Category Archives: cancer

cancer, Family

Be Let Loose From the Hospital

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Mom was discharged from the hospital this morning. She checked off all the boxes on the list:
– no more oxygen
– oral pain medication
– pee
– poo
– walking around
– eating

How are you doing with these today?

I am realizing on my own healing journey that I need my mind to check in with my body. I have one strong, stubborn, determined mind!

Mom is safely tucked into her hotel room for the next few days. They hope to make the four hundred and forty kilometre trek home on Monday.

Rest well mom! Heal well. May God continue to hold you in the palm of His hand.

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cancer, Family

Be giving a hospital update

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Hi all!

Here’s mom’s room with a view:

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She had a great morning!

She’s now off of her catheter, taking oral pain medications rather than intravenous and she enjoyed the morning watching curling and talking about shoes with M.

The surgery went very very well. There were no surprises and the doctors are excited to see what the chemotherapy can do.

We are filled to overflowing with gratitude. We have felt the love and peace of everyone who has sent messages and emails.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

cancer, Family, Parenting

Be Going In for Surgery

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Mom goes to VGH tomorrow (Halloween Day) at 5:45am. She is scheduled for surgery with Dr. Lee at around 7:00am.

They are taking all the cancer and a few organs as well.

The surgeon has said she will be in the hospital for two nights.

My prayer for my beautiful mama:

Mom, may you feel peace as you walk into one of your least favourite places.

May you feel God guiding you with kindness and love through Dad and M your side.

May you sense our love and prayers from ALL of us far away.

May the doctors and nurses have smooth hands and sharp eyes.

May we all see a miracle through you, through this surgery and through the last three chemos.

Mom you are a wonder to me every day – your unconditional love, your kindness, your work ethic, your support for me and my boys.

I love you mom! Heal quickly and see you at home next week.

In Jesus’ mighty and healing name I pray all these things. Amen.

cancer, Family

Be Staying

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Deep within myself a pain wells up.

My lungs ache from coughing.

But this is nothing compared to seeing my mom going south for surgery.

On Halloween, they will cut her open and remove the cancer.

I had a plan.

Many plans.

Haven’t you?

Tomorrow, I will do this and that.

The next day we will go south.

In the book of Isaiah 55 it says:
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I tried to find a way to go.

I wanted to figure it out.

My body had other plans.

I choose to stay and rest.

I stay.

I am devastated.

I support with prayer and love.

I allow my body to heal.

I trust.

I know God has us all in the palm of His hand.

I stay.

I watch mom and dad go with tears welling up.

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Boys, cancer, Christianity, Family, Parenting

Be Living In Godly Isolation

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I stand.

On my own.

I wait.

For someone to say something.

For someone to smile, to notice, to see this shattered human among them.

I stand.

In the unknown.

I wait.

For someone to tell me something.

For someone to tell me it will be okay, mom will be healed and I will have my best friend back.

I stand.

Not knowing.

I wait.

For someone to show me something.

For someone to show me why I am living here in isolation with my boys, away from my parents, from my support, from the place I am ‘known’.

I stand.

I understand.

I wait for no one.

No human can answer my questions.

No one can be enough, no one can help me comprehend or bring me moment-by-moment comfort.

I stand.

I am not alone.

I wait.

God is my strength.
My Someone.
My everlasting peace and joy.
My understanding.
My known.
He is more than enough in my isolation from family and friends.
Thank you Jesus.

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Boys, cancer, Family

Be Turning a Corner

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Mom has officially turned a corner. No more pain/nausea. She is getting out and about. She came for a short visit today. She is eating and drinking. It truly is the little things in life! October 31st is mom’s surgery date.

Oh ya, I also have something to share. When you ‘turn the corner’ into our dining room/kitchen, look at this great hat rack we put up from Ikea:

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I love this simple rack! It holds all the boys knapsacks. There are cubbies for them to put their home reading/crafts in. We have even been using the top to keep our precious Lego creations safe.

I just love turning a corner!

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Sidenote:
I am not sure if anyone feels schizophrenic about this post or not, but it definitely shed some light for me. I was writing about my mom turning a corner which led me to thinking about our new rack around the corner.

Every day, I live in the reality of my mom’s journey through cancer. Every day I struggle to ‘feel’ anything but sadness and loss. It is the little things like this silly backpack rack that keep my chin up and my feet moving forward.

Everything else (mom’s cancer, this move, some relationships, new neighbours) I can’t put into an “organized box”!

Thank God for God. I’m holding tightly my Lord!

Boys, cancer, Family

Be Playing Living Room Frisbee.

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We enjoyed a wonderful hour with Nana and Papa today. Nana has started to eat and drink a bit. Papa enjoyed an afternoon with M working in the garden.

The big boys made a love message in a bottle for Nana. They were so excited to give them to her.

JC enjoyed showing Nana his schoolwork.

OC loved making his cow noises and laughing for Nana.

CC was very gentle and focused while playing living room frisbee with Nana. It was especially sweet when CC said to Nana, “Good one Nan!”

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