Crossroads Corner: CHRISTmas Miracle

It was Thanksgiving 2003, we were laughing and sledding, and enjoying some nice family time. We finished the holiday by everyone sleeping by the fireside watching Whale Rider. A few days later we were headed to the cities to see my favorite band at the time, Jump 5, with (I believe) tickets I had won on the radio (I had seen them multiple times, and can't remember if this was that time). Before the concert we went out and ate, and before you knew it we were at the venue, and nothing could distract me from the performance on stage. As the concert was ending I found my parents before going upstairs to get autographs. They told me that D.J. wasn't feeling good and we should go, thinking he had food poisoning. Me being a twelve year old I had my rare bratty tween moment and went and got my autographs anyways, because I had pictures from the last meet and greet with them I wanted them to sign. I did feel bad for being a brat and thought my brother would be fine in a day or two.

The following week of school D.J. missed most of the week, and the next week we were on our way to Palm Springs, California to see my cousin Kendall, & Grandma & Grandpa St. John. While there, my cousin and I saw "The Haunted Mansion" and danced outside the theatre. We also danced in the lobby while someone was playing the piano. Another hotel guest gave each of us a golden dollar, we thought that was so cool! Even though I was having a great trip, it wasn't the same with my little brother not feeling well. We had assumed it was the flu, as the flu was really bad that year, but it was lasting too long. On our flight back he really didn't feel well. Driving back to Duluth was bad too.

I remember going to school the following day and at one point being told I would be going home with the Linde's our very good friends. I was excited to be hanging out at my friends house, but at the time I hoped my brother was going to be ok. I remember staying the night at our friends and finally getting to go to the hospital and see my brother. When I was there, we were told that he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor…I didn't fully understand it, but new it was bad and he could die…but I also felt as though it was all a dream. It's like I didn't want to believe this was really happening and what the different outcomes could be. I remember my parents had a decision to make, on where to have the surgery done. Many people from our church came and prayed for my brother and talked with my parents. After a lot of praying and discussing, my parents decided it would be best to go to the Mayo.

The following day my brother and dad got airlifted to the Mayo as my mom and I drove down with Grandma St. John. I remember loading the car with most of our CHRISTmas gifts and some clothes, as we had no idea how long this visit would be. I remember it was dark when we left home, and we saw a beautiful shooting star on the way down. We hoped that was a little way of God telling us everything would be ok. We arrived late at night, and the next morning my parents met with the doctors, and after some tests preceded to tell us, that the doctors from back home had misdiagnosed D.J. and he really had a Giant Brain Aneurism. My families first reaction was that a Giant Brain Aneurism would be worse, because I had a friend from elementary school whose dad had died from an undetected aneurism that had burst. The doctors then told us that an aneurism was actually better than a Malignant Brain Tumor, as it isn't cancerous, and if they can get the aneurism now, it'll be gone and we won't have anything to worry about…if everything goes right and there are no side effects.

While we were down there my dad's parents flew up from visiting other family in Arizona to be with us, and my mom's sister Mary Jean and her family came as well. My aunt Judith took care of all the hotel arrangements so we didn't have to worry about that at all, and we ended up getting a hotel right across from the hospital. I remember before my brother's surgery my cousin Blake, my brother and I were watching Spider-Man in his hospital room, just hanging out. My family was so great, as we were all so scared and constantly praying for my brother, but my family tried to make CHRISTmas as normal as possible as well, as I remember shopping a little bit, spending time at the hotel and more, instead of only being in the hospital.

I remember the days leading up to the surgery I was really nervous and wondering what if the aneurism burst before my brother could have surgery. Before we knew it the morning of the surgery finally came…the date: December 22, 2013, my brother was 10 years old and about to embark on a brain surgery that I would wish on no one, and I didn't know if I'd ever see my brother alive again, if he'd ever be himself again, I didn't know what to expect, but to pray and surround myself with family. I remember that was a really long day, but I also remember playing games with my family to help pass the time.

