It’s been a little while since I’ve written here, and the passing time has been filled with normal life things as we fill the wait time (’til more heart tests) with hope and family.
But dear ones, I just had to share this with you because my own heart is bursting.
This past week, Chase was in the hospital one morning for meetings and tests. After he came back home, he rested for an hour, and got on his feet, written speech in hand, and spoke to his entire school about his story. [his school has an amazing dodgeball event unfolding to raise money for the hospital right now]
Even a few days before he was supposed to do this speech-making, he said he couldn’t find the words. He also said he was too nervous…and that he felt like he didn’t understand his history. At one point, he even told the assistant principal that he simply refused to do it unless his teachers promised him that there would be no homework for the rest of the week (Oh, Chase…).
In truth, I didn’t know how he would do do this. His original tumor was in his language center and he would have to read his written speech, paper in one hand, mic in the other, balancing, all in front of hundreds of eyes and peers. It felt like a moment when all the weakness, brokenness and fears could converge.
But in the actual moment, dear ones, the fear just melted away. He waved off the help that was offered and stood totally alone in the middle of the polished gym floor and read out, loud and proud. His paper in one hand; the mic in the other. And he nailed it.
Don’t be afraid to tell your story, dear ones.
It may be hard to put your history into words, to put yourself before eyes and peers, but it will also be precious in ways you can only imagine.
-MbM-
Epilogue: Chase was given no homework on the day he spoke. His teachers are amazing.
Chase’s Speech [dear ones, he composed this himself!]
Hi, my name is Chase Ewoldt. I have been fighting two cancers for almost 11 years. When I first got sick, I was sent to Lurie Children’s in an ambulance and it became my far away from home. Getting cancer can be really scary, but the doctors work hard to find me the right treatments and help me feel comfortable. Even this week, I was in the hospital and I’m doing okay, but there are lots of kids like me every day who need help. So when it comes to dodgeball and raising money for Lurie Children’s… GAME ON!
Chase, you did a fantastic job at the assembly on Thursday. So proud of you!! Way to go!!!
Thank you for sharing this with us! What an incredible moment for Chase—and for all of you who love him! I know this will give dear Chase a huge dose of encouragement and strength (and you as well!).
Our youngest son had a brain tumor and resulting seizures. He had four brain surgeries (2 to remove some of his brain) and of course lots of testing and medications. His journey was much shorter than Chase’s—I don’t mean to compare them—but it was still a journey. One night as I went to pray with him before bedtime, he commented that he just wanted to be normal. We told him that we understood that but this was all part of his story and that we believed God would use it one day. He is now 24 and finds that people love hearing his story and are amazed. He doesn’t offer it all the time — most often it is one of his friends when they are with someone who hasn’t heard it who encourage him to tell it—but he loves to tell it now. It’s so fun to hear that Chase loves telling his story!
I continue to pray for Chase and for all of your family as you love and care for him.