Hello Everyone,
We are back from Memphis! Maria, Mom, Dad and little Blake all went while Eddie and Aidan stayed back to hold down the fort. Maria was great. Everyone was so happy to see her. We got the MRI and it shows that the tumor has not grown and that it is stable. That is great news. We would have like to have seen it disappear, but stable is the next best thing. Our next scan is scheduled for the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. And boy do we have a lot to be thankful for, let me see……………..
Anyways, Maria is back in school and just loving her new teacher. She does her homework every night. School is one thing that she truly loves. She gets up every morning so excited to run to the bus stop and jump on the bus.
She keeps asking me how many days until Disney……yep, we are going to go and we are going to make it the best time in our lives. The boys are going to start preschool soon and are very excited as well.
Time is going by too fast…..I wish I could just press a button and make time stop, just for 50 years or so……
Someone asked me the other day if I “made a deal with the devil yet” in regards to Maria….I laughed because I knew it was a joke, but I did respond. “He hasn’t called me yet, but when he does, I would make that deal in a heartbeat”.
This has made me think….I would never sell my soul for anything in the world, but my daughter would be the closest thing. Besides that, there isn’t anything I wouldn't give to save my Maria.
Father Tim said in the video, which when I first saw it, it was the first time I heard it, he said, “who are we to deprive someone from Heaven, when it is ultimately the place we are all trying to get to?” Which I agree, but as I think harder and more selfishly, I think, “I would never want to stop my Maria from going to Heaven, but I really do want to delay her trip. Not because I don’t want her to go there and be with God, but more out of the fear that I may not go there and then I may never see her again. And that is what I fear the most; never seeing my Maria again.
It is times like this that so many people think about their faith and the relevance and question the validity of all of it. This too is unknown and this too is hard. All I keep asking is for everyone’s prayers that our Maria will be with us for a long time and that if God ever does decide to take her I hope that he thinks about taking me with her.
Please continue to pray and know that we love and thank all of you for your continued support.
God Bless,
Ed and Megan
29 comments:
Great news! Our family will continue to keep Maria and yours in our prayers.
Hi, Ed and Megan,
I can't tell you how many times I have checked Maria's website last night and today. I have been on pins and needles waiting to hear some news, and I am glad that it is good news! I saw Maria at lunchtime today (I am so blessed to be her lunchroom supervisor this year), and I gave her a big hug and told her I had missed her the 2 days she was gone. I can verify what you said about her loving school. She is the perfect model of a "school girl". She is every teachers' dream student. And her teacher, Mrs. Kascak, is an angel. She will have a wonderful year with her.
In regards to your comment about you not getting to heaven and never seeing Maria again. . . if you and Megan don't make it to heaven, none of us will!!
All of our love,
Tony, Wendy, Caroline and Allison Pallotta
What wonderful news! One step at a
time and our prayers are being heard and answered! Now it's time for another break for fun! We went to Disney last year at this same time with our family. It is the best time to go!! There is no better place to go and be carefree and just play all day like a kid! May your journey be the best ever and may all the magic and joy of that place renew each of you! Have fun and say Hi! to Mickey for all of us!
The Martinez family of
Avon Lake
Dear Ed and Megan,
I went to the adoration chapel today for the first time in months. I knew that was the closest I could get to Jesus to pray my heart for Maria. And look at what great news we've just received!! I just KNOW that God has CHOSEN you all to be instruments to lead those of us with a weaker faith, closer to Him. There are thousands of souls at stake--thousand of us who are counting on a miracle to help our faith to grow. I know He won't let us down. Maria is an angel to us all!
Keep the faith!
I am so relieved to hear Maria's tumor is stable. Of course, disappearred would have been better but stable is nothing to complain about either. I will continue to pray for Maria daily as will my friends and family. There is not a day that goes by, without someone asking how Maria is doing.
Maria has a wonderful teacher in first grade. Mrs. Kascak is one of my good friends that I eat lunch with daily. She also taught both of my own boys! Maria is going to learn so much this year! She is in very good hands here at school. She always runs to greet me when I am cutting throught the parking lot when her class is at recess. It makes me so happy to see her playing with her friends. Maria also gives the best hugs in the world! The kind that are tight like she never wants to let go!
I continue to have strong faith that good things are in store for Maria. Children have such pure faith. I feel blessed to work with them daily!
Hugs from the kindergarten!
Mrs. Ritzler
Wonderful news!!!! This is all a step in the right direction, prayer is very strong and this just proves it! FAITH is the key word here........ who could ever imagine that 5 little letters could me so much. God Bless.
