No matter how much of a planner you are, no one is ever ready for these words, “You have cancer.”

When Cancer Strikes

This year I had two different experiences, an aunt battling cancer announced in a WhatsApp family group chat that she had been suffering with cancer and woke up daily with intense pain. Her suffering was great. I gotta tell you, the news shocked me. I felt helpless. Yet there was urgency to pray because she was in another country.

A nurse, my aunt believe in science but her greatest belief was in divine healing. She prayed as did the family, but that wasn’t her story and she passed away after many many years of fighting. Rest in the arms of the Lord Aunty.

Another family member got news her mom had cancer, after her shoulder cracked. She got the news in an odd way because the doctor thought she already knew. Those words from the doctor were like a death sentence. I could tell from her tears, she felt overwhelmed, so much to do, where do I start? Are you ever so overwhelmed you can’t even ask questions? Thank goodness for people who could fill in when things seem like a big bowl of mental dough. Right in time, family came to her aid, to keep her spirits up. It was hard, scary even because no one is ever ready. Some of the things that she faced were as follows:

• Tests to take

• Finding a good support system

• Coming up with large sums of money to take the many tests so the doctors can know where it started and how it has progressed

• And time, time off from work to get everything done

• Change of diet for her mom, more money

• Getting everything on paper out of her head so she can help her mom

Yup it’s a lot. And no one is ever ready. The automatic financial obligation can be very scary with or without insurance.

Control what you can

As this month is cancer awareness my sister is selling wristbands at work to raise money for cancer research. That inspired me to raise money to donate to St Judes. Awareness is one thing but taking action to help spread hope is my goal. We can’t control some things in life but there are things we can do to make those going through the hard time not feel alone.

 

• Give money
• Give kind words of hope
• Write notes of affirmation
• Give them a call:   Listen & alleviate some of their fears and confusion

 

We are much more connected than we think. For one family member we left notes all over the house, so even in our absence, she could read notes of hope, and feel our presence with her. In turn she could find strength for her mom. I’m so thankful those words brought a smile to her face and joy to her heart.

For so many of us life is going on, for others, life has stopped by tragedy or news of impending doom. Let’s make an effort to connect. That’s the biggest lesson I got from my mama, and I’m sharing it with you. Call, text, FaceTime, pray for your family, send blessings of health to them.

For cancer awareness month, I’d like to call it, Cancer Action Month. I’m selling my book & my son’s book as a combo package. We will donate a portion of our sales to St. Judes. Can you help us?

 

Book sale here!

 

 

Ummm

You get the news, that kicks you in the stomach,

Takes your breath away,

Immediately tears flow uncontrollably

The C word has invaded your family bond

Questions, how, why, when is the end?

Swirls like a world wind in your head

It feels like your own death sentence

Except it’s your mom, or aunt or someone you never imagined life without

You are not ready

So you cry and cry and cry

Alone, in public, in the stillness of the night

It’s dark. But a hug from a sister

Prayer from friends

Support from the unlikeliest place

Faith for the impossible

Words of hope & help

Someone to ask questions at the doctor

Someone to get a plan in place

The village shows up

People connected and what seemed impossible before became possible.

The money, the treatment, the time, even life got an extension.

We fight for the ones we love, when we take action together.