We know this story will touch your hearts as our sister’s life has touched so many others around her.

After two years of complaining of unbearable pain in her side, which doctors had decided was physcosomatic due to a lack of attention - which believe me was never a problem in our house(at the age of 26 I still believe I am a princess because my folks told me I was one in 1987), Debs was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Ewings Sarcoma. She was nine. This type of cancer affects the long bones and has a 2% survival rate! The primary tumor, which was the size of an orange, had been found on her ribs. This mass was removed along with three ribs and a quarter of her lung, which were than replaced with wire ribs and steel mesh. Three years of chemotherapy were to follow. Amazingly enough, or should I just say because Debs is Debs, the chemo made her sick only once, and then it was greasy food and salt and vinegar chips all the way... still with rosy cheeks and her bright and cheery disposition….

During her third year of chemo Debs discovered a bump on her head. A secondary tumor had grown but already miracles were happening - these tumors generally only appear when they are too big to “fix” and don’t give you pain, Debs had pain, amazing! But still…..Doctors called our folks in and told them it was a matter of months, weeks or even days before our sis would lose her life, as once a secondary tumor of this form of cancer is found that’s supposed to be IT literally.

I will never forget that day I was seven and my folks, older sister Bron and I were devestated, and absolutely helpless. Debs however at the age of twelve, with an amazing amount of Faith and a strength hard to fathom, calmed us all down and informed everyone that she was going to win this battle with Jesus. A document was signed, and her name was once again written by her and God in the book of life.

After a course of radiation which no-one thought would help, this twelve by two centimeter invasion of her tiny body, which was meant to “spread like wildfire” through her entire system, grew only 2cms in two years... so the flabbergasted doctors decided to operate removing the giant mass and large section of the skull on top of her head. A further miracle occurred during the surgery.. my amazing mother prayed beforehand that the tumor would be encapsulated between the lobes of the brain and would not have penetrated the brain at all. The first thing the surgeon said as he came out of surgery was, “wow, he had managed to literally lift the tumor out as it had not invaded the brain at all", which of course could have caused brain and nerve damage had it done so.

For the next two years Debs walked around with a “hole” in her head and no protection. However the radiation and surgery had not worked as one microscopic, rapidly multiplying cancerous cell left behind, formed a new tumor and smaller masses kept on popping up on the margin of the previous tumor. And so, after copious amounts of radiation we decided to take our sis to Cincinnati, Ohio where our aunt and uncle, Sandy and Steven Amoils, are medical doctors, to have the latest tumor removed and reconstructive surgery performed to the affected area of her head. The mass was removed and than using a vein from her calf, skin from her thigh, a large muscle from her back and titanium my precious sister’s head was reconstructed, this took thirteen very long hours. Surprising not only us but the surgeons in America Debs was up and at our aunt’s graduation within a week the doctors even discounted there charges as they were so inspired by this child.
But sadly this was not the end of her battle…. A year later following a bump and pain yet again….we discovered a tumor on her knee and pelvis, refusing to have her knee joint removed as was recommended. Debs decided enough of trying to make her the biomechanical woman and opted rather for radiation. The course worked on her knee dissolving the mass completely but not on her pelvis and so a few months later a semi-pelvectomy was performed removing a large section of the hip and steel plates inserted for support these were later removed and so she now has no support in her pelvis. Debs was flat on her back for 6 weeks and still no complaining. I always say its amazing how these things do truly happen to those of us who can handle it. I think I would have given up years before if it had been me and I’m sure plenty agree.

