versin cost is $5.38
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> If you would like to get your story published in similar fashion, contact Dr. Paschal Baute at paschalthestoryteller at gmail.com.
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