Chasing a miracle

Right after takeoff from Houston’s Hobby International Airport, the airliner banked hard and turned toward home.  My nose was pressed against the window, looking straight down at the ground. I watched as the plane chased its shadow across the city of Houston and the MD Anderson Cancer Center complex.  I thought about Kelly. She was down there somewhere. Her smile. Her one swollen leg. Her tumors. I thought about Kelly. How she had put her life on hold and moved to Texas to seek a miracle — a cure for Stage IV melanoma.

Last Saturday, I had the honor of emceeing the fourth annual AIM at Melanoma 2011 Houston Walk. It’s the baby of Judy Sager — an amazing woman who’s fighting the horrible disease that took the life of her husband Jurgen Sager.  Each melanoma survivor got a special t-shirt. And when I wasn’t talking, I was seeking out the special shirts and the survivors who were wearing them. I was amazed at their stories of bravery. Of pain. Of fear. And of hope.

Kelly’s story really moved me.  Maybe it was her sense of humor (just like mine) or maybe was it her inspiring determination to make a miracle happen (she managed to walk half of the 5K course).  Or maybe it is because she’s my age and is a parent, too.  I felt my scar as I talked to her.  There but for the Grace of God go I.

Later that afternoon, I met the Chairman of the Melanoma Department, Dr. Patrick Whu.   We discussed the research MD Anderson has been conducting.  How they are on the verge of making miracles.  Saturday’s race gave them over $80,000 to help do just that.

I said goodbye to Kelly late Saturday morning and hoped it wouldn’t be for the last time. I prayed that Dr. Whu and his team will find that miracle for Kelly and the thousands of other melanoma warriors need. I want them to live long and full lives.

I thought of Kelly one more time today as my plane pierced a cloud as the shadow and the City of Houston disappeared from sight.