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'Miracles do happen:' Edmonds mom's inspiring story of survival

Two years ago, Jennifer Sabounchi got a death sentence. Now, she calls it a life sentence.

As Jennifer Sabounchi rolls out an apple pie crust, her little girl Ahzi plants a kiss with lips coated in brown sugar. It is the sweetest of holidays at the Sabounchi household this year.

"Miracles do still exist. We have been given a miracle," says Jennifer.

But while giggles and the smell of holiday treats in the air make the family's Edmonds home feel like a Christmas movie, it hasn't always been such a wonderful life.

Last year at this time Jennifer was battling stage four lung cancer which had spread to her brain. She was so sick and miserable that she started preparing to die.

Specifically, Jennifer started thinking thoughts involving her then 3-year-old daughter that no mother should ever have to contemplate.

"I was asking different women if they would be my child's mother. How could I help them with that? What would I have to do to set that up? My best friend of 20 years, Brooke, said it would be no problem," said Jennifer. "It was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life was look for a fill-in."

But then, Jennifer made a decision. As she continued her treatment, Jennifer chose to believe she was going to live.

She embraced prayer groups and stopped googling mortality rates. 

Instead, Jennifer researched survivor stories -- and found them. Now, she is one of those stories. 

The cancer in Jennifer's brain is completely gone, and whatever remains in her lungs is believed to be scar tissue. 

"When I got the news I just started screaming and jumping up and down," she said. "And my doctor did it with me!"

Jennifer believes her faith turned her "death sentence into a life sentence."

"The only advice I would give is, don't lose hope," said Jennifer. "I just want people to know out there that it can happen."

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Jennifer also credits her husband, Kevin, for his tireless devotion working his full-time job by day and playing caregiver at night.

Kevin says his wife is worth every minute.

"She's my everything. To have her here still by my side is the best thing that could ever happen to me," he said.

While Jennifer is on the path to a full recovery, she still gets check-ups every three months.

She knows nothing is for certain, but Jennifer compares her life today to a Christmas more than 30 years ago when she received a brand new bike and got on for the ride.

"Did I question what's gonna happen if someone steals my bike, takes it away, or if I get hit on it? No! With a childlike faith, I rode that bike as far as I could. I was in a place of joy. That is how I'm going to receive what I believe is a miracle. I'm not going to worry about what's down the road. I'm going to ride my bike into the sunset and celebrate for as long as I can," said Jennifer.

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