Recently I learned some devastating news about one of our family friends. Cassidy Clark is a 7 year old girl who was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 3. She was diagnosed only three weeks after her mother, Myndi, died after a long battle with cancer. Cassidy has had three bone marrow transplants, and each time her cancer has returned. This time, it has returned with a vengeance. The doctors have only given her 3 months to live, but said that it could just be a matter of weeks. There is no treatment they can give her since the leukemia is so aggressive this time. Please lift her and her family up in prayer. She has two older sisters, McKenzie and Savannah, and they are taking it quite hard. All three sisters are very close. Her father, Chad, and step-mom Jenn have been through so much over the past few years, and they need God’s loving arms to wrap around them in peace and comfort. Here is the letter they wrote to their friends on facebook:
Dear Praying Friends,
I want to praise God for His goodness to our family. It is so easy to see all of the ways He shows His love to us. We serve a wonderful SAVIOR. We understand that every thing that God allows to happen in our lives is molding us into the people He wants us to be and that NOTHING happens that separates God’s Glory from our good.
It is with those thoughts in mind, I want to inform everyone of the test results we received on Friday. Cassidy’s nurse practitioner, Kim, who we’ve become very close with during our time at St. Jude, called yesterday to tell us that the leukemia is indeed back. Cassidy has completely lost the graft from her third transplant and her original bone marrow has taken over. The team at St Jude met to discuss treatment options and have none to offer. There is nothing that they have not tried and each relapse has resulted in a stronger, more resistant leukemia. We felt we had to ask how much time they were thinking we had left and were shocked at how little time they predict. Kim said it might be three months, but we’re probably talking weeks. Once a leukemia patient converts back to the original marrow, a “snow ball” effect takes place. Cassidy has already passed that point.
As we continue to pray for HEALING, we do understand that, sometimes, that is not GOD’S PLAN. Chad and I have cried our hearts out to God to heal Cassidy, but if HE CHOOSES not to, we have PEACE that He knows what is best for Cassidy and for each of us. Words cannot convey the peace He has already given. I feel as though He has wrapped me in His arms and is constantly whispering in my ear that He is with us. We are resting in Him.
Recently, we’ve had a few conversations with Cassidy regarding HEAVEN. Last night, Chad asked her if the leukemia was back and there was no cure, would she want to take chemotherapy again to make her live a little longer and she said, “Daddy, Pleeeaase let me go to Heaven and don’t make me take the pill.” She is not afraid of death in any way and is even excited to see her Savior face to face. She talks about getting a “nunicorn” in heaven and wants to name him, “NUNA.” She talks about eating as much fruit as she wants from the Tree of Life talked about in the Bible. She talks about seeing her first mommy and hopes that at least one of the babies that Myndi miscarried is a boy because she’s always wanted a brother.
Please do not stop praying for us. We plan to tell the girls shortly after I finish this update. We pray for God’s peace to surround our home as we say these difficult words.
Ever thankful for your continued prayers,
The Clarks
Cassidy and her sisters were going to be my flower girl and junior bridesmaids, but due to this horrible turn of events, they will not be able to make it. My lack of a flower girl will be explained in my wedding program, and we will take a moment during the ceremony to honor this wonderful little girl who has more strength in her little body than I can even imagine.
