What it means to fight

 

The Grinnell United Methodist church is being schooled in courage, faith, and love, but you’d be surprised at their teacher. Their own 13 year old Confirmation student, Lindsey Stewart, has a story to inspire.

 

In 2006 Lindsey had been experiencing headaches and double vision. After a trip to the emergency room, they diagnosed Lindsey with Medulloblastoma.  The large mass revealed on the CAT scan in the fourth ventricle was blocking the flow of the spinal fluids, causing cranial pressure, and she underwent brain surgery, on October 17, 2006 to remove 99% of the tumor. About one month after surgery, she underwent cranial and spinal radiation every day for six weeks. In January of 2007, she started maintenance chemotherapy which required short hospital stays about every five weeks. Her chemotherapy was finished in December 2007. In January 2009, while undergoing a scheduled MRI, doctors discovered the cancer had spread to a tumor on her lower spine. At that time, the spinal tap and bone marrow tests were negative for cancer cells. Lindsey started a new regimen of chemo until May when her blood counts couldn’t sustain it. During this time, another MRI showed the tumor had been reduced significantly.

 

In July 2009, she underwent five weeks of radiation to the spine. She appeared to be in remission. In September 2009 an MRI of the spine revealed suspicious areas. A spinal tap on October 1, 2009 tested positive for cancer cells. At that time Iowa City referred them to a Chicago doctor about a clinical trial. The day they went to talk with the doctor in Chicago, Lindsey was diagnosed with shingles. Lindsey ended up losing her spot in the first trial but received a place in the Phase II trial. They family goes every other Wednesday to Chicago for treatment, leaving early in the morning and arriving late the same day.

 

Although she has been through a lot, she continues to FIGHT; her spirit is amazing! Her fighting spirit inspires us all, but her giving and loving heart moves us just as much. One of her dreams was to raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network, and in 2009, in the middle of her fight, she was able to help our church in raising $1,800 for this charity. An equal amount was donated to the family for their medical expenses. She is a beacon of courage as she teaches all of us how to fight, but, more than that, she is a beacon of humbled grace as she gives and loves others before herself.

 

It was because of this beautiful, courageous woman that we were inspired to create a music video. It is our hope that this video will inspire and encourage her through the long days of her fight. A small team of Alex Mitchell, Ashley Risting, and Diane Wasson Eberhart gathered to choose the perfect song by Reliant K entitled “Pressing On.” From there, Alex Mitchell gathered support from Chad Geisinger for video recording and got all Sunday school classes involved in recording special dance routines and segments. 

 

We pray this video embodies all the hope, courage and love that Lindsey has shared with us.

 

(Click here to see the final video, edited by Alex—who is one ninth grader with a lot of heart—and approved by Lindsey and her family.)

*Ashley Risting is the Christian Education/Youth Director of Grinnell United Methodist Church