U ožujku 2018. godine, desetogodišnja Lizzy Wampler oprostila se sa svojim voljenima nakon teške borbe s osteosarkomom, rijetkim i agresivnim rakom kostiju. Danas, njezina majka Jennifer Wampler dijeli priču o djevojčici čija je svjetlost, i u najtežim trenucima, svijetlila nevjerojatnom snagom.
Lizzy je godinu dana prije smrti počela šepati. Liječnici su predložili amputaciju noge, no roditelji su je odveli u bolnicu St. Jude, gdje su joj uklonili pet centimetara bedrene kosti i ugradili titansku šipku.
“Rak nije posustajao. Lizzy je prolazila kroz nepodnošljive bolove, iznova učila hodati nakon svake operacije. Njezino malo tijelo bilo je iscrpljeno od kemoterapije i zračenja. Ipak, izabrala je voljeti, izabrala je radost”, prisjeća se Jennifer za People.
@lizzyswalkoffaith Lizzy requested to hold a baby before she passed away. I had a friend whose sister who had just had a baby so she helped fulfill Lizzy last request. I had many mothers who followed Lizzy‘s journey reach out to me and said they would love for Lizzy to find their baby up in Heaven and to hold their baby until they could get there. They even sent us pictures of their babies, Lizzy was overwhelmed and said, I hope I find all these babies and really looked at their pictures and tried to memorize their photos. I still believe that she is up in Heaven with these precious babies until their moms can come and see them again. It truly was a wonderful and holy experience walking with Lizzy on this journey. #heaven #babies
Znala je da umire
Neposredno prije planirane proslave “Nema više kemoterapije”, stigao je poziv – rak se proširio. Lizzy su dali samo 20% šanse za preživljavanje. Iako joj nikada nisu izravno rekli da umire, Lizzy je znala.
Jedan od najemotivnijih trenutaka bio je njezin oproštaj s djedom Deeom, koji zbog operacije srca nije mogao putovati. Razgovarali su putem video poziva. Lizzy mu je rekla da će joj nedostajati, a on joj je odgovorio: “Vidjet ćemo se ponovno, u nebu.” Dee joj se pridružio 2021. godine.
U svojim posljednjim danima, Lizzy je izrazila želju da drži bebu. Jennifer joj je ispunila želju – snimka prikazuje Lizzy kako promatra bebu i šapće: “Pogledaj mu noktiće, tako su sitni.”
@lizzyswalkoffaith Today, I am sharing a deeply personal and moving video that was captured during one of the hardest times our family has faced. It’s a video of my beloved daughter Lizzy saying goodbye to her dear pop pop. Just seven years ago, Lizzy was given only two more weeks to live, and we gathered all the family members we could to be by her side. Unfortunately, my father-in-law, having undergone heart surgery, was unable to see her one last time. I recorded this emotional moment intending to share it with him, but the pain was too great for him to watch. Remembering Lizzy’s courage and grace during her struggle with osteosarcoma reminds us of the urgency and importance to find a cure for this dreadful disease. As I share these memories, it is with the hope that raising awareness can make a difference. We long for a future where no child has to endure what she did, and where moments like these are no longer necessary. Thank you for allowing us to share our story, and for joining us in the fight for a cure. #grief #fyp #osteosarcoma #dying
Otišla je bez lijeka, ali s vjerom i ljubavlju
Lizzy je preminula 15. ožujka 2018., mirno i nježno, ostavivši posljednje poljupce na ruku svoje majke.
Njezin posljednji dar bio je donacija tijela St. Jude bolnici – za istraživanja koja bi mogla spasiti drugu djecu.
Danas obitelj Wampler svake godine organizira humanitarni 5K utrku, a Jennifer i njezin suprug John napisali su knjigu Lizzy’s Walk of Faith. “Lizzy je otišla bez lijeka, ali s vjerom, ljubavlju i nadom koja i dalje živi”, rekla je Jennifer.
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