Corrie McDermott: I teach Corrie's daughter, Randi, in my AM class at my school. This is the story of how Randi came to be, and the love and sacrifice it took.
http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/love_5593___article.html/corrie_mcdermott.htmlCorrie McDermott: An inspiring example of faith, love and self-sacrifice
DON HOLLAND EditorMarch 26, 2008 - 5:21PM
HESPERIA — Mothers show their love in countless ways.
In the meals they cook. In the way they soothe skinned knees and hurt feelings.
But Corrie McDermott, a 25-year-old student teacher from Hesperia, showed her love by making the ultimate sacrifice — giving her life so her unborn baby would live.
In 2002, the future looked bright for Corrie and Donnie McDermott. They had a wonderful little daughter, Rachelle. And Corrie, who graduated with honors from Hesperia High School in 1997, was pursing a bachelors degree and enjoying her work with special education kids at Maple Elementary School in Hesperia.
But months into her pregnancy with her second daughter, Corrie was diagnosed with melanoma. The undetected cancer was hidden by the aches and pains of pregnancy and had spread quickly, fed by the rising levels of estrogen in her body. Before long a baseball-sized tumor crushed her spine, putting the young mother in excruciating pain.
Yet an even more painful decision faced her and her family: To begin aggressive cancer treatment and lose the baby or to continue the pregnancy and risk Corrie’s life.
To know Corrie McDermott is to know her answer to that dilemma.
Known for her kind heart, quick smile and love of children, Corrie decided to put her unborn baby’s life before her own.
“Her faith was very strong. She loved the Lord with all her heart. She really did,” said Corrie’s mother, Becky Fonville of Hesperia. “Her courage was just ...,” she said, overcome with emotion. “I would go see her and she was in so much pain. But she didn’t show the pain. She was always, ‘Hi Mom! Here I am’ with a smile on her face.”
The first step was an eight-hour operation to remove the tumor on her spine and replace the damaged vertebrae with bone from her rib. The first inclination was to deliver the baby as soon as possible and begin cancer treatment. But in the end, Corrie wanted to hold out as long as possible to give her baby the best chance at survival.
Week by week, the baby developed. But so did the cancer — and the pain.
On Feb. 19, 2004 Randie McDermott was born, two months premature, weighing one pound, nine ounces. Although Randie has cerebral palsy and doctors initially gave her little chance of survival, she was a joy to her parents. After giving birth, Corrie began aggressive cancer treatment, shuttling between Loma Linda University Medical Center where Randie was being treated and University of California, Los Angeles, where Corrie was receiving cancer treatment.
“Her heart was always on the girls, and having the faith that she was going to be able to pull out of it,” Donnie McDermott said. “She fought all the way to the last.”
On March 24, 2004, Corrie’s 25th birthday, she underwent a difficult six-hour cancer treatment at UCLA. Then afterward, she got one of her birthday wishes — to go shopping to buy gifts for her girls. Later that day, Corrie was able to hold her new baby for the one and only time.
The cancer progressed beyond treatment.
“At the end, when she was still able to talk, she said, ‘Mom, just remember, tell Dad, tell Donnie,’ she said, ‘don’t ever think that we didn’t do something right. Our decisions had to be made really quickly because it progressed so quickly. And we were making decisions just like that (snapping her fingers).' Whatever decisions we made, we made them to the best of our knowledge at the time.’ She said, ‘It’s all in God’s hands.’”
On May 6, 2004, Corrie McDermott lost her battle with cancer.
“We’re just so honored and we’re so proud of Corrie being nominated as one of the Inspiring Women of the community,” Fonville said. “I think to myself why all of this is coming about. But I believe in my heart that it’s happening for this one (Rachelle). When she gets older she’s going to be able to see and read about the impact that her mother left.”
The family has grown ever closer. Donnie McDermott considers Don and Becky Fonville to be his “other parents.” Little Rachelle and Becky share lots of tears — but also happy memories of Corrie. And whenever they drive past Maple Elementary, Rachelle says she wants to take on her mom’s job teaching students.
Baby Randie is now 4 years old. It has been a struggle, but she’s improving. Little things, like smiling, laughing and sucking on fingers are all signs of improvement. And they bring joy to those who love her.
When Randie was first born, some wondered whether it might have been best had she passed on with her mother, Fonville said.