Ed & Megan-
So happy that you made it back safely and with good news that the tumor is stable. I know we all want it to be gone, but if it never ever grows again, that would be good, too!
As happy as I was at the beginning of the post, I have to say my heart broke at the end. It is not fair you have to think about this! But even so, no matter who gets called to Heaven first, we have a promise that we can be reunited. I know you know what the bible says, so I don't have to preach it... just another reason to keep FAITH! Just know that your family is loved SO much and we will continue to pray, pray, pray!
Love, Betsy
As parents of a 1st grader, we are praying with all the love we have in our hearts for your little one. God will continue to hold your hands and will never let you go!
Sincerely,
The Smith Family
Mike, Marilyn, Connor, Aidan & Sean
My son started at St. Raphael this fall. I had heard of Maria and your family last summer. Her story has touched my life so much. Please know that she is in my prayers daily. Keep the faith. . .miracles DO happen.
Megan,
My name is Karen Carter and I am a friend of Kerry Lawrence, also a member of St. Raphael's. I have a daughter Caroline with relapsed cancer. I have tried to reach you via this site before and it has not worked. I would love to talk with you. We walk the same path and reading your words today is like reading my mind. We pray for Maria every day. You can reach me via Caroline's web site www.carolineacarter.com. I hope we can find each other.
With hope, Karen
Ed and Megan-
Praise God...Maria is a blessing to all. We will continue to pray for her daily. Though I have never met her, I think of her all time. As a mother of three (my daughter very close to Maria's age), my heart goes out to you. May the strength of Christ give you a peace that surpasses all of our understanding.
How hard it must be to walk the line between the reality of this world and think of the beauty of eternity. Just think how Jesus struggled in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew that by dying on the cross, he would save humanity. He knew that in three days he would rise again. Yet he struggled so hard, he sweat blood. How human that was!
God understands and knows your pain. He knows and loves you and Maria. I just picture Gods hands on Maria...on that tumor...just dissvolving it...keeping her healthy and happy. I picture God's angels around her all the time...keeping her safe. It's hard to see how all of this works together in God's big picture...but He is in control and will bring you through this.
Keep the faith, with your belief in our savior-Jesus Christ- you will be heaven one day...there will be no pain, no tears...just peace and happiness.
God bless you all.
Kathy
We are so happy to hear the tumor is stable. We know that miracles come in all forms and this is one of the many miracles that hasve takend place along this difficult journey.
We will continue to pray for Maria and all of you and to trust that God has a plan.
Our love and prayers,
The Pochatek's
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart."--Proverbs 3:5
Hi Megan,
Gary told me that you guys had a great trip to Hilton Head. It sure sounds like it. I wanted to let you know that Michelle, Melanie have you in our prayers daily. I also wanted to let you know that we attended Shabbat services at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA last month. During the service the rabbi reads a list of sick people, and she asks that we keep those on the list in our prayers. She read the name Maria McNamara. I am not sure if you know someone in that congregation or not, but it was really nice hearing her name. I guess there could be another Maria McNamara, but since it is not a common Jewish name, we chose to take it as your (and our!) Maria. Peace to you and your entire family. All our love.
The Pachters (Alan, Michelle, Melanie. Ginger and Annie too!)
Hello Megan and Ed -
My prayers are with your daughter and I pray for her frequently. I have a friend who recently visited the country of Costa Rica and visited the most amazing Catholic Church where people from all over the world come to pray for a miracle at the foot of a statue of the Virgin Mary. She was so inspired by the people visiting and the millions of stories that were told there of great healing that she had forwarded the information on to me to share with you. The site is
www.facesofcostarica.com/catholicism/aug2.htm
Just thought I would pass this along.
Hello, I have heard of your unfortunate situation. I was just wondering if you have heard of Dr. Issam Nemeh? He is also a parishoner of St.Raphael's Dr. Nemeh is a faith healing doctor and I have personally experienced a life threatening healing through him! Please check out his website at www.drnemeh.com When you have a moment please contact me via email barringermeb@comcast.net I would love to help your daughter in anyway that I can!
Take care and God Bless
Mark Barringer
Hello,
I was searching the brain tumor group and found Maria's blog. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My son, Zack was d/x at age 4(10/03)with a jpa, had it resected and came back. He's stable. What came to my attention was that were members to St. raphae's parish in Eldred,pennsylvania(south of olean, ny, on NY Pa border). Keep the faith.
