Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Come Learn of Jillian’s Journey

This is Jillian. Don't you love the hat?




Today, I invite you to come with me to find out about a little girl in our church. Her name is Jillian. I caught up with her mother, Rheanna, recently and asked questions about her daughter and what was going on in Jillian’s life.

QS: Hello, Rheanna, can you tell us a little about your daughter Jillian?
            Sure, be glad to. She is a trooper.

QS: How old is she?
            She is 10 years old. She will be 11 on May 4, 2015.

QS: What does she like to do?
               She likes to ride her bike! She enjoys crafts and jewelry making. She loves to play on her I-Pad and loves to play the game Minecraft.

QS: What’s her favorite subject in school?
                Jillian really enjoys spelling at school but she says she doesn’t have a “favorite” subject.

QS: She recently underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor, what was her diagnosis?
               On Valentine’s Day this year, Jillian had a five hour surgery to remove an 11 centimeter tumor from her left cerebellum. On February 24th we found out the doctors diagnosed her with Glioblastoma Multiforme, also known as “GBM”.

QS: What can you tell us about this cancer?
This specific cancer is very rare in kids. In fact, she is one of only 3% of children to be diagnosed with this type of cancer. Her GBM tumor was a grade 4 which is the highest grade—meaning the most malignant. This type of cancer usually affects adults over the age of 50. It is also more common in males vs. females.

QS: How is Jillian doing?
               Our whole family is watching our angel being a very strong fighter, fighting this beast day by day. So far in this journey, Jillian has the upper hand! She remains strong and is handling treatment very well. In fact, her doctors at Riley are very proud on how well she is doing.
One of her uncles spoke of how well Jillian is doing by scores.

QS: Your family has been selling tee-shirts to help your daughter and your family. Could you tell us about them?
            Sure, be glad to. Our family is selling “Jillian’s Journey” tee shirts as a fundraiser.

QS: Why did you choose the beautiful color?
               The color of the shirts comes from Jillian’s favorite color which is blue.

QS: Can you tell us about the design?
            Jillian loves butterflies! So, her Aunt Melissa designed the graphics to include the butterfly along with the cancer ribbon. She also included inspiring words around the butterfly that we use to fight this fight. As Jillian says, “I’m going to kick GBM’s butt.”
This is the shirt Jillian's Aunt designed.



Thank you, Rheanna, for sharing about your Jillian’s Journey through this fight. It was so nice to see her in the role of an acolyte the other Sunday.


If any of you readers want to find out more about Jillian and her journey. Jillian’s Journey is on Facebook at :Jillian's Journey

Readers: Please keep this little girl and her family in your prayers.

14 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing Jillian's journey, she is a trooper.

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    1. Thank you, Mary. This Sunday, our church will have a concert that will be broadcast over a local radio station,as a fund raiser for her.

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  2. Thank you, Cecelia, for sharing this interview. Will pray for Jillian and her family.

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    1. Thank you for your prayers. She comes from a very sweet family. They appreciate all the prayers they can get,

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  3. What a beautiful little girl. My heart is breaking for her and her family...I know what they are going through. May God continue to give them the hope, faith, and love that they need to walk this journey. May He speed a cure for this malignant foe...cancer...and may Jillian continue her valiant fight and have victory. Praying for Jillian, her family, and her doctors. May her doctors be strong and not give up the fight too soon. Praying in Jesus' Name, Amen.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you very much. We truly love this little girl.

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  4. Hi Cecelia! Thank you for alerting me to your post. What a horrible disease cancer is... I'm so grateful that she has such a supportive and loving family to be with her, and cheer her on. I will add her to my prayers, and her family too. Bless you for your friendship with Rheanna, I know she much treasure that.
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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  5. May I also add Jillian and her family to *our* family's prayer time?

    She is obviously a very tough kid and we will pray for her full recovery.

    Thanks for sharing - and while I am not on Facebook very often, if there is any way I can help promote the T-shirts via Twitter, please let me know!!

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    Replies
    1. Mark: Yes, by all means. please pray for Jillian and her family. I will ask them about the tee-shirt request.

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  6. Thanks for shring her journey Cecelia, a trooper indeed. May she experience the healing power of the risen Christ!

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    1. Marja: Thanks for stopping in and for your lovely comment.

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  7. Such a brave little girl! Praying for her full recovery.

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    1. Thank you , Susan, for your thought. They had a fund- raiser at our church last evening. They did a chicken noodle dinner and then had a concert. Also, those who came participated in silent auctions for some very nice items. A lot of businesses are sponsoring this girl's fight, The gentleman who has spearheaded these fund-raisers is on our local fire department. A crew of firemen arrived at the church and presented her with some birthday cards. She turns 11 today, May 4.

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