Miracle Stories
We invite you to read some inspiring stories of our St. Rose Dominican Hospitals' Miracle Families. We are here for the kids, and your support is what helps us give these children and their families miracles to call their own. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Matthew Johnson
When Matthew was diagnosed with cancer, his family entered a world of medicines and treatments they could not pronounce nor understand. His diagnosis took them a week to remember, "parameningeal rhabdomysocarcome." Matthew was scared and very resistant to even having his blood pressure taken.
This quickly changed, however, thanks to the nursing staff at St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, Siena Campus. The nursing staff were the most caring, compassionate and understanding people and were very instrumental in educating the family about every aspect of Matthew's care. The child life specialist, Mark Mostar, helped Matthew overcome his fears. He even taught him how to make a water gun out of a syringe and together they doused everyone that entered the room. Matthew laughed, smiled and had funny stories to tell his visitors.
Matthew was hospitalized at Siena twenty-eight times during his ten months of treatment. The staff at Siena became more than just nurses, chaplains, or support staff; they became the family's friends. So when the Johnson's oldest son, Runey, needed to be hospitalized for his asthma his family didn't hesitate to take him to Siena. He received excellent care and everyone was delighted to see Matthew cancer free!
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Noel Mata-Lezcano
Noel was granted one wish - anything he wanted. He could have taken a helicopter over the Grand Canyon or met his favorite singer or athlete. Whatever his 15 year old imagination could conjur up, the Children's Miracle Network would do its best to make it happen for the leukemia patient at St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, Siena Campus. But Noel did not want celebrity visits or expensive trips. He wanted a washing machine for his mom, so she wouldn't have to walk two blocks to do laundry anymore.
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When Wal-Mart, a sponsor of Children's Miracle Network heard of Noel's wish for a Wal-Mart shopping spree so he could buy a washer and dryer, officials of Sam's Club, a Wal-Mart subsidiary, decided to donate a washer and dryer and to give Noel a shopping spree as well. The washer and dryer were delivered to the family's home, but as Noel sat in his hospital bed that afternoon in pajama pants and a plaid shirt making a shopping list, he was still thinking selflessly. "I should put a washer on my list," he said. "In case the other one breaks down."
Noel first felt fatigued and weak when his family moved in January, but he thought he was tired from all of the heavy lifting. On his first day back at Basic High School after winter break, he fainted. Doctors originally thought it was a throat infection. When his symptoms did not improve and white splotches appeared all over his body, more tests were done and he was diagnosed with leukemia in early February. He has completed his radiation treatment and the cancer is in remission.
When he was released from the hospital, a limousine ushered Noel and his family to Wal-Mart for a shopping spree and dinner. He flashes a wide smile when he talks about the games and gadgets he bought, but now that his mom has her washer and dryer, his biggest remaining wish is to feel better. "I just want to go home," he said. "I want to get my life back."
