In the midst of troubles and trauma, we ask ourselves, "How can we possibly go on? Have we not had enough to endure? Can we make it stop?"
If not for the love of God and the deeply-caring hearts of you, our community, and the love of the people that make it up, we don't know how we could continue. You kept us going.
All of the calls, letters, gifts, warm words, funds, fundraisers and the love you sent to us - we cannot thank you enough. Our family is so very thankful to be loved by you all.
We just hope you know how much love we have for each and everyone of you.
From 10 years ago, after the tragedy of losing our brother and son, Brandon, we were left emotionally stranded in the cold. But you and our God did not leave our sides. After Kevin's wreck in January, we went back to the same place, very low and spinning out of control. But you still did not leave your side.
When my diagnosis of cancer hit me in May, I questioned God. I needed to be the strong one for my family. I wanted my brothers to be OK, and I wondered how much more my sweet parents could take.
I know now how God never left us, not one time.
We believe in miracles. Only through God can miracles exist.
Now I'd like to share a little about Kevin's condition and updates as well as mine (Kerrie). Kevin is a miracle to be alive. After countless doctors telling us he may never wake up - and that if he did, he would be in a vegetative state - we knew that Kevin's recovery would be more than physical. It would mainly be spiritual. We did not stop praying for a miracle.
And God answered the prayers from my family and many others. Kevin went through a few hospitals. The first one saved his life; the next helped him breath on his own; and the third helped him learn to eat and walk again.
Wow! What a miracle - to go from not waking up for many weeks to learning to walk and recognize familiar faces! Kevin has gone through many challenging extremes of having a serious, traumatic brain injury.
He currently is in Columbia at an independent living faciltiy where he is relearning and adapting to being in a home environment again. His wife gets to pick him up on some weekends to bring him home, and we spend time with Kevin at home when he is able to come.
He's doing well, and we are very proud of hisaccomplishments. He loves his boys so much! What a blessing to have Kevin still in our lives!
Now, an update on me - I have been in the toughest battle of my life since May.
Due to the rarity of my type of cancer - neuroendocrine, small-cell cervical cancer - doctors were not exactly sure how to treat it. There are currently no studies on this type of cancer, and it is very aggressive. So my treatment was aggressive, straight into powerful chemotherapy. I was always in good physical shape, so when I couln't lift my head off the pillow or eat, I knew I was very sick.
I questioned God, but He showed me that He was still by my side, and He was going to pull me through. I couldn't have conq1uered anything without God.
Even when we are at our worst, somehow He brings us back up.
I live my journey one day at a time. None of us know when our time will end. God has His plans, and it is us that he uses to fulfill His plans. All we have to do is believe in Him.
After the chemotherapy did not work very well, doctors tried more chemo along with radiation. This worked better, and the tumor finally started to shrink. Then came more internal radiation treatments after that. The tumore has continued to shrink, through God's miracle. All of your prayers are working, and I'm so glad to share this great news with all of you.
I have surgery coming up, so the doctors can try to get all of the cancer out, so that I can then be cancer-free.
Although they say this cancer has a very likely chance of coming back anywhere, it's OK: A miracle has already happened.
We love you all so much, and again, we want to sed out our biggest and deepest "Thank You" for helping us get through these obstacles with all of your countless thoughts and prayers.
Please continue praying for us.
From our hearts to yours,
THE PHIL CRIBB FAMILY
Kerrie Cribb
Manning
