Lifting her fork to her mouth, Debbie told her friend, “I can’t believe my baby is going to have a baby in a couple of months. I need to plan a shower for her.”
Her excitement turned to disbelief once home. Hanging up the phone, her knees buckled and her husband, Lee, caught her. “Did Shannon just say she had leukemia?”
It wasn’t a dream. Her baby had cancer.
Sleep evaded her. Thoughts like, Will my baby live? How about her unborn child – my grandbaby? ran through her mind.
The Journey Begins
Forcing herself to call Shannon for details after her doctor appointment, Debbie dialed her on the cordless phone.
Shannon’s tense voice spoke. “There is no plan. The oncologists here in Joplin, don’t feel they have the expertise to handle my delicate case due to my pregnancy.”
A loud exhale escaped before Shannon squeaked out words between soft sobs. “They’re sending me to K.U. Medical Center in Kansas City tomorrow.”
Although shook up, Debbie knew she needed to be strong for Shannon. This wouldn’t be an easy or short journey.
The first night there, a Bone Marrow Biopsy was administered. Debbie reminded herself as she watched how she wanted to be strong. At the sight of the sharp, thick, crochet-shaped hook instrument aimed for her daughter’s spine, her face went white.
When Shannon screamed, she couldn’t bear it any longer and fled. Guilt rose with every step she took, but she couldn’t outrun Shannon’s screams.
Debbie wished the doctors could have given her daughter pain medication, but they feared it could harm Shannon’s unborn child. She wished she could be stronger and not so afraid herself.
The guilt feelings still couldn’t force Debbie to go back again. A part of her still wanted to run away completely.
After praying, she decided she could hold her daughter’s hand and pray – she could, and would, remain by her daughter’s side, no matter what lie ahead.
The next morning family met with the team of doctors to hear the full diagnosis and to discuss the treatment plan. A full round of chemo would be given with her being pregnant.
God’s Strength Begins
After a few days as much as Shannon needed her mom and her mom needed to be
There, her parents had to head back home to sell real estate, visiting only on weekends.
Focusing that month was quite challenging for Debbie. Somehow, God’s strength brought Debbie through those long days and numerous hurdles.
The First Hurdle
After one month of treatment the decision to induce labor was made, so we travelled to K.U.
Believing we would see our new grandchild soon, we chose to sleep on the hospital floor, not knowing inducement would drag out for five days. A C-section allowed our grandson to enter this world in the end.
In spite of being six weeks early and enduring five chemo treatments with his mom, Kyler arrived healthy. We called him our miracle boy.
God’s Strength Continues
Shortly after Kyler’s miraculous birth, the doctors warned Shannon, “We’re going to give you another round of chemo. If it doesn’t work. I mean, if you’re not in remission by then, there’s nothing else we can do.”
As soon as the doctors had exited, Shannon lifted her beautiful big brown eyes toward her mom’s, and pleaded, “Mommy, I do not want to die!”
Debbie’s shoulders squared. She spoke like a coach who knew they could win the game. “Shannon you are not going to die!”.
Leaving Shannon, the first time to endure chemo was tough, but adding a grandson in the NICU made it heart-wrenching.
Knowing her daughter had more chemo to faced didn’t help either, but she was thankful the trips home were long. This allowed lots of time to pray and put on a Worship CD, letting the tears flow and be real with God.
Shannon’s unresponsiveness to the only treatment option available spurred prayer chains from California to the Carolinas.
Odds stacked against her; God carried her parents through each challenge until prayers worked.
Time for Transplant
The answer arrived.
Shannon was in remission, making her eligible for a bone marrow transplant. A donor was quickly found.
As preparation treatments were to begin, the donor bailed out, sucking the air out of the entire family, and the room.
Regrouping and slightly Discouraged still, prayers were sent out once again, and God’s strength returned.
Within days, another donor was found. This time, they were a 100% match!
Debbie was beginning to realize God hadn’t let them down but wanted what was best for their baby.
