Over the past few years, I've read at least 3 different blogs written by parents who were in the throes of battling cancer with their children. One was an 18 month old boy who lost his battle recently. Another was a 2 year old girl who also lost her battle. And still another was a kindergarten girl who is fighting hard as we speak. I don't know why I read these blogs. They're certainly not uplifting, save for seeing the grace of God so blatant and real with all of these families. But I still read. And I cry. And my heart breaks for these families. And I pray fervently that this will never be me. I will be honest and say that I take that one step further and pray that if cancer must enter our home, that it's me who would deal with it. Not my kids.
While cancer hasn't entered our home, it has certainly pushed it's way into our realm. That's not to say that I've never known people with cancer before now. I know I had a great uncle who lost his battle with it many years ago, but I am much more aware of it and knowledgeable of it now than when I was a child.
My uncle Mike is currently in the fight. He's undergoing treatment out in California where he and my aunt Debbie live. He has written many letters to his family and friends during this battle and they have always been so encouraging. Even in the midst of a literal fight for his life, he shares his uplifting attitude and spirit with us. Could I be so positive while dealing with cancer? I don't know.
My friend and coworker Beth just recently found out that she has pancreatic cancer. She's a mom of 2 kids in her 30's. (I'm pretty sure that last sentence describes me too.) She and her husband shared her story at church this past Sunday. It was simply amazing the grace and peace that poured out of them while they were speaking, a few short days after receiving her diagnosis. She leaves on Sunday for MD Anderson in Houston to begin her fight.
Beyond the obvious, the hard part about watching someone you know and love go through something like this is not really knowing what to do about it. How can I help? I don't truly know the answer to that, but I will direct you to my friend Steve's blog. He is taking on an interesting method for raising awareness and money for cancer. Prostate cancer specifically, but also cancer in general. You should check it out.
I think the first, and most important, thing to do is to pray. I am specifically praying for God to heal Mike and Beth if it's his will. God can perform miracles even in the grimmest of circumstances. I would ask you to pray for them as well.
3 comments:
I could have written this post myself, Lydia. I don't know if it's our age and the fact that we have young ones, but it seems like I hear way more stories of kids with cancer than ever before! It totally breaks my heart and I don't know why I read the blogs because it puts me in such a sad, depressed mood. I know that God is working through these families to show what true trust and faith look like, but it's gut wrenching.
With our uncle Mike going through this, it's been a lot closer to home now. I too am amazed by his positive, uplifting attitude. I cry every time I read one of his letters and am praying for him and his family. I can't imagine how I would feel if this was my own dad going through this.
I found out yesterday that one of my students has melanoma (which I think is a form of skin cancer) and will begin her fight against this beast. She is such a sweet girl with a great attitude and I feel for her so much. I hope cancer keeps out of my house as well and that if any of us has to fight it that it that it not be any of my kids.
Thanks for the post!
Good post on a hard subject! Yes, it's extremely hard to understand the why's behind it all!!! The only thing we can hold onto is the knowledge that God is still in control and has a plan for every person's life... whether it's 80+ years or a mere few days of life! The really amazing thing is how HIS grace shines through in each situation! Grandpa once preached a sermon about how God's grace doesn't come to us until our time of need. He doesn't give us dying grace when we're living, when our children are healthy and strong... but when the moment comes that we need it, He provides. Very comforting to know!
This is such a hard subject! I'm sorry to hear about your friend. Sometimes it's hard to believe that cancer has affected someone in our family! I do know so many people who have loved ones struggling with cancer. You never think it could be you. And you're right, sometimes the only(and most powerful) thing we can do is pray for the people affected by this horrible thing. I know Mike has so many prayer warriors praying for him. He's prayed over by our church. I know family member's churches are also praying for him. I can only imagine how tough and scary it is.
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