About 3 weeks ago, my sister-in-law Anna, from Arizona came to stay for a few days. It was so nice to have her around. She went with me to Children’s for Charlie’s chemo treatment. I was reminded of my first few times in Clinic 8. Some days your eyes immediately fill with pain and tears as you wait. Sometimes it just physically hurts your heart. This was one of those days.
Charlie was the brave little princess as usual. She barely flinched when they accessed her port. Her counts were good, so she had her Vinblastine and we were on our way.
I spoke with Dr. Watts about us moving and found out that the process of changing hospitals was MUCH easier than I had thought. I smiled inside as I scolded myself once again. Why do I worry so much about things when 99.9% of the time it proves to be unwarranted? He then said that we were free to take a little extension and come back in 5 weeks instead of 3. This is allowing us to enjoy some much needed rest and rejuvenation with family.
Everett flew to India a few days ago. Yes, India…not Indiana. 
This is his 18th trip and I am so glad he had the opportunity to go. God has a way of working things out just in time. In HIS time. I am spending time with my brother and his family in Northern Virginia while Everett is away. It’s been so nice to be with family and old friends from when we lived here. It just so happened the church we used to attend here was having a women’s conference called Quench this week. The theme was “It’s Time To Dance”. It was basically about dancing in the midst of trials and storms of life. So very fitting for what we have been through as of late.
They asked if I would tell Charlie’s story and then sing. I was so grateful to have the opportunity to share about her journey with LCH. I found myself talking more about what we have dealt with and how we get through, than actually explaining the disease itself. I think for those of you who have a child who fights each day against cancer and life threatening illness, or perhaps it is you that is in the fight of your life, “dealing” with it is the hardest part.
I read posts daily from people who have lost hope, are angry at the disease, and just wish they had the old “normal” back. A song that has been a favorite for years is This Too Shall Pass by Yolanda Adams. During the early days of Charlie’s diagnosis, I listened to it over and over to flood my mind with fact when my emotions wanted to run wild with all of the “what it’s?”. Today, I sang that song after sharing her journey so far.
Afterwards, several people talked with me about what they were going through, and Charlie’s story had encouraged them…given them hope.
Charlie baby, thank you for being to trusting in the Arms of your Heavenly Father, and showing the world what faith is. You lifted the load of people whom you may never meet. One day you will tell your story. I have a feeling God has incredible things in your future. You planted seeds of hope today in hearts watered with tears. God is amazing…never forget that! As mama was telling your story upstairs, you were placing your tiny hand on a paper that had one of your life scriptures on it. “I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made”. Psalm 139:14
To anyone reading this who feels like giving up, or thinks the situation you are in will never end, or there is no solution, please remember. YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made. The same God you made you, will sustain you.
