Amazon Category:  Family Publisher: Carolinas Ecumenical Healing Ministries ISBN-10:  0982658133 Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 162 Copyright: February 14, 2013 ISBN-13: 9780982658130 First time author Tammy Brodowski Mott engulfs you into a whirlwind of emotions in her book “A Journey to Heaven, A Daughter’s Short Life Gives a Family Lessons in Love and Miracles.” Emmy Mott brought joy to her family and everyone who knew this little angel. Then the unimaginable struck. The rare childhood brain stem cancer DIPG came crashing in on her life. What was a mother to do? That's the crisis of Tammy Brodowski Mott, mother and author of the new book, A Journey to Heaven, A Daughter’s Short Life Gives a Family Lessons in Love and Miracles, published by Carolinas Ecumenical Healing Ministries. The doctors gave Emmy eight weeks to live. God had other plans. Her story touched the hearts of thousands of people. Many turned to Christ in faith. This is the story of Emmy Mott’s journey. A Journey to Heaven Tammy says, “She hopes that in sharing Emmy’s story, it might inspire people to look at their life differently. To take nothing for granted and appreciate all their gifts and blessings. To take time to cherish the things in their lives that are most important. Emmy taught us so much about God's love. May the legacy of Emmy be that her story will change people’s lives.”       Excerpt We anxiously waited for the CT scan results. I could tell by the doctor’s face, as she came toward me, that something was wrong. She said, “Mrs. Mott THERE IS A MASS IN EMMY’S HEAD.” We need an MRI for more information. She kept talking, but all I could hear was her repeating THERE IS A MASS IN EMMY’S HEAD. She kept mentioning a team of physicians would review the MRI results as soon as it is completed. Part of the team would be Neurological Oncology. Wait a minute, I thought, Neurological Oncology. Do they think this mass is cancerous? How could this be? We came here to have an MRI rule out any serious issues. I asked the question I was afraid to ask, “Are you thinking this mass is cancerous?” “Yes, I am so sorry.” was her reply. I returned to Emmy’s room to find her asleep. Mom was knitting. She asked, “Well, what did they have to say?” I replied, “It isn’t good Mom.” I informed her of everything that Dr. Jakacki had told us. Mom, Emmy’s life expectancy without treatment is only six to eight weeks.” Her jaw dropped in disbelief. “Mom, I just don’t know what to do.” Her face was an expression of confusion. Her first reaction was we must pursue treatment. I felt that she wanted us to do whatever necessary to have Emmy with us for as long as possible. She too fought back the tears. She was hurting, but wanted to be strong for Emmy and me. As hard as it was, it was time to make some phone calls. I needed to notify family and people at work. I needed to call Dad and his wife Ellen. I needed to get all the paperwork started so I could be on family medical leave. I needed to get home so that Denny and I could make one of the hardest decisions we would ever have to make in our lives. I needed to be with Denny. I also needed some alone time. I decided to take a shower. I couldn’t hold it back in anymore. It was so unbearable, so overwhelming. I sobbed uncontrollably, gasping for air as my limp body slumped against the shower wall. The tears kept coming and coming like waterfalls from a mountain of sorrows. “God haven’t we been through enough already? Why is this happening to my family?” I screamed out. “You gave her to us as a precious gift. She is just a little girl. She is only three-years-old. My God, my God, why, why, why is this happening?” My body was shaking. “How can I be strong for her? Am I making the right decision? Will I question my decision later? Will I regret the choices I have made? Lord, give me the strength and wisdom to make the right decision. The decision that is best for my family. What are we going to do now?”

Book review: A Journey to Heaven
http://www.examiner.com/review/book-review-a-journey-to-heaven?cid=db_articles
It's difficult for anyone to think about their child being diagnosed with an illness or disorder, but I can't imagine what it's like to hear that your child has a terminal disease. A Journey to Heaven was written by Tammy Brodowski Mott, Mother of Emmy Mott, and Bruce Brodowski, Grandfather of Emmy Mott. Emmy was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, a very rare form of brain cancer called Pontine Glioma.

I have been following Emmy's journey for months on Facebook, ever since hearing her story and I have been deeply touched by Emmy and her family, more so than I ever have been before. I have known others who have been diagnosed with terrible diseases and have myself been treated for Thyroid Cancer, but no one has affected my heart and soul as much.

This book is an amazing story that invites the reader into the private lives of the Mott family, while going through the most difficult of circumstances. Tammy tells in her own words the heartbreaking story from the first sign of the illness to the passing of Emmy and everything in between, including hearing for the first time that there was no cure for her beautiful baby girl. I began reading and became very emotional several times. Reluctantly, I would stop reading for a period of time to regain my composure. It wouldn't be long before I was drawn back to reading more about Emmy.

Emmy was an exceptional little girl, loved by all who met her. She was truly a gift from God for Tammy and her family. I never knew Emmy, but I did go to school with her parents, Tammy and Denny. Although, not close friends, we attended a small rural school where everyone knew everyone.

A Journey to Heaven will be available for purchase from Amazon.com on February 22,2013

Please take a few minutes and visit Emmy's Facebook Page...although not anything any of us wish for, Emmy's journey has inspired many, such as myself to appreciate the many blessings I have been given and not take anything for granted.