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James
Lucia (loo-see-a) was in her early twenties
when she met Joseph, the man who was to become her husband, at a church
sponsored dance.
Lucia and Joseph decided that the
"ideal" family they would like to build together, given God's
grace and blessing, would include exactly three children.
Through eleven years together, God provided
according to their desires and His will. He gave three healthy children
(two boys and a girl in the middle)!
When the children, Thomas, Clare and Robert
were just 7, 4 and 2 years old, Lucia felt a familiar physical feeling
come over her - she believed that she might be pregnant for a fourth time.
She visited the family doctor to confirm the pregnancy she suspected and
undergo a routine exam.
Lucia was indeed pregnant for a fourth
child, but early during this unexpected time the doctor discovered a
problem and he hospitalized her immediately - she had a cancer raging
uncontrolled in her colon!
The doctor and surgeon prescribed an
abortion, and surgery to remove the cancer- as the only and best possible
treatment they could offer.
Lucia was just 35 years old and less than 2
months into her pregnancy. She and her husband already have three small
children -exactly what they had "planned". She had given up a
fashion design career she had begun when she was single to have and care
for the family she bore. Lucia was deeply devoted to her three small
children and husband. They all needed her.
The baby growing inside of her was less
than an inch long. The fetus already looked human. Brain waves were
present in the growing baby. The eyes, ears, nose, toes and fingers were
formed, the heart was beating for its fourth week. Blood flowed. Reflexes
occurred and parts of the skin were already sensitive to touch.
Fingerprints had started to form along with lines on the palms of the
hands.
But, Lucia's life was in mortal danger, she
was just 35 years old, and she had much to do and to live for. The baby's
life was also in mortal danger. He was just 8 weeks old. His mother's womb
had suddenly become a very dangerous place to live, but- he had no
"choice".
Lucia made her decision -not last year,
-not ten years ago, nor even 20 years ago, -but over 40 years ago in the
fall of 1955! At that time there were no magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
machines or computed tomography (CAT) scans available for carefully
calculated precise measurement and diagnosis of the growing cancer. Crude
chemotherapy treatments were available, but, laser or orthoscopic surgery
tools or sophisticated biochemical treatments were not. Cancer was greatly
feared- justifiably so, because there was remarkably little that doctors
could do but possibly isolate the cancer by surgical removal. Slim hopes
usually relied on surgery and getting it all, if possible.
Lucia understood God's perspective in this
situation. The decision for her was clear. Why? Simply put, she knew what
was right. She knew the value of life. Lucia was determined to keep the
child, a gift from God, the author of life, the creator of all things, who
said:
"I call heaven and earth to witness
against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing
and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live,
loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him; for that
means life to you and length of days..." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)
Lucia refused the abortion, but underwent
surgery in October of 1955 at about 8 weeks of pregnancy to remove most of
her colon. As a result, she lived the rest of her life with a colostomy.
". . . for that means life to you and
length of days . . ."
God blessed her family with a complete cure
of the cancer and many more years of life on earth for Lucia. Years enough
that she would witness the birth of all six of her grandchildren. They
would grow old enough to have their own memories of her. He brought her
much comfort and peace as her health failed, gently and mercifully putting
her mind at ease. His providence was truly amazing as time and time again
he sent her just what she needed to move from this life to Him with grace
and mercy. His plans for her complete, the Lord brought her home to
everlasting life in 1995.
James married Bonnie and now they have two
children of their own, gifts from God.
Their family is prolife.
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