After this last surgery finally the cancer HAD BEEN BEATEN but the repercussions of all this have been enormous. During the twelve years of cancer so many unrelated problems occurred linked to the operations and treatment. One of the chemotherapy drugs, adreomycin has a strictly no exercise rule this was totally unbeknownst to us and Debs was an unbelievable swimmer. After a gala one night she went into heart failure and is now on chronic heart medication for the rest of her life. Through the wire ribs and steel mesh being used to reconstruct the rib cage, one of the wire ribs had come loose and lodged itself one millimeter away from Debs’ spinal cord. Once again, thinking this was phscosamatic, Debs was put in a back brace - squashing this wire invasion further into the spine. After discovering the actual cause of the problem, doctors could not and still cannot believe she is walking today. Then, ever the fanatical Bayvel family rugby supporters (our father was a springbok scrumhalf and so having no sons we were taught rugby in our cots) during the 95 World Cup South Africa vs. Australia opening match Debs, in excitement jumped up and sent a wire rib straight into her scapula. We still tease our Dad that this is the only rugby injury his offspring will ever give him!

Surgeries have also been performed where tumors have been thought to exist, but after much prayer before the surgeries, these have been found to be healing fractures, and yes, amazing the medical world again.

In the eight years that Debs has been clear of cancer, medically if you are cancer free for five years you are in remission, she has undergone more than forty reconstructive operations, has suffered a mild stroke as a result of the the copious amounts of radiation and is now on Epilepsy medication. She also recently underwent an operation removing the titanium in her head as it kept breaking through the skin which could have caused life-threatening infections. Skull implants were fitted which attach to an external “skull cap”. Ever the strength in our family Debs jokes about looking like Frankenstein.

Through everything this angel has endured, she has never felt sorry for herself or been resentful towards others for being normal. Debs and our mom, Denise, have also touched the lives of so many children and adults suffering with this cruel disease and have given them hope that it can be beaten.
Debs says if she has had to have gone through all of this just to touch and inspire these lives she would do it again in a heartbeat.

My mother and father are also the most amazing people. I don’t think one ever knows what it feels like to have a sick child and being totally helpless and nothing within your reach to help. They have also never neglected my older sister Bron or myself which is a rare occurrence in these situations.
Sitting here writing this story makes me unbelievably emotional for what they have been through as parents but yet so grateful to have such a wonderful family.

Thanks Mom and Dad, you are our pillars of strength... and to my older sister Bron for sometimes having to look after me like a parent when times were tough. She is a shining star and my second mom.
But most of all to the most inspirational sister, Debs, you are an absolute angel sent form God to brighten up and inspire others lives.

The only thing that has affected this amazing girl are the physical results of this battle. She is covered in scars, will never have her own hair and walks with a slight limp. Understandibly, these physical issues have given this precious humanbeing a lack of self confidence. You would never say if you met her as you can see in the pictures below, but because I live with her and know that she battles these internal demons constantly to the point where she believes she will never find that special someone to love and adore her...

Debs is truly talented vocally she has the most amazing voice and it is my goal in life to make her succeed with this amazing gift she possesses. I really believe she deserves it.

I feel this story needs to be shared with people going through the same difficulties we went through. I also believe it will inspire and motivate people generally in all walks of life

UPDATES

Debs has joined facebook... she's looking gorgeous.
Debs also sings like and Angel... any music producers out there?
Debs turned 29 on 10 March this year... 17 years after the doctors gave her only a couple of months to live.. everyday is a celebration of her life.
Debs is doing so well guys your messages everyday give her so much joy and the inspiration she now sees she gives everyone makes her so happy and gives her a reason for going through all of this keep loving and praying for her xxx

I am now determined to make my sis use her incredible singing talent and share it with others as well as her incredilble story if you know of anyone or can help with anything please let me know

Jo Bayvel
joanneb@virtualworks.co.za

Debs, I have not been concentrating on my mission :) to share your incredible story with the world it happened for a reason angel To give glory to our precious saviour Jesus, without him you would not be here and to let others know that with strength, faith and hope anything can and will be done. The other part of my mission is for you to use your creativity and talent to achieve all that you desire in life. You desrve a world of hapiness and more. Yes we can do it!!! Im going to write your book and you are going to sing and make jewleryly and let the world know how special you are remeber life withou love is like clipping abirds wings so it cannot do what it is meant to .... FLY you are surrounded by Love so fly and reach the skies my precious sister- all my love jojo