Amy Ekblad had been blogging for several years, using the platform to recount the joys and lives of her 14 children and three grandchildren and to express her deep faith.

But it was a year ago that her journaling took a turn as her family received life-changing news.

Daughter Cecilia was 15 years old in mid-January 2024 when she began experiencing unusual pain in her right leg that was relieved by rest or painkillers. Fearing an injury to her knee, she went to University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, where imaging suggested osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. The diagnosis was confirmed weeks later.

On St. Valentine’s Day last year, Amy wrote on her Blessed by God blog, “Please pray for a miracle. Cecilia is handling it all in the best possible way. We have a community around us loving us, praying for us, and lifting us up in so many ways, and we are eternally grateful!” For the next year, Amy’s blog entries recorded her gratitude, updates on Cecilia and family, as well as testimonies of growing faith.

In an interview, Amy and Cecilia revealed to the Register the depths of a shared struggle. They attend Christ the King parish in Ann Arbor, Michigan, known for its fervent modern liturgies and dedication to evangelization. Amy spoke of the outpouring of love and help from the parish, especially from Cecilia’s friends.

Father Ed Fride, pastor of Christ the King, told the Register that he and the parish have spent time with the Ekblads, especially in prayer. “A lot of times, Cecilia is given the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, and lots of people join in to be supportive because they know it is a critical situation; lots of people are praying.” In addition to prayer, Father Fride said that his congregation provides the family meals and babysitting when needed.

John Hoving, who leads parish youth discipleship, said he has been impressed by the outpouring of support from young people for the Ekblads. “It happens that when there is an anointing or there is a big surgery coming up or a round of chemo that we very organically will gather around and pray for healing and courage.” Hoving and Cecilia’s friends have frequently visited her at the hospital. He added that he has been struck by the Ekblads’ blog and how open they have been to accompaniment from others. Additionally, he said that young people who wear “Pray for Cecilia” wristbands distributed by the Ekblads have had a real effect. “A lot of high schoolers are wearing them. When I ask them ‘How’s your prayer life going?’ they tell me, ‘I feel closer to God than I ever have because I am praying every day for Cecilia.’”

And faith has been paramount.

“I don’t know how anybody could do it without faith in God,” Amy said. “It’s very painful to watch my child suffer. But what I have come back to, in prayer over and over again, is that God watched his Son suffer and the Blessed Virgin Mary watched her Son suffer — being able to pray and connect with them on a different level. It’s all faith, our community, and our family that we turn to in the darkest and happiest times.”

Amy and husband Jesse have been married for 29 years and have home-schooled for 23 years. The eldest of their children is a professional photographer who provides photos on the blog. Their youngest is 5 years old, and their grandchildren are of similar age. Amy said that she was already busy with parish evangelization, family and home-schooling before Cecilia’s diagnosis. This was further complicated this past year, as Jesse was hospitalized to remove kidney stones.

“There’s always something to be grateful for. We’ve learned a lot and met absolutely amazing people in the hospital: doctors, nurses, patients and their parents. We’ve had some moments that made me think, ‘I wish this hadn’t happened,’ but I know it happened for these reasons. There have been some amazing, really anointed moments,” Amy recalled.

One of these moments, she said, occurred on Good Friday in a hospital corridor. Another mother, whose young daughter had lost her faith in God, was there. “She didn’t understand why God would let her suffer. Cecilia ministered to her. It makes me cry every time I think about it. Cecilia talked to her about God and faith. We stood around the girl in a circle and prayed. It was an incredible moment,” Amy said.

Cecilia told the Register that she shared her outlook with her fellow patient. “I reminded her that God doesn’t allow suffering for no reason. He is always going to teach us something and help us find joy in the hardest moments. I shared that I find hope in God and friendships. I think it was hard for her, and she didn’t have a good relationship with the Church. So I shared my experience and how healing can be found there.”

Cecilia turned 16 on July 7 and is finishing high school. During two days when she was not hospitalized last year, she feared that she would not be well enough to celebrate with her family. “When I went downstairs, two of my sisters called me over. I saw that so many people, many I did not know, had sent me cards and gifts that took me days to sort out. That really touched me. It struck me that people I don’t know are praying and cheering me on. That’s such an amazing grace that God has given to me,” she said.

She recalled that two of her friends visited her at the hospital to play guitar and sing with her. “Those were such holy moments that are hard to explain,” Cecilia said.

Amy’s blog recounts the adjustments the family has made over the last year as Cecilia faced chemotherapy, surgery and multiple stays in hospital. Cecilia lost her hair and used crutches or a wheelchair as the cancer advanced in her leg and lungs. When she felt well enough, she was able to participate in family events and even Vacation Bible School.

In June, Amy wrote of her faith and struggles: “Sometimes I feel like a snow globe constantly being shaken. Just when everything starts to settle, something comes along and gives it another shake.” She continued, “Trying to find footing and accepting what our life is right now is an internal struggle for me. Inspired by the verse ‘God’s ways are not our ways’ (Isaiah 55:8-9), I often find myself saying, ‘It’s fine.’”

“There is always so much to be grateful for. Cancer is scary but fear is not my story, sickness is not Cecilia’s story, He is. So leave the future to God, and soak in moments together when we get them,” Amy wrote.

To other couples experiencing trials, she recommended establishing routines such as taking walks regularly and praying the Rosary together. Giving space to the other’s different way of grieving was another recommendation, as was relying on faith-filled friends for support.

Cecilia continues to receive treatment and also seeks natural ways to combat the cancer. In a few weeks, she will have another scan of her lungs.

Cecilia has spoken at retreats for home-schooled children and will soon speak at a similar retreat at Christ the King about surrendering to God’s will. She spoke of a nurse at the hospital to whom she has become close: “There have been difficult moments when I was in a lot of pain, really sick, upset and sad. That’s when we pray together. That’s a really grace-filled time that is really beautiful. A place of desolation becomes a place where I am close with God because we are bringing him into that space and opening my heart to him in my hardship and my mother’s hardship.”