Before a bone-marrow transplant at that time could be done, a strict, cumbersome preparation treatment had to be undergone, lasting days.
All, and I mean all, blood cells had to be killed off through heavier and harder chemo and full-body radiation most of the day for several days.
Her parents arrived one evening while Shannon was in radiation.
Sitting in a waiting room outside her room, the double doors opened. A young, tall orderly pushed a frail, bald, and lifeless old woman in a wheelchair through. She was so weak, her chin rested on her chest.
Feeling compassion for the old woman, Debbie lowered her head as they passed by. Lee’s gulp brought her out of her reverie. He whispered, “Honey, that’s Shannon”.
In disbelief, Debbie’s eyes trailed after the figure rolling further away. Standing to follow, she knew in her heart, Lee was right. Tears pooled with each step.
She thought, Get it together. I can’t give up now. I must walk by faith, not by sight. I must be strong for her, then entered her daughter’s room.
God’s strength enabled them to witness a phenomenal bone-marrow transplant performed in Shannon’s room.
It was absolutely amazing to watch the life-giving stem cells entering Shannon’s body. They looked like tiny stars gathered in an I.V. bag. Flowing through tubing for hours mesmerized her parents. Nothing short of a miracle.
Strength Tested
Upon her hospital release, Shannon and Kyler were required to stay 100 days at a special facility ten miles from the bone-marrow transplant clinic.
This meant Debbie had to become a caregiver while juggling business and home from a distance. A different routine, an uncomfortable bed, no husband to lie next to, and missing her other children left Debbie tired and lonely.
She didn’t feel like she was holding it together very well.
During the day, she distracted herself by cooking a special diet for her daughter, taking her to the clinic, and assisting with Kyler. She wrote contracts on her computer while her husband showed properties and handled appointments back home.
When inadequacies, incompetency, and insecurities held her thoughts hostage, Debbie reminded herself She was all the strength her daughter had and was determined to be there for her. She had to draw strength from Jesus to give to Shannon through reading the Bible.
Calling her husband to sort out her thoughts and to receive his encouragement also helped. “Keep moving forward and trust God,” he’d say.
A Setback
This encouragement soon became vital to Debbie’s well-being. Only Ten days out of her one hundred at the special clinic, Shannon contracted pneumonia. Her immune system had been taken to zero and only ten days had passed.
Back to K.U. for a month – the longest month ever!
Returning to the hospital when believing they had finished their race, made it one of the hardest times of all for Debbie. No routine. Sleeping in a hospital recliner chair instead of a bed, and confinement made previous accommodations seem like a 5-star hotel.
Debbie’s heart ached for home, but more so for Shannon. “I hate seeing my daughter so sick without being able to take her pain away. I miss my old Shannon – my healthy one full of life. I want it to be over.” she cried aloud.
It became obvious exhaustion had set in.
When Shannon went in for a simple test. Being gone longer than expected, panic set in. Debbie jerked and her chest tightened as a code blue boomed over the intercom.
Relief immediately washed over her upon her daughter’s return, muscles relaxing as if completing a massage.
While she wasn’t the code blue, they did have difficulty waking her up after the procedure.
I’m not sure who rejoiced the most upon Shannon’s release, but her journey to regain physical strength took a long time.
Shannon, Kyler, and grandparents remain close to each other and the Lord to this day. Kyler is now in high school. His mom finished college, became a social worker, and trains foster care parents all over Kansas. The inner strength she gained from Jesus and her mom has made her bold for Jesus.
Looking back, Debbie sees how she learned to lean on Jesus, not her feelings. When weak, He was strong. Perfection wasn’t required since her Savior was.
Thankful God heard her cries and chose to spare her daughter’s life; she praises Jesus every day for His healing touch and for His strength that carried her through this difficult journey.
Encourage someone today by sharing this post. To receive the same strength Debbie experienced, check out my book, Illogical Faith in a Logical World here.
© 2026, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
There’s nothing worse than a sick child. I’m so glad God carried you through.