My mom was a passionate teacher, principal, amazing wife, mother to us three and grandmother to my baby girl. Here's her miraculous story of true faith, God's healing hand and inner strength.
Throughout this journey, my mom and family members kept journal entries online to keep family, friends and others in the loop on her progress. If you're interested in reading in more detail here is her profile on
Caring Bridge: Lisa Pielstick
My Mom, Lisa Pielstick, fought a long hard battle with bladder cancer. She started having intense lower pelvic pain back in 2011 and had even gone to the doctors quite a few times. Her tests came back normal and they couldn't figure out why she was having such intense pain. It was until many months later (May of 2012) when her kidneys were literally blocked. In the hospital they realized that there was a "nerf football" size mass in her pelvic area blocking her kidneys from working properly.
After many tests, Doctors diagnosed her with stage 4 bladder cancer. This was the beginning of a long journey with cancer. My Mom's faith never wavered, she never blamed God or even asked why. She continued to put her situation in God hands. It didn't matter what obstacle would come her way, she continued to thank God for every day of life. She is a true testament of fully trusting in God, no matter the severity of the situation.
After a major surgery to remove the mass that was blocking her kidneys, we as a family thought that the worst was behind us and she was now on the road to recovery. However, problems with blood clots in her left leg, her port not cooperating, and still some cancerous spots in her pelvic area and new spots in the lungs were now her new battles that she would face.
Again, she took on each one of these without being discouraged or questioning God. She began tougher chemo treatment once it spread to the lungs. Things were not looking good and she even had a close call back in February of 2013. Her white blood cell count was at a consistent 0 and while in the hospital, we found out that she had a blockage in her colon.
Here's where when we saw God's healing hand work in my mom's body. While in the hospital (Feb 2013), surrounded by all her family, she and many other prayer warriors had prayed for a miracle. We all specifically prayed that this new blockage would be cleared. Doctor's were talking about a possible surgery but we all knew the risks were high because of her lacking health and low white blood cell count. Miraculously her blockage in her colon was cleared and she was then able to go home and continue her battle with this disease. Doctor's couldn't explain the reason for this. Again, because of my mom's faith and fervent prayer warriors she was on the road to recovery and praising God every second of the way.
Then right before Easter 2013, her PETscan results came back. She hadn't had any treatment for a while and wasn't sure what the results would show. The cancerous spots in her lungs were gone! God and only God did this. Doctor's again couldn't explain this. My Dad even told me that they wrote down in her medical chart
"MIRACLE"
Finally, she had somewhat of a "break" from treatment. She was gaining weight and getting stronger and stronger. She was determined to have the whole family together (which doesn't happen very often now that we're all over the country) at Disneyland, and her wish came true. That was a very special trip for all of us. She was her old spunky self and I thank God for this special memory.
Throughout this almost 2 year journey, my Mom kept a thankfulness journal. She wrote over 550 entries. Some were emotional and some really funny. She said that sometimes it was the small things that would make her day. I remember reading them and laughing and crying as I finished each one. I loved seeing her personality come through. For example, I found an entry that said she was thankful for the head scarves that her two sisters had bought her. Then she went on to comment "You can have cancer and still look cute!"
Her continuing to see the good even though it was so much easier to focus on the bad, inspired me to also have a thankfulness journal.
After the family trip to Disneyland, she desperately wanted to get back to work even if it was just part time. She loved kids and she missed her interaction with them. She was able to return to work as the Vice Principal/College Counselor. As the holidays came and went, her leg pain continued to worsen. She spent Christmas with family, came out to see us and her grandbaby and even had plans to vacation in Hawaii with my Dad. She was able to do all of those things, even though she was in pain. When they returned to Hawaii her Doctor wanted her to check into the hospital so that they could run tests to find the source of the pain and also manage her pain meds. They figured out that the harden limph nodes on her left hip were pressing on a nerve.
A week later, January 20th, she passed.
Even though I miss her a ton, I give God all the glory. He chose to use my Mom to touch many lives, and she did and continues too. She always gave God the glory, no matter any obstacle that came her way. I am beyond proud to call her my mom.
My mom would say this to you, I challenge you to find the good in a sea of bad. Trusting God in any circumstance. I challenge you to take time each day to grow closer to God and thanking God for the little things and big things in life. God gave my mom 10 extra months with us. He physically healed her so that she could have proof to share with others. She did.
I know that God was pleased with her when she met him in heaven.
Please pass this story on so that others may be encouraged to grow closer in their faith.
