Marissa's Journey
I met Marissa a few years ago at a group for college aged kids through our church, Ada Bible Chuch. The group is called Union. I have been following her online ever since and reached out to her recently for a chance at 'therapeutic photography'. I challenged her to write out her testimony and struggles with what she has been going through, and to allow me to photograph bits of that journey. Through prayer and a little bit of time, she agreed! Here are some photos of her first photo session with me and also, her testimony.
Thank you Marissa, for trusting me and for sharing your story.
At the age of 14 I thought my world had turned upside down with the diagnosis of AML Leukemia. I was a freshman at South Christian High School at the time, enjoying life, making new friends, and being a teenager. Battling this Leukemia led to long hospital stays and difficult chemo treatments. Unfortunately, as I was about to begin my fifth and final round of treatment, I relapsed, my cancer had come back.
The next step in the process would be to undergo a bone marrow transplant. The bone marrow transplant took place on May 16, 2003 through an unrelated bone marrow donor. Many side effects from the transplant followed as my body and new graft learned to work together as a team. Through this time, my kidneys began failing and I was put on kidney dialysis while waiting for a kidney transplant. In the months to follow I was able to connect personally with the unrelated bone marrow donor, a lady from Huntington Beach, CA.
Soon after making our connection, she called my doctors and willingly began the process of selflessly giving me one of her kidneys. She flew to Michigan in August 2005 and blessed me with a second gift of life on August 30. Since then I have had 2 partial hip replacements and 2 full hip replacements. I have been considered cured of the Leukemia, my kidney has been working wonderfully, and my hip replacements have allowed me to get back to doing many of the things I love with no pain. In the last 10 years, my view of life has changed, a new normal has been created, and my worldview formed.
About a year and a half ago I dove into the adventure of filming a documentary of my cancer journey titled, “A Life Rewritten” through “Our Daily Bread: Day of Discovery.” Little did I realize the filming process would continue to mold, shape, and heal me in ways I never would have imagined or thought. Through that process I was reminded of grace, all sufficient, life giving grace that my Lord bestowed upon me and my family through those difficult years.
On Tuesday, March 28, 2016 I received news that made me and my family crumble yet again. In the previous months I underwent several tooth extractions in hopes of elevating some pain on the roof of my mouth. Unfortunately, through a recent biopsy they determined the large spot on the roof of my mouth is an oral carcinoma.
So there I was, waiting, aching, drying tears, and preparing for the next chapter as I let go and trust in the Author and Writer of my story.
“But the Lord said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
A month later, on April 28, I underwent a 15-hour surgery to remove the tumor. This consisted of removing more than half of the roof of my mouth and 37 lymph nodes out of my neck. They also reconstructed my cheek bone and roof of my mouth from bone, skin, and muscle out of my lower leg. I often look back on the two weeks following surgery and thank the Lord for the strength and protection to overcome the obstacle of surgery and the hurdles that followed.
Change happens, and often without our control. However, we do have the ability to choose how we respond to the changes and our attitudes on how we adjust. This is my mindset- Lord, what are you trying to say to me today? How are you desiring to use me, to use this story?
A lot has changed quickly in the last month and a half post-surgery; my voice, my smile, my face, my way of life. Change will continue to happen as I travel down this road. I believe it is my responsibility to respond to the changes in a way that is honoring to the Author of my story. For He has a plan for me, a plan to give me hope and a future, whatever that may look like, no matter what I look like. Because, I know that He has me, He loves me, and He is using this for His glory- and not mine.
* Please Keep Marissa in your prayers!
Here is a link to her documentary:
https://vimeo.com/151063038