It's still a terrible disease that affects millions of lives. It affects sons and daughters, husbands and wives and moms and dads. It doesn't discriminate. Instead of asking "why me?" my mama always asked "why not me?" She has continued to be strong and an inspiration to everyone she knows. My mama has never given up ( not that there weren't times it probably crossed her mind for a minute). She has fought and continues to fight. she has never lost her faith, and she turned all this over to God, after all, He is the greatest physician.
This isn't the first time I have blogged about my beautiful mama and it sure won't be the last either. I will never run out of things to write about her! Had I had it over, I would of keep up on a more current blog and shared her entire journey.
Cancer has been a huge part of her journey. The first diagnois coming in I believe 1988...ovareian cancer. It didn't stop there. In 2000, breast and lympathtic cancer. she has always said, "its just a bump in the road of life" I do know not every road in life is always straight and smooth, not always paved. In fact, they can be bumpy and curvy, but they are all full of lessons to be learned as you travel along them. ( my point being, she has taught me these are just bumps in the road, not the end). Exactly 11 years later....the breast cancer is back...another bump in the road, second mascestomy. I have seen her hurt from every hair focile to the tip of her toes and everything in between, yet she never gave up hope, nor let us.
Guess you could say my mama was a member of the coolest club you NEVER want to join. Not a gardening club, a gym or an enjoyable hobby club, but the cancer club. From the second she walked through the doors of the cancer treatment facilities she was initiated as a new member, with all the benefits...the good and the bad. The bad thing is she had CANCER. A lot of times the good can be overlooked. There are some of the most loving and compassionate nurses, receptionists, x-rays techs and even most of the doctors. In todays society, many would find this remarkable. But what 's even more remarkable is all the faces looking out from the treatment area. Sitting as comfortable as possible from their lazy boy recliners, needles and tubes coming out of their ports, hanging from IV poles, they still find the joy, the happiness, the comfort and smiles from one another knowing they are not in this alone. And, you don't have to impress anyone, you don't have to wear make-up, do your hair (since most don't have any), the others don't judge you, they accept you and this acceptance gives you the courage to reach out to others, share your journey and find new friends. Don't get me wrong, its not all rainbows and candy, there were plenty of tears, and fears of the unknown. I think the hardest part of being in this Cancer Club was knowing some of them would get sicker, some surgeries may not get all of the tumors and some will die sooner than later. I know there were times it was hard for my mama to watch her fellow club members get sicker and feel sicker herself, sure she along with the other members wanted Out! They surely didn't want to renew their subscription/membership, but they kept on encouraging one another, holding them up in pray and positive thoughts, and you NEVER gave up. I am grateful for all the supportive people in her life, both in the professional field and her personal life.
CANCER can do a lot of things, yet there are a lot of things it cannot do:
*it cannot cripple love
*it cannot shatter hope
*it cannot take away peace
*it cannot kill friendships
*it cannot shut out memories
*it cannot squash the spirit
My mama has boundaries and refuses to let it take much away for....for that she is my hero, my inspiration.
I've shared songs, Bible verses, stories and memories about my mom. There is one that stands out for me. Proverbs 31:28 "Her children arise and call her blessed" the footnote states "blessed is the one who enjoys happy circumstances and from whom joy radiates." There are not better words to describe my mama!
Spring 2012...more....Melanoma
Christmas 2013...yet another diagnois
the CAT Scan showed spots on her liver, gallbladder and lung. Small but there....once again just a bump in the road right? Chemo dosage is now a part of her daily life and all the side effects.
Feb 2015....more scans, including bone scans. I have to say with all her aches, pains, headaches, dizzy spells, nauesness and tiredness we weren't ( or I should speak for myself) sure what was next, but I don't think anyone would blame us. Finally some news that was like music to our ears...no bone cancer, few areas of concern and further consults, blood work and testing, and sure a port may be placed and medications changed and more bumps in the road but for now NO BONE CANCER!! PRASIE GOD!
I'm just amazed and in awe at her strength, her attitude, her compassion, her love, her courage and most important her faith and how obedient she is....she not only loves the Lord God with all her heart and soul, but she loves her neighbor and does and gives to so many.
There are so many beautiful things in life, and sometimes they come in pairs, dozens, hundreds and millions such as flowers, sunsets, rainbows and the stars but my mama STANDS ALONE....SHE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PERSON I KNOW.
AND ALL OF THIS BECAUSE OF HIS AMAZING GRACE.......
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