When a child is sick, everything changes. The air feels heavier. Time moves slower. Every small detail matters more than ever. As a grandmother watching my first grandchild, Romello, go through treatment for stage 4 neuroblastoma, I often felt powerless. But during those dark days, I found my strength in faith. It was my prayers, my church family, and the quiet belief that God was still in control that helped me face each moment by Romello’s side.
Prayer Became My Anchor
The day we found out about Romello’s diagnosis, it felt like the ground had been pulled out from under us. I was living in Florida when my daughter called to say something was wrong. Romello couldn’t keep any food down and had lost weight. My heart sank. I told her to take him to the hospital right away. Hours later, I got another call. Doctors found a black mass in his stomach.
I flew back to Virginia the next day. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew I had to be there. When I saw Romello, he looked so thin and fragile. I climbed into the hospital bed with him and just held him. I couldn’t fix anything, but I could pray.
Prayer became my lifeline. Every day, I prayed for healing, for strength, and for peace. I prayed alone, I prayed with my daughter, and I prayed with my church. When the nights were long and Romello was in pain, I whispered prayers over him, asking God to ease his suffering. Prayer didn’t take away the cancer, but it gave me hope. It reminded me that I was not walking this path alone.
Church Family Gave Us Strength
Our church family played a big part in getting us through this time. Pastor Edgar Williams was more than just a minister to us. He became part of our family. He visited Romello at the hospital and at our home. He prayed with us, listened to our fears, and gave us peace when we needed it most.
Romello loved going to church, even when he didn’t feel well. Sometimes he was too tired or in too much pain to attend in person, but when he could, he was there. He became an official member of The Village Church in Virginia Beach and was baptized on April 24, 2016. That day was a special moment in our lives. Watching my grandson make that choice, knowing everything he was going through, made me proud beyond words.
Church members often asked how Romello was doing. They didn’t forget him. They didn’t let us face things alone. People prayed for us from all over Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Brazil, Arizona, and even farther away. That kind of support matters. It lifted us up when we were too tired to stand on our own.
Faith in the Middle of Fear
Being a caregiver to a sick child is one of the hardest things a person can do. I tried to stay strong for Romello, but there were days I broke down. Watching a child you love fight for their life is heartbreaking. There were surgeries, long treatments, setbacks, and pain. Each time Romello went through something new, I turned to God.
I didn’t always understand why things were happening. I asked God many times why Romello had to suffer. I cried in private and begged for healing. But even in my worst moments, I didn’t let go of my faith. I believed that God was still with us, even in our pain. That belief didn’t take away the hurt, but it gave me something solid to hold onto.
Romello had faith too. Even at his young age, he believed in God. He prayed, went to church, and trusted that he was not alone. That faith showed in his strength. Even when his body was weak, his spirit remained strong.
Finding Peace in the Pain
Toward the end of Romello’s journey, we knew his time was short. He had been in and out of remission several times. The cancer returned and spread to his spine. His doctors told us that there was nothing more they could do. Romello chose to spend his last days at my home, surrounded by family and love.
Even then, I kept praying. I asked God to give him peace and to help him rest. On June 20, 2018, with family gathered around, Romello took his final breath. It was the hardest moment of my life, but I also felt a deep sense of peace. I knew he was no longer suffering. I believe with all my heart that God welcomed him into eternal rest.
Faith Carries You Through
Faith does not take away life’s pain, but it gives you strength to keep going. It helped me stay present for Romello. It helped me keep loving and caring when I felt like falling apart. And today, it helps me share his story with others.
If you are caring for a child or walking through a hard season, please know that you are not alone. Keep your faith close. Lean on your church, your family, and your prayers. Even when things feel too heavy, there is hope to hold on to.
Romello’s story is not just one of illness. It is a story of faith, love, and quiet strength. I hope it brings comfort to other families facing something similar.
To read more about Romello’s life and how faith helped us through, get your copy of Romello’s Battle With Neuroblastoma, now available on Amazon. Let his journey inspire strength, love, and hope in your own.