8th-grader with ovarian cancer: How do I help her cope?

School has started and, as always, I have chosen new songs for my mid-school choir to start singing. I try to have a varied genre that includes one or two Broadway musical pieces. This year’s selection is Seasons of Love from Rent.

It starts off with the words “Five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes… five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear….five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes….how do you measure, measure a year?”

I have always loved the melody and sentiment of this song. But this year it has hit me hard. One of my 8th grade choir students has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She is only 13 years old.

Last week, this beautiful young woman had to have her ovary removed. She is now preparing for chemotherapy.

She was in class today with a hopeful and happy attitude even though she knows that she will lose her hair (which for an eighth grade girl is terrible) and suffer the other side effects of the drugs that are about to be pumped into her body.

As a Christian, I know that God did not cause this disease, and I know He will be there to support her and her family through this. They are strong Catholics. So I know they will seek Him.

But how do I, as a Christian and her teacher, help make the next five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes worth living?

I thought of the scripture Philippians 1:6: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

God has a plan for this young lady. It is not my job to reshape his plan or modify it in any way. I need to be God’s back-up.

I will teach and encourage her to be the best she can be just like I would with any other student. On the days she is crabby because of the chemo, I will not take it personally or let my “feelings” become hurt.

When she is in my presence, I will act as if everything is normal – and make it normal – to add stability to her life. I will write her name in my prayer journal daily and pray fervently for her healing. I will support her spiritually even if she doesn’t know I am doing it.

Prayer is one of the best tools God gave us, and I will use it. James 5:16 says: “The prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can achieve.”

As a Christian, I am expected to pray. The Bible tells me to pray with energy and desperation for the sick. I plan to keep this young woman in the back of my mind at all times and send up prayers whenever I can.

I am going to ask for this young women to be healed. I won’t stop at one time. I will petition God to bless her over and over. I have faith that God will listen.

The Bible tells me that God wants only what is best for me, and I will extend that love to others.