Caregivers are Cancer Patients Heroes

   Sometimes, cancer patients get so wrapped up in our own journey, that we forget how hard it is on the people who care about us. I am going to use my mother as an example. She has been my rock, yet watching her daughter go through so much has to be the most awful thing in the world. To me, I would rather go through this myself than to have any of my three children ever go through it, both emotionally and physically. The toll it has to be taking on my mother is indescribable. 

   You see, I know where I am going one day. I know that day may be sooner than her, but with all the new drugs and treatments coming out, it may very well be later. But, I do know we are going to the very same place, home. That, in and of itself, is very comforting. The kids have a great father who loves them to no end and that gives me peace because it lets me know that my children will be taken care of. 

   Sometimes you don't think about these things when life is going well. But, when it takes a turn for the worse, it can consume you...especially if you don't have your faith and your support system. Lucky for me, I have both.

   I feel like right now, my mama needs prayers. I know my children, my husband, my brother, and my aunts and uncles all need prayer too. But, as a mother myself, I feel like it's different for her. Plus, so far this year, my mama lost her precious dog Charity to cancer (although she did get a new dog named Harmony)...but Charity was my mama's companion. And now, compile that on with the stress that her daughter has stage 3 lung cancer and it is a recipe for emotional disaster. Honestly, I do not know how she holds it together so well.

   I do know that she loves me more than anything, even when we fight. It is different now. Cancer has done some good for us. We communicate so much better now. And, we never take our time together for granted. We forgive each other easily.

   As much as cancer sucks, from now on, I am going to try and point out one positive thing it brought into my life by the Grace of God. And in this blog, that positive is the relationship I now have with my mom that I didn't have before. I am so blessed to be given such a loving, funny, and charismatic family. As a matter of fact, cancer has brought my brother and my aunt closer to me as well...even though we are physically far apart. So for that, cancer I thank you. 

   So the next time you pray, please pray for peace for my mama. I plan on being here for as long as God allows. I am going to be happy to be alive because every day that God gives me is truly a gift. Even the days where I do nothing but binge and watch TV with the kids or read a book...because I thoroughly enjoy those things...they are days in which I am still breathing life. I truly have had a great life so far. I have no regrets.

   And mom, if you are reading this, I couldn't have been the way I am in this fight without you being by my side through it all. I love you so much. Thank you just doesn't seem sufficient enough.

   Thank all of you for your continuous prayers and support. Please pray for all of the caregivers out there...I think this journey is just as hard on them as it is on us. 

  Proverbs 31:26-27 "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of the idleness."