DIASTEMATOMYELIA

An old friend from high school days, Mike Gennaro, gave the homily at Mass on Ash Wednesday evening. No, he’s not a priest, he’s a deacon. Well, almost a deacon. Mike will be ordained to the diaconate on May 27 and needless to say, I admire his selfless and courageous witness to the gospel message. He spoke about Lent as a time of introspection and prayer and his words prompted me to reflect on the role that prayer has played since I was diagnosed with cancer last June. The results of my CT scan at Branson Hospital this morning will hopefully determine that I’m now into the final chapter of my cancer story.

I have always been a faithful Catholic. Unlike most teens, I didn’t go through that turning away from the faith stage. I always knew God was there for me and since I was indestructible, I didn’t have to lean too heavily on Him.

However, a lot of that changed with the birth of our first child. Laura was born with spinal irregularities that doctors said must be addressed by surgery before her teen years to prevent her spine from future deterioration. However, a few weeks before the intended operation, another problem was discovered. Laura had a condition known as diastematomyelia, a bone spur in her spinal cord. Before any procedure to straighten her spine, the bone spur had to be removed, a very delicate and dangerous process. And so, at the age of eleven, Laura underwent a successful four hour surgery but a few days thereafter we were shattered to learn from an intern that Laura might never walk again. Terry and I were overwhelmed and too numb to pray. However, we were lifted by the prayers and support of friends and family as well as by Laura’s remarkable determination and courage.

The surgeon, Dr. Hendrick, a true Jedi, heard about what this Darth Vader-like intern had told us and patiently explained that taking a bone out of the spinal cord is like removing a small piece of Lego from spears of cooked asparagus. Nerve pathways had been jangled and it would take time to reestablish reliable connections. Of course he was right and in about a month’s time, Laura bravely walked out of the hospital on her own. Her subsequent spinal surgery the following year was a success and we, like so many others, are forever indebted to Sick Kids Hospital for their help. Terry and I certainly became a lot more faithful to our prayer life after Laura’s challenge.

My spiritual life has also been blessed by my teaching career at Brebeuf College. For twelve years of my career, I taught alongside the Jesuit Fathers and for twelve more years, I worked under the auspices of the Presentation Brothers. The Jesuits taught me about seeing God’s hand in every situation, the Brothers about how to lend a hand to others.

Visiting nursing homes, begging for money on the streets of Toronto as part of the BRIDGE project, doing yard work for seniors, collecting food for CAN-AID, and attending school liturgies and retreats were all special graces in my life thanks to Brebeuf.

And now my cancer time has brought Terry and me to our knees again. However, this time we have prayed with a much greater trust and resignation to God’s new plan in our life. The support of family and friends, my community of saints, has been amazing and has made carrying this cross so much easier. My sincerest thanks you to all who have been so faithful and supportive. I will never forget your kindness.