Monday, August 20, 2012

The storm

I've been MIA this past week or so, not by choice, but by sheer exhaustion. I've debated whether or not to talk about this because I personally don't enjoy reading a string of negative tweets or blog posts or whatever, especially from one person. I never want to be the person that constantly complains. So I'm going to talk about it once, get it out, and move on. If there's anything I've learned in the past few years of blogging, it's that sometimes the love of strangers can be uplifting in ways I've never imagined. And for selfish reasons, I think just writing this will be therapeutic for me.

Both my family and NTP's are in the middle of a storm, and we could really use your prayers.

About three months ago we discovered that my first cousin has Stage 4 cancer. He's 26 years old. Now, three months later, we still don't know what kind of cancer he has. Sadly, our faith in the medical community is quickly sinking, as is his health. My mom and aunt drove him up to Boston this past week to see a specialist associated with Harvard. He was still unable to give a diagnosis, but put him on an aggressive treatment to see how he responds, and then go from there. On their way back to Macon, I met them in Commerce to pick up my mom. Y'all, my cousin (who was always overweight) was thinner than I am and obviously in a lot of pain. But throughout it all, his faith in God is uplifting not only him, but the rest of us that love him.

On top of that, my grandmother (my only remaining grandparent) has been in a nursing home for nine years because of a stroke that paralyzed the left side of her body. When I took my mom to LaGrange Sunday morning we stopped by the nursing home and for the first time, my grandmother didn't know who I was. She also called my mom by another name. As you can imagine, my mom was already physically and emotionally exhausted from the trip to Boston and I think that broke her in a sense.

NTP's family could also use your prayers. I don't feel right discussing it, so I simply ask for your thoughts and prayers.

I think we could all stand to be a little more thankful for the little things every day. I know I could. Now when I find myself grumbling over something small, I've started realizing just how trivial it is. I'm healthier than many, have the most incredible support system, and have a God who will be with me ALWAYS, through every storm, and a Savior that died so that my cousin, my grandmother, and all of us will have everlasting life. If that's not comforting, I don't know what is.

Thanks for your patience and understanding and I really hope this didn't ruin anyone's morning. That was not definitely my intention.

A friend sent me this verse this morning, and I'll leave you with this uplifting bit of truth.

"I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me." - Psalm 16:8

8 comments:

Suburban prep said...

12 yrs ago my sister was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-hodgkin's lymphoma. It took quite a bit of time before her diagnosis came through. She was also 2 months pregnant at the time. She was also living in China. She returned home to the Midwest and began cancer treatment (she lost the baby--second child she lost as 10 months earlier she had given birth to a little girl who passed about two hours later). My sister was given a 10% chance of living. She went through chemo and then radiation and she looked to one of her brothers or sisters to be a bone marrow donor (Turns out none of the six of us matched her). There was a savior out there on the marrow list and she will be celebrating in 8 days 11 yrs since the bone marrow transplant. She was treated at the Loyola Med Cancer Ctr in the Chicago area. There is always always hope.
Right now she is the mother of an adopted daughter from China. She is actually at the hospital as I write this because my mother just had an aortic aneurysm dissection for the 2nd time in 6 months.
As I have found out there is always hope and you have to put your faith in God's hands.

Prayers and thoughts to you and your family.

Sarah said...

MY prayers are with you! I am sorry you are going through such a hard time. Just remember God doesn't give us anything we cant handle. Just think how much faith he has in you with all this. Let me know if I can help.

Cassie @SweetTea-and-EarlGrey said...

Hey love. I am so sorry for the storms that you and NTP are going through right now. You are strong and your faith will get you through the struggle. While we desire and long to control these things we have to look past ourselves and remember that it is beyond our control. Just keep giving all that cheerful support I know you have and remember that you are not alone. Lean on the Lord, on your family and N to help you with all of this and you will find strength in each other. I love you and remember I'm only a phone call away if you need me. Hugs.

jaime huffman said...

Praying for you in this tough time.

I wanted to share an encouraging story. My mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer several years ago. She was given 5 months to live. It had metastasized in her lungs. We found out we were expecting the first grand baby and she was not supposed to make it to see him.

She decided to go to MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, TX for an experimental treatment. It worked!

She is going to be at Harper's second birthday party next week.

Please have your cousin look into MD Anderson. I trust them more than anyone else in the medical feel. When all else failed, those doctors were the answer to our prayers.

A Brew of Blessings said...

Thanks for posting. I just posted the other day on being intentional about looking for the blessings in life because sometimes we are so busy that we miss them :) It's not always easy but it's worth it when we discover how blessed we really are. Prayers for your grandmother!

A Brew of Blessings said...

And sincere prayers for your cousin, what an incredibly difficult circumstance.

Heather said...

Hi,

I have a quick question about your blog, do you think you could e-mail me?

Heather

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