The shirts from the first order have to be delivered before any more orders can be placed. Beth King said local businesses have stepped up and have offered their assistance.

“Brookhaven has been very good to us,” she said.

King said receiving her cancer diagnosis was scary, but she knows it’s nothing God can’t take care of.

“This could just be part of my testimony,” she said.

The Kings said they can’t thank their church family enough for everything they’ve done so far, from bringing them meals to helping take care of their home when they’re away at Batson.

“We have got a very loving church. It’s more like a family,” Beth King said. “In situations like this, I’ve learned to ask for help.”

After the surgery Friday, King needs to take time off to recuperate — maybe the rest of the year. Because of her weakened immune system, doctors don’t think she’ll be able to return to school until after flu season has passed.

The surgery will consist of a dissection of her neck, in which the surgeon can remove the lymph nodes but can also remove a certain vein, muscle or nerve or a combination of all three. He’ll also remove her thyroid gland. Because of this she’ll likely take hormone medication for the rest of her life.

“As a mother, it’s scary, but we’ve got our faith,” Beth King said.

“Put your faith in God,” Madeline King said. “You’re not gonna be given something you can’t handle.”

To order a T-shirt to help provide meal vouchers to parents of patients at Batson, contact Beth King on Facebook or text her at 601-757-2407. T-shirts are $20 each with a $2 additional charge for size 2XL and larger. All proceeds from the T-shirt sale go to Blaire E. Batson Children’s Hospital.

Story by Gracie Byrne