Memories...& The Cancer Recovery Foundation

Today I am at home again, after two busy days "out and about." I want to put a few things in writing before I can move forward.

On Monday, I met a mom with whom I have corresponded, but have never seen in person. She is the mother of two boys, one of whom passed away recently, after many months of treatment for cancer. We met at Katie's bench, and that first encounter lasted for two and a half hours. It was like greeting an old friend; we have walked a very similar path, as individuals and as mothers. We understood each other right away. The recommendation that we should meet came from mutual acquaintances, and I am thankful for it.

Monday was also the two-year anniversary of the day that we learned that Katie's cancer was back, and was going to kill her. July the 20th, 2007 was the day that Gregg, Katie & I went to Seattle Children's Hospital for a CT scan, trying to find the cause of the increasing back and leg pain that Katie was experiencing. The results showed a huge tumor in her abdomen, as well as tumor in her bones and liver. There was no medical treatment available to cure it. The end of the road, the end of our doctors' efforts to cure the illness, the end of our world, the end of our hopes for Katie to recover and live a full, long life; the end of our family of four, living & growing together. As the song says, "the end of the world, as we know it."

July 20, 2007 was also the beginning of the journey of acceptance. I'm still on that journey.

Yesterday, I met a lovely woman who was introduced to me (online) by another "cancer mom." This woman heard about Katie's Quilters, gathered a group and began to sew quilts, though we had never met in person. Yesterday, she brought a wonderful batch of quilts to the hospital, and gave them to the Hem-Onc ward. I was privileged to witness this "ripple effect," in which total strangers are moved - with love and caring - to bring comfort to people they've never met. Thank you, Mandy, and thank you, Jill, for introducing us!

Dear blogger Renee has written about the blessings she has received from the book called, "Cancer: 50 Essential Things to Do" by Greg Anderson. I recently bought a copy, because of Renee's writings about it. It's an excellent resource. The author was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given 30 days to live...about 25 years ago! He founded the Cancer Recovery Foundation, which spreads its message of hope and wellness around the world, and has written several other books, as well. Thank you, Renee, for posting about this book. Your writing is blessing many people who hadn't known about the book; now they are going to receive a message of hope!

If you are able, please visit Renee's blog and leave a message for her. Three of her close relatives are experiencing serious health crises - all at once - and with her loving heart, she has asked for prayers for them.