Today we heard news we didn’t want but fully expected. Maggie’s cancer is progressing and the pace is accelerating. If we could start the available clinical trial next week, that might be a viable option. We know, however, a quick start wouldn’t happen due to all the necessary screening, insurance approval, and other preliminaries required. We canceled our meeting with the Targeted Therapy group for the time being. We will be returning to Batson for standard chemotherapy. The immediate goal is to arrest tumor progression and preserve and improve liver function which is showing signs of deteriorating. Unless we do that, she wouldn’t qualify for a clinical trial of any kind. We’ll be using chemo Maggie’s disease has not been exposed to since 2016. Dr. Raghav reached out to Dr. Collier to coordinate a smooth but rapid transfer of Maggie’s treatment. We will remain in consultation with our MDA team as treatment progresses and will return to MDA eight weeks from the start of chemo for re-evaulation. This gives us double assurance – two incredible teams taking care of Maggie. We also stopped in for another consult with the pain management team today to increase medication to cover the higher tumor burden.
That is the technical stuff. How are we doing? Only God’s grace is holding us and moving us through another unimaginably difficult day. Yes, we suspected the growth but seeing is believing. The mind has an amazing ability to ‘protect’ us from the truth before the facts are on the table. Seeing the scan images was sobering. And undeniable. We are faced with a mountain like never before. We have some processing to do but our ultimate goal has not changed. We are leaving Maggie in the hands of our Lord for her good and His glory. We continue to pray for healing in accordance with His will – not with the well-intentioned but often “here and now” centric desires of our hearts. After praying desperately and selfishly for my mom to survive a perforated colon (nine years ago), I rejoiced when she lived. Three months after that live-saving operation, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I realized then, I don’t have the wisdom or foresight to know WHAT to pray. Not my will but yours (Luke 22:42) is a good start. And finish.
We’re moving out from our apartment in Houston tomorrow and traveling home. We’re looking forward to a restful but joyous weekend – Maggie will turn 20 on Monday, the 28th. It now appears she’ll start chemo on Tuesday at Batson. I’ll post more details as we get them.
Thank you for your prayers. We felt them today – and needed to feel them. I really don’t know where we would be without prayers and a sense of humor to make our way in the dark. Our appointment today took us through the morning and into the early afternoon. As we discussed getting lunch at the MD Anderson cafeteria, Maggie said she wanted Chick-fil-A nuggets. I agreed that sounded good. I asked, “What is it about Chick-fil-A that makes it such comfort food?” Maggie didn’t miss a beat and answered, “I don’t know, but it is almost like eating the Lord’s supper.” The other day she said she wouldn’t be surprised to find it served in heaven. I asked, “You mean at the marriage feast?” She said, “Well they do cater.” Yes, we really like our Chick-fil-A. But we love our sweet family and friends who walk this journey with us.
So sorry to hear this news! Praying the chemo will put her back in a good place. Praying for sweet Maggie and the doctors and all of you as you seek out treatments and begin this new phase. Love you all!
Oh Melissa, not the news we wanted BUT Our Most Loving and Powerful God has already gone before Maggie making His Way according to His will. It is so evident and inspiring that you all know where our hope is! Thank you for always pointing us to the Savior! Many prayers for you all!!! We love the Hanberry’s!!! ❤️????????
I continue to pray all of you thru this … I know that God walks with us and uses those around us to leave his ‘fingerprint’ (per Randy Sims) . What comfort there is in knowing He knows our every need and will be there always … ❤️ Love to all …
Disappointed to read this update, but firmly know that Maggies’s road to the future is in His hands. What better road planner could we ask for? Please know that prayers are offered here in Birmingham….many and often.
All I know to say is that y’all are in my prayers every single day ????????????????????????
Prayers for Maggie and the family. How courageous you are and a blessing to all of us as you show your strength in the Lord.
Prayers and love ❤️
Sometime we don’t get the answers we are looking for but we know that God is good and we just have to trust him to take care of us and we will continue our daily prayer for sweet Maggie and the rest of the Hanberry family
We are lifting up Maggie, family & doctors in our prayers
Our prayer for Maggie/family… May the love of God enfold you, may the light of God surround you, and may the power of God protect you and give you strength. Amen
Praying for you all as you travel home and this journey. So sorry the news was not better. Batson seems to be a comforting place for you to go and we pray for good results there next week.
Love to all of you…His grace is sufficient. We are sending fervent prayers from Shreveport.
I know this news isn’t easy… … but I continue to pray daily for her and all of you. No doubt chik-fil-a will be in heaven…. and mamaw s chocolate cake will be served as dessert. Love y’all.
Praying for peace and comfort knowing God is in control. Romans 8:28.