“But I believe in my heart that Randie is here for us,” she said. “For us, she is a blessing. We look at her. She has gone through so much in her little life. She’s had many, many major surgeries also. And she’s just like her mom — she’s so strong. She is a fighter and she has a will to live and she wants to be here. The girls are here for us.”
Story Version 2 from Hesperia Star: More about Corrie's Christian faith.
http://www.hesperiastar.com/onset?id=142&template=article.htmlA mother's decision
March 14, 2007 - 4:42PM
By PETER DAYStar Editor
(This story originally appeared in the May 18, 2004 edition of the Hesperia Star.)
Corrie McDermott lived her life serving others, especially her Maple Elementary School students and family members.
Her selfless nature was put to the ultimate test in January when the lifelong Hesperia resident -- six months pregnant at the time -- was diagnosed with melanoma, a virulent and often fatal form of skin cancer.
Aggressive cancer treatment would have put the life of her unborn child at risk. But not attacking the cancer early could give the melanoma cells a chance to multiply, attack other parts of her body and threaten her own life.
Those who know McDermott's values weren't surprised when the 24-year-old refused aggressive cancer treatment for an approach that would give her child a better chance.
"She was always thinking about somebody else rather than herself," said Pastor Dave Corona of Full Gospel Church in Apple Valley. "She was committed to helping others."
Even as early as elementary school, it was clear McDermott was exceptional. She earned Student of the Year honors at Joshua Circle Elementary School and was on the honor roll at both Hesperia Junior and Hesperia High schools.
"She was always outstanding," said one of Corrie's teachers. "She was always someone you could count on."
During high school she became a peer leader, helping fellow students face the challenges of school and teen-age life. After attending Victor Valley College, she worked with high-risk students as an instructional aide.
In 2000 she married "the love of her life," Donnie McDermott, and the next year their first baby, Rachelle Ann McDermott, was born.
Her official teaching career began at Kingston Elementary School, then Topaz Elementary and finally Maple Elementary.
"She enjoyed every minute being able to be with those kids," said Pastor Royce Beserra.
On Feb. 19, three months before her due date, Randie Arlene McDermott was born. The tiny 1 pound, 9 ounce baby was given precious additional weeks in the womb to grow before her early arrival.
After her daughter was born, McDermott began more aggressive therapy. However, her condition worsened, but her spirit never waivered.
"She knew God was her strength," said Pastor Beserra. "She had a peace in her heart."
"Corrie had such an impact on people," said her cousin Richard Moreno. "The spirit of God moved on our family. All generations were impacted. The younger ones were praying for her miracle."
"I thank the Lord that He used Corrie to plant seeds in so many people," said Pastor Corona.
On McDermott's 25th birthday, March 24 -- her husband and McDermott shared the same birthday -- the couple drove to UCLA Medical Center for a grueling six-hour cancer treatment. Afterward, she took pain medication to endure the agony.
"I'll take you wherever you want to go," her husband remembers telling her as they got into the car. "Don't worry about the cost."
"Take me to Target!" she exclaimed.
"So that's what we did," he said.
While at Target she bought gifts for her children.
The day ended on a very special high note when the couple went to Loma Linda University's neo-natal intensive care unit to see their newborn, who has spent her days inside an incubator.
"That was the first and only time she was able to hold Randie," Donnie McDermott said.
Perhaps that short but sweet mother-child bond gave Randie just what she needed. Randie had been struggling to survive, facing several life-threatening complications. At a doctor's suggestion, Donnie McDermott even signed a "DNR" -- an order to "do not resuscitate" in the event the baby stopped breathing. But the DNR was rescinded after Randie's condition began dramatically improving.
"Today she weighs 6 pounds, 10 ounces," Donnie McDermott said. "She's just awesome."
On May 6, just four months after discovering she had melanoma, Corrie McDermott lost her battle.
"She was happy it was over," her husband told a standing-room-only gathering of friends, family and co-workers during last Thursday's memorial service at Full Gospel Church in Apple Valley.
And, according to those who knew her, she always kept her eye on God.
"I don't need to pray for Corrie to be in heaven," Pastor Beserra told the audience. "She's already there."
Drew A.G. Engman
drew_engman@hotmail.com568 Piñon Rd. P.O. Box 720130
Piñon Hills CA 92372