Liz, Tim, Zack, Matt Murphy
lizzy77113@yahoo.com
Hi Megan & Ed,
I want you to know we continue to pray for Little Maria. We are so happy to hear that the news you had on the last MRI was not bad. I personally am in a particular situation that has caused me to doubt God in the past. However, He has shown us through continued faith he will keep his promises. Whatever he has promised for Maria. He knows what he wants for her and your family. I see the struggle you are having Megan and as a mother of 2 and the situation I'm currently in, I completely understand you. I am not faced with an illness in either of my children but I am faced with something else and Just the mere the thought of ever losing a child in any way is in itself so emotionally draining unless a Mother has ever experienced the possibilty of that fear, it can't be understood. I PRAY FOR YOU STRENGTH, I PRAY FOR YOU PEACE, I PRAY FOR YOU FAITH. You have to completely hand this over to God everyday, you need to remind yourself and God that you've given this to him. Please keep your smile. You have a beautiful family and I'm sure you've heard that everyone needs you...Well I'm going to say that EVERYONE NEEDS EACH OTHER. God Bless you all.
We send you love and prayers.
Love, The Scalise Family
We just wanted you to know that we think of your family often and always keep you in our prayers. The website is such a wonderful way to let everyone know how Maria is doing. Take care.
All of our best wishes,
Emil, Lori, Jack and Catherine Hlucky
Megan and Eddie - I pray that you do not give yourself over to Satan for ANY reason. Keep your faith in Christ, keep your focus on Him, and if He decides it is time for Maria to go to see Him, realize that He only takes the good ones! If you give your life completely to Jesus then you WILL see your daughter in Heaven!!! Know that this is a promise from God! However....Maria is being held in so many peoples prayers that you must know that God has His loving arms around her and He is holding her close to Him. AND He is holding your family tight too! NEVER NEVER forget this! Jesus loves you!!!!!! You are blessed with His love!!!
As a mother, my heart aches for you and your family and I just can't imagine going through this with my own children.
With many prayers for your strength and many blessings for your child and your family, In Christ,
Aunt Margaret
we haven't heard anything lately hope things are good.
Dear Megan, Ed and family-
We pray for Maria and your family everyday. We pray for Maria's miracle and strength for your family. Please know you are in our thoughts. We hope you had a wonderful time at Disney. Never give up HOPE! Love, The Van Euwen Family
Hello Ed and Megan -
I am new to veiwing your website, though not unfamiliar with your story. I work with someone who knows you and I write to you this morning to encourage you in Christ.
I was moved by your comment Ed, that you have a fear that you may not see Maria again if the Lord calls her home sooner than you would ever anticipate - that you may not go there.
May I first say, your daughter and family are beautuful. Your video is touching and also beautiful and a blessing. Maria is clearly a central part of your world and she is beautiful indeed! God loves her so very much, just as you do. Please remember also, how much He loves you!
May I now say, you can know. You can know that you will go there. Maria is a light. For you and for many, many others. You and Megan are blessed to be her earthly parents. Her Father in Heaven has a great plan for her.
Father Tim spoke so eloquently of Jesus. I'm certain you noticed the white butterfly that flew upward from the bush behind his head and to the sky over the statue of Jesus just as he talked about looking to Jesus in all things! It was a beautiful visual picture of knowing He is there on His throne and we can look up to Him in every trial and in all things - at all times!
You can know. As you love your daughter Maria, God your Father in Heaven loves you. You can not "see" Him today but He is with you. You can know, that if it is the Lord's will to bring Maria home, that you will see her again. John 3:16 tells us "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Whosoever. If Maria goes home sooner than you would ever have imagined, well, words could not describe your feelings. But - you can KNOW that you will see her again. You will, throughout your entire life - no matter how old you may become, be a blessing to your wife and other children - while ALWAYS being able to look forward to seeing her again. And that knowledge will bring you joy in the times of heartache. Joy!
The Lord has given us our needed answers. Paul has told us in Galatians 3:26 "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." Galatians 4:6 "And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"
When our hearts are not crying this out, it is simply because our hearts have not yet embraced His truth. Perhaps our "heads" have, but our heads are still a long way from our hearts. When once we have fully believed God, His Holy Spirit will come into our hearts. A gift can not be enjoyed unless we receive it by accepting it. A gift given, but "left unopened" is not fulfillng it's intended purpose by the gift giver. The gift giver has a heart for the receiver to accept and reap the benefits of the gift. There are so many of us who don't recognize that we must actively participate in opening the gift. We must accept the gift.
God is the great gift giver. He gave The Gift. We simply need to accept His Gift with our hearts, not our heads. It is from our hearts, says scripture, that the issues of life spring forth.