At one point my mom and dad were back at the hotel room and my mom was going to shower, when she suddenly had the urge to pray, and she quickly went to my dad and they prayed for three specific things: 1. That God would send angels to surround my brother's bed and protect him. 2. That God would guide the surgeons hands. 3. That everything would turn out fine, and D.J. would come away without any permanent effects. They had told no one about that prayer. Later that day, my grandpa asked my parents if they had heard from Aunt Jeannie. They hadn't, so they asked about it. Aunt Jeannie had a vision that same day and in that vision she saw angels surrounding my brother protecting him. She saw God guiding the doctors hands, and she saw that everything would be ok. When my parents found that out, it was a complete God moment and peace came over them. After the surgery I remember hearing the doctors almost had to give up because they couldn't find this one vein or something, but they were able to, and I'm so thankful that they found it and didn't give up.

The surgery went on for about 9.5 hours, and then we had to play the waiting game. Would he be able to move, speak, etc. I remember only my parents saw him that night as he was bandaged heavily and his face was very swollen. I remember our friends, the Broman's, came at one point and brought my brother a basketball. They weren't able to see him yet, but we were thankful that they came and visited, and it's something I will always remember. By CHRISTmas day my brother was out of the ICU and in a pediatric room (I believe). The hotel was gracious to let our family take over the lobby and use their tree as our own. We put all our gift under it, and sang CHRISTmas carols, and opened gifts. We also had gifts for D.J. to open in his room.
While visiting D.J.'s, Santa and an elf came room to room with gifts for the children in the hospital and even gave gifts to their siblings (see pictures below). So far so good with the recovery. D.J. could speak, move, walk and more. He was still weak, but getting stronger each day. We got home in time for New Years Eve. We had our friends the Broman's and Johnson's over to bring in the New Year and it seemed like life was back to normal, yet D.J. was still weak and got to bed at a good time, but a little more of himself came out acting goofy with our friends.

Recovery was going well and then he started getting sick again and we were worried. Well, it turned out to just be an allergic reaction from some medicine he was taking. That second half of the school year he did school at home, and was so excited when he got to visit at the end of the year. Before we knew it he was back playing basketball. He wore a helmet at first because his skull was still recovering. But before you knew it he'd have his one year check-up and he would just get better and better. Soon he was in high school playing basketball and he helped take his team to the state tournament his senior year, and now he just got back from a semester overseas in Europe as a college junior.

Looking back I just want to thank my family for that CHRISTmas time as well. At the time, I just went along with the flow and was happy for whatever we were doing whether we were at the hospital or not. Ten years later, from the bottom of my heart I want to thank my family and friends for making CHRISTmas special for me with everything going on. You (my family) didn't have to go the extra mile as I was perfectly content, but I have seen instances where sibling will be forgotten and such when times like this happen. I will always remember going to Cheaper By the Dozen 2 on CHRISTmas Day with my aunt Mary Jean, and the manager coming in telling guests to move over if there was an empty seat by them so everyone could fit at this sold out show. I will always remember making CHRISTmas cookies in the fun lounge on the pediatric floor and singing songs together. You didn't have to do any of that for me, but I just want to thank you for what you did.

This ThanksGiving D.j. was in Europe and I had come home, and we were at the table, and I realized this is how life could have been. It was just my mom, dad, and me. While having dinner I took some time to reflect on how thankful I am for my brother and his life, because if we had made slightly different decisions the outcome could have been very different and what I experienced this year could have been my 9th experience like this for ThanksGiving. And this coming week could be my 10th CHRISTmas without my little brother. I'm so glad God was with us every step of the way and continues to be with us. I just want to share a few pictures from 10 years ago as well as some pics throughout the las ten years! I will always thank God for His Son on CHRISTmas and also giving the gift of life to another son, and the best brother I could ever ask for. I don't know what my life would be without him, and am so glad I don't know what it would be like without him. I thank God so much for all He can do!