Testimonies: My “Son”shine, Qevonte
In 2004 late one night, I was awakened by my son complaining about his back hurting. I assumed maybe he had slept in a wrong position and just needed to readjust himself, so I sent him back to bed. He woke me up again several times about this pain until he was in tears, so I decided to take him to the emergency room.
After examinations and scans, I was informed that he had a benign tumor the size of a small baseball in his lung. At that time, when I heard the word tumor, I associated it with only one idea I had of cancer. I didn’t even understand the definition of benign at the time. They referred us to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and upon our first visit there, his first major surgery to remove this large mass was scheduled. After surgery, we were informed that they did find malignant cells. He was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, which was considered a childhood cancer, at the age of 8.
Since that point in his journey, he’s experienced multiple recurrences. He’s been treated with chemotherapy, radiation, and retinoic acid. Throughout his childhood, we’ve spent weeks at a time in the hospital, and I have cried countless nights because it was hard to watch my son be in pain and suffer from such a disease. I was holding on to the promise that weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. I had to be strong and believe that God would intervene as I watched him go through something that was so beyond anything that I had ever experienced. I knew that our only hope for him overcoming and conquering this would be by faith in God’s Holy Word.
So, I would confess scriptures over him and protect him from any negative outside noise as much as possible. I credit our many victorious wins to the prayers of faith by the many who believed with me in the uncompromising power of God’s word that he was healed by Jesus stripes.
Recently he relapsed, and at this time he was 21 years of age. I was ready to jump back into battle mode as usual. That is what I was use to. But things were a little different this time because he was no longer “my little boy.” He was grown now (at least according to his age, haha). I scheduled appointments with his childhood doctor at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, helped him move back home (because he was in Mobile, AL for college), and had everything under control (at least I thought). They scheduled Qevonte to undergo rounds of chemo that would have been the strongest he’s ever taken.
Qevonte began expressing to me his strong discontent with going through chemo treatments again after so many failed attempts, but I was limited on answers to advise him on any other approach. I didn’t know what to do but seek God’s advice on how to move forward with Qe’s desire. After he completed the first round of chemo, he decided that he wanted to seek treatment that was more holistic and natural. This was scary for me at first because I was completely uneducated on this point of view and topic. I even became frustrated with Qe, but I knew it was worth me reading on and researching myself. Maybe Qevonte was onto something that could bring forth more permanent results for his healing.
After I did my own research on viewing food as our medicine along with other holistic ways of treating disease, I became a believer because it all made sense. Plus, it was about the only thing that Qe hadn’t tried as a treatment. I also wanted him to know that I supported his decision and that I had his back. He would also need as much support as possible to obtain this healthy lifestyle change. God also confirmed this to us in so many ways. While we were at the hospital during that round of chemo treatments, a nurse asked if we were aware of treating disease with a holistic approach. She shared a powerful story about a young lady that had Neuroblastoma tumor in her brain, and how doctors had even given up on her. She immediately sought out other ways to treat herself, and she turned to juicing and eating clean. After approximately 6 months, her tumor was completely gone. The nurse even shared this young lady’s meal/juicing plan with us as well. Her testimony gave us so much hope. We came back from that Birmingham visit excited about taking on this new plan to defeat this disease.
After a month or so of juicing and eating healthy, it became a strain financially to afford this new way of life, so we couldn’t be as committed as we initially started out and intended.
Life began to happen… work and various life distractions. Qevonte moved back out on his own, and I found myself trying to coach him from a distance whereas I wanted him under my wing. Son, did you make your follow up doctor appointment? Son, stay focused on your plan. Son, have you made a plan with your doctor yet? He would always answer with his sweet, “yes, ma’am” even though the answer may have really been no, haha! Some of you know as parents of young adults, it can have its own unique challenges. During this time, another challenge arose. He began going down into a depressive state, and now I found myself fighting for him to regain his position of joy. His cheerful demeanor came back and his famous smile was as bright as the sun!
After a few months of him experiencing increasing pain, he decided to receive radiation treatments to hopefully help speed up the healing process. One of his childhood doctors, Dr. Childs, who we absolutely love and trust was his radiation doctor.
He is very strong-willed and is a fighter to his core. In the midst of radiation treatments, pain, and other various challenges, he would still get up and go to work. When he was a child, he became known by hospital staff, family, friends, and all that would ever come in contact with him for his bright personality and BIG smile! I even nicknamed him my sunshine because his smile gave me hope more times than I can count. I believe in my heart that his joyful personality and resilience has always been a gift from God.
What God has already done in our lives, we give God praise glory and honor for. We are still fighting the good fight of faith, and faith without works is dead. Our journey continues because God has been good to us.
Read more of Qevonte’s Story and support his fight against cancer here.
Dear son,
I seek for the proper words to express my love and how you have been a blessing to my life! Truly, your smile and God shining upon your countenance, has given me pure joy and strength beyond what I’m able to express during our faith journey.
Because I was a young mother, I’ve had the privilege of not only raising you but growing up with you in many ways. When my strength became weak, your smile and resilience encouraged me to keep fighting and believing. I know the plans God has for you are all good and nothing reflecting evil, and it’s beyond what we can even imagine. Thank you for being a light and example to your siblings.
We have a lot of joyful moments to enjoy because those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
Continue to look towards God who is your source and He loves you more than anyone in this world. I will always be there for you as the Lord gives me the strength and ability. Love you my sonshine!
Eternal love, Mom
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