God's Way for us is Jesus. God's Gift to us is Jesus. Jesus' Holy Spirit will enter our hearts in a moment, when, as His Holy Word tells us, we repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. The word repent shouldn't conjure up a single thought of animosity about any one of us being a bad person. We have ALL been born with the heredity of sin through Adam and we all must repent as we fall short of the glory of God. We need no mediator other than Christ. He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and lives to make intercession for us. God allows all manner of life circumstances to turn our eyes heavenward. He loves us! He wants that none should perish, no not one! When once we finally realize our need to ACCEPT His gift and we do, our lives are changed in an instant and forever. Maria knows this, but as grown ups, we sometimes move so far past innocence we can't easily see the truth of God.
Maria has Daisy, her guardian angel. I don't believe for a moment that Daisy is anything less than real. I know you have a guardian angel too. God loves you SO MUCH.
Our lives are truly about one thing. Though there are many facets of our earthly "walk" - here is the one thing - it is our individual and personal relationship to God through Christ. There is no way to God but through Christ. Jesus told us in John 14:1-6 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know."
Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?'
Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'"
No fancy words, no special people to be near by. Just you and the Lord. A simple cry in prayer, from the heart. "God forgive me, a sinner! I believe that Jesus is my Savior who died and rose on the third day, for me! Please come into my heart!
God loves you so much! He loves Maria so much! His plan is a perfect plan, though we often can not understand. Isaiah the prophet speaking God's Word to His people and thus to us his children tells us in Isaiah 55:8-9
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," sayeth the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts."
He is bringing about good and calling many to faith through Maria. He loves her brilliantly as we from afar can see by her shining light!
Philippians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
What a beautiful quote Megan, that you shared with us all from Mother Teresa - "Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin."
Jesus will meet each of us right where we are! Revelation 22:16-17
"'I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.' And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."
May the Lord richly bless you! Thank you, for the opportunity to tell you here, that I too, among many, am praying for you all!
In Jesus precious, mighty and beautiful name -
A friend -
Dear Mr and Mrs McNamara,
I just wanted to let you know that your family has been in my thoughts and prayers continuously. This summer while working with the kids at Nature Nuts I wanted more than anything to help the kids have an unforgettable time... something that they'll look back on and remember those good ole days of friends, summer sun, and "nature nutty-ness." But it was the kids that moved me more than anything this summer, especially your Maria. I'll never forget the one morning that I told a really lame joke, but nevertheless the kids thought it was hysterical... and Maria's belly laugh could be heard above the entire class. Saying goodbye to Maria, Eddie and Aidan that last class was one of the hardest things I think I've ever had to do, knowing that there was so much uncertainty lying ahead... but I am OVERJOYED to hear that this last MRI showed no further growth of the tumor! Again, please know that you are all in my thoughts.
-Meghan Hendricks :)
(aka Miss Meghan from Nature Nuts)
PS- I hope you have/had a wonderful time @ Disney... The kids had a riot this summer listing all the rides they wanted to go on and the characters they wanted to meet!
I have tried to comment several times before, but obviously I haven't gotten the hang of it yet! But, Maria is in the forefront of my prayers daily. And I asked Anne Smith, (Ed's cousin's wife) how everyone is doing as I haven't seen anything posted lately. I don't want to pry, as I have been in your very shoes myself with my own daughter, but truly out of concern, I hope everything is ok. Just want to share the most influential thing anyone ever said to me when we were in the rough..."God will give you the grace at the moment you need it." I am happy to say, it is tried and true. Prayers for you all.
Megan and Ed,
You and your family have prayer coming from Virginia everyday. We say a special prayer for your family for strength during this time. We also say prayers for a miracle for Maria.
Cathy Thompson
its been a really long time since we've heard anything.
we continue to keep maria on our hearts and in our prayers daily.
hope you had a wonderful time in disney!
This is Jody again, from Illinois. Brock the Rock(medulloblastoma) is my 12 y/o son. We met you and Maria in the Radiation waiting area at St. Jude in June. I have just read your latest very sad entry, and want you to know our prayers continue for precious Maria and for your family. May I just say that I am in AWE of you two, Ed and Megan! You talk about seeing God at work through so many people....well, I am seeing God at work through both of you as well, and admire your unbelievable poise and strength. Thank you for continuing to update during this very difficult time.
Love,
Jody Bugaieski and Family
Prayers for you and your family, coming from us in Idaho. God bless you.
My prayers go out for you little angel and your family. God Bless.
RThomas3780
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