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Tierrah Devine
Professor Dabian Witherspoon
English 101-18
4 September 2014
My Journey
Throughout my short years of living I had some trials and tribulations, Ive struggled
with dealing with my grandmothers sickness and through that I began to loose myself. The
strength of my family made me realize that I have a purpose to protect and be strong for my
family. Heres my story.
It was on August 9, 2011 when I found out my grandmother had tumors on her brain. She
had two options. The first options was to live with the tumors on brain and suffer with severe
headaches. The second option was to have surgery to remove the tumors. We talked about each
option and there was always a catch to each one. If she chose the first option, the tumors would
become severe which would lead to her dying. If she chose the second option, there was a 50/50
chance between her not living, and living but losing her ability to talk or have facial expression
or even walk again.
Devastation was clearly written across my face. The feeling of living without my
grandmother brought tears to my eyes, but I had to be strong for her. I held her hand and told her,
we are going to get through this. The next day I went with her to the doctor to discuss the
options with him. My grandmother told him that she wanted to have the surgery done, so she
didnt have to suffer anymore. I turned to my grandmother and hugged her tight and whispered
in her ear. Everything is going to be okay, God has a plan for you and me. He will not let you
be tempted beyond what you can bear. Her voice was shaky and she responded, okay baby

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girl. The neurosurgeon prepped my grandmother for what to expect during and after surgery. He
also gave her a date of when the surgery would begin: August 27, 2011 at 5p.m.
NO! I screamed, that was the day that I was to begin my sophomore year of high
school. I couldnt bear thinking of her going through surgery while I wasnt there. I was in such
pain at the thought of my grandmother not living, I started to begrudge the rest of my family. I
would come home from work and lock myself in my room and not speak to anyone. I doubted
myself so much I begin to think that God wasnt on my side. I blamed everyone for my
grandmothers illness even myself. Although I stayed strong in front of my grandmother, I was
breaking down inside day by day as the surgery date became closer.
Finally the day of the surgery arrived. Although I couldnt be there, my family supported
my grandmother from the beginning to the end of her surgery. As I sat in class, time moved so
slowly. All I could think of was my grandmother. She always told me that if the Lord decided to
take her its for the good, so dont shed a tear. I wanted to believe her, but being stubborn I
sobbed quietly on my desk. The bell rang and I ran through the hallways knocking people over
and tripping over everything in my path. I got to the car and I blurted out to my mom, Hows
grandma? Is she okay? Did she live?
She answered Yes shes okay but shes in critical condition. It felt as if the world was
coming to an end. We arrived to the hospital and when I got there, I seen my grandmother with
IVs and cord hooked up to her. I held her hand while the doctor checked her vital signs. The
doctor told me that she might not be able to speak, or show facial expressions. I cried and prayed
that whole day but I remember what my grandmother told me and I knew God has the last word.
We waited patiently for the surgeon to speak to us about my grandmothers recovery. He told us

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that its also a possibility she will not be able to walk or use her left arm because she had a stroke
during the surgery.
As months passed, my grandmother was able to speak and laugh. She went to a
rehabilitation center to regain her ability to walk and move her left arm. I also helped with
walking and motivating her. I told her that you cant let this sickness and disability stop you, you
have to have faith. She was able to come home in due time because of speedy recovery. We
spent a lot of time together even though she couldnt move as quickly as she used to, we played
card games. Shes my joy and Im her pride.