Prrayers are being lifted here in Oxford. Love you all and know the Lord is in control. ????❤️
Praying…
Please forgive me for saying this , but at the end of the course,many patients need the family to tell them permission to let go. It sounds awful to say, but let her know it is OK to stop fighting. Hopefully that will be a long time, if ever. Please reassure her when the time is right she and God will when. I sincerely am sorry to bring up this, but as a nurse, I learned how important this is. Continued prayers and hoping for a miraculous healing. Love you all.
Merciful Heavenly Father,
Your beloved needs you now. I know your good but this doesn’t feel good right now. Sometimes I’ve gotta stop, remember that your God and I’m not. So Thy will be done. I know you see me. I know you hear me, Lord. Your plans are for me. Goodness you have in store. So thy will be done. I will trust in you. ????????????????????????????
I know without a doubt that is not the news you were hoping for and I can’t imagine what you’re going through. I appreciate the opportunity to pray for Maggie and your family. Y’all are never far from my thoughts. What you said about your mother surviving the surgery and then being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s hit home with me. Sometimes, in my desperation, I cry out for what I think is best. Your statement was a reminder to me that I know nothing about what’s best for me and mine, and the best thing I can do is follow your lead, “Not my will but yours.” Praying.
Continued Prayers!
Keep the faith, sending a huge hug and prayers to our Lord and Savior.
We love you. We stand with you in your prayers!
I am praying that God’s mercy and miraculous healing are His will for Maggie. I continue to pray that He will uphold Maggie’s family as they care for Maggie and seek the best treatment. I pray for comfort for Maggie’s pain and pray that the treatment at Batson will answer our prayers.
Praying this minute for an easy move from Houston, Maggie’s big 20 BD, all those who come in contact with you, that they know you are different, and for great family time this weekend.????????
Prayers for the days ahead.
Prayers for you all!
Sorry for this setback but so thankful for the testimonies of each of you Hanberrys! Praying for encouragement and stamina and healing, according to His will.
I am praying. I am so sorry to hear that things have gotten worse. There is so little I can say to comfort you. I know only God can do that. Just keep the faith & pray HIS will be done. Maggie is such a strong Christian. Even though I do not know Maggie personally, I have heard so many good things about her. ????????
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We love you all. More than words can translate.
We are praying continuously. My heart hurts for you all. As you continue this journey know that you all are lifted up daily and believe that Jesus is our great physician.
That sense of humor- love!!! Praying!
Praying❤️
So sorry to hear this news but God is in control in this situation. His will is what we must pray for. When my dad’s health got bad, he would tell me, “I a winner either way. Whether I stay or whether I go.” God called him home – and he is a winner for sure!! Prayers will continue for you guys.
Praying continually
Praying. Don & Greer
We will continue to pray.
No words can match Father your will be done. Praying
Love you guys! Praying for y’all to know God’s love, comfort and wisdom going forward.
I hate so much you and your family are going through this. Please know that ya’ll are in my prayers. Love you brother
So sorry to hear this—so hard I’m sure for you to see the scans and growth —God has got this covered—so thankful for God’s sweet mercy and grace. Lifting you guys up— 20th BD is exciting!!—Evie would love sign HBD to Maggie!!—see Grace’s instagram—please let me know if I can do anything to help—LI’ve you guys!!—????????????
Praying for the Father of Compassion and the God of all Comfort to hold you close!
Happy Birthday Maggie!!! I love you, Molly, your mom and dad! The greatest gift on earth is to be in God’s hands. He’s got you in the palm of His hands, Maggie. You know this and it shines in you for all the world to see. You are continually in my heart and prayers.
We will continue to pray for strength for all of you as you continue on to the next course of treatment. Prayers are being lifted in the weeks ahead.
Praying!
We think and pray for y’all more than you know. Phil is a wonderful man and w can only imagine y’all are the best, as well. We love ya’ll. Van skiver financial
Thank you for allowing us to know what and how to pray for precious Maggie and your sweet family. Your faith is so inspiring and is a great reminder to all of us that God is in control. He loves all of us more than we can imagine. Know that I am praying for all of you and especially for Maggie, for pain relief and comfort and healing. May God bless all of you richly.
Praying for all of you. May He continue to bless you with grace and peace.
Prayers continue for your beautiful family.
Melissa, I have been on a long trip and am just now reading this. I know you are home by now. My prayers are with Maggie and you and your family. I know what it feels like to get devastating news but it IS amazing how God gives us strength to press on. He also gives a peace that passes all understanding. God is always there. I love you so much and will be praying for God’s will to be done. Hangest thou in there!!
Praying, as you said, for God’s will. Also for peace in the storm, rest for the moment, and a joyful celebration of Maggie’s graduation from a teenager to a 20-something. We love you.
Praying for each of you. Much love, and happy birthday Maggie!!
Happy first grown up person birthday, Maggie. Love and prayers for blessings, peace and healing.
We are so sorry to hear this Melissa. The Deans family is praying for sweet Maggie and for y’all. Much love.