Sometimes we can become so involved with the busyness of "living" that we fail to recognize the frailty of life. Until it smacks us in the face and we are left blindsided.
Last Saturday was one of those times.
My cousin brought her 10 year old daughter to the Dr. because of a nagging cough. After she'd made the appointment her daughter mentioned that "there was this lump on her neck..." By the end of that very same day, Bridgette was hospitalized in the pediatric ICU with a tentative diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Stage IV.
My cousin looked at me with tears in her eyes and asked "How can a person wake up one morning and everything is business as usual - and by the time the day is done, their whole world has been rocked to the core?"
I didn't have an answer. Hugs were the best I could do.
Further testing has shown that there are tumors in her lung, pancreas and ovaries. She starts chemo today. I've been down this road. Too many times. It sucks. (sorry - that's the only word that seems to fit.) Four times I've stood at the bedside of someone I loved and watched them pass from this world to the next. Three of those times were preceded by the roller coaster ride of cancer.
All I could think of when I got the news was.... Strap your self in....it's time for another ride.
There is room for guarded optimism here. One must always cling to hope. But I'm scared. For Bridgette who is much too young to have to fight a battle that even the strongest of adults fear. I'm scared for her parents, Tracey and Mike. This is their firstborn. Their little girl. They are in anguish.
But I cleave the knowledge that we serve a loving God who will see them through this trial. Whatever the outcome, He will be there. There will be a lot of times along this journey where there will be only one set of footprints. But it will be a long journey. And their lives will never, ever be the same again.
Please pray for Bridgette...and Tracey...and Mike.
If you would like to follow her story - go to the Caring Bridge website.
And hug somebody you love today.
23 comments:
I'm so sorry to hear about this news. I'm sitting here in tears feeling the uncertainty that you all face. My heart goes out to you, and my thoughts and prayers as well. Life is so fragile and precious. I wish I knew what to say to help you through this. I offer you my hugs and well wishes. WE will all be here to support you and everyone.
Caring Bridge is a wonderful site. A friend of mine uses it with her young daughter who was diagnosed with Leukemia. It's a wonderful network of support.
You have always been there for my tribulations and offering your prayers - so I will be one of the many prayer warriors for Bridgette, Tracey and Mike.
I would like to offer up my prayers. I created a site for my husband last year on caring bridges. He was in a really bad car accident last year and was almost killed. Its been a rough year but,most of all is I'm glad he is still with me. Your in my prayers during this time
You are all in my thoughts! Wow, it just makes me realize again how quickly things can change...
Oh Lora, I'm so sorry to hear this news. I will keep Bridgette and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Lora, I'll be praying for your cousins and I'll also add them to my church prayer line and small group prayer chain. Hang on to hope.
I am so sorry. Life isn't fair and this isn't how it's suppose to unfold. I will send positive thoughts to you and your family. Please keep us posted on how Bridgette progresses.
I will squeeze my family a little tighter today.
Many blessing to you.
They are in my prayers. As a mother, my children are my whole world, and I can't imagine having to go through something like this. Having faith is about all one can do at a time like this. Glad you are there for them.
I do not have a blog but read your blog everyday! I am so saddened and deeply concerned for you & your family. If prayer is what helps you through this, I will pray for Bridgette. I am so sorry. I love what you write because it is what I am usually thinking but too afraid to have a blog and put my words out there.
A reader in Chicago.......
Hello Lora, I came to you from JC´s blog. I will be praying for your cousin´s girl. What an awful thing to happen!
((hugs)) from Betty
Medicine is making progress against cancer. Hopefully, this will be a great success story. Best wishes.
I lost my father to cancer and that was and still is such a difficult thing for me to deal with.
Thank you for sharing this story with us. I pray that this family can find the strength to handle this situation. God Bless!
For such a cute girl got such a heavy disease, I feel very sad. Hope that she will be able to rehabilitation. God bless her. Let us bless her. Amen
http://eyesinkaleidoscope.blogspot.com/
http://fymtyh.blogspot.com/
Keeping you all in my prayers and wishing you strength...
Lora, I did a post on my site linking to you. Hope that was o.k.
I'm sorry to hear this sad news.I'm praying as well. I will be adding a link for a prayer request on my site as well.
Oh Laurie, I am so sorry you and your family are going through this. It really isn't fair at all. Please know I'll be praying for Bridgette and all who know and love her. God is still a God of miracles--I totally, totally believe that with all my heart. May God keep your heart calm in the days and weeks to come. Hugs, Debra
lora..my prayers are lifted for your family.
~AM
I'm so sorry to hear about this tragedy that is striking your family. Please know that I'll be keeping everyone involved in my prayers!
Please take care of yourself as they will need you in the upcoming months!
So sorry to hear of the family sufferings. I will pray. can't imagine what they are going through.
I so sorry to hear this! she will definitely be in my prayers.
:o(
Lots and lots of prayers for your cousins and their sweet little one.
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