It's late and I am sitting here with a heavy heart. As some of you well know, I have been in recovery for over 4 years now. I have and am still sharing my experiences of life in general here on this blog. Things that I feel someone out there may be able to relate to and come to understand that someone else is or has experienced that exact same thing you are facing now. So, this post is no different from the others, a look into something that has happened in some one's life and I feel a strong need to share about it with those of you that will allow me to do so.
First, I would like to look at what the word recovery means. The dictionary defines recovery as restoration to a former or better condition; change for the better; regaining or saving something lost. This word can mean something different for each of us, but I feel we have all experienced some type of recovery during our life. For me, at this time of my life, my recovery is from the disease of addiction. For you or someone else it may be addiction, an illness, an accident, and so on. But for this post, recovery has a whole other meaning.
Cancer is a word that for many of us has become all to common. I wanted to do my research before I started this post, but there are so many that have, have had, or have died from this deadly disease. It doesn't care who it infects. It doesn't care about race, gender, young, old or where it is you may live. Most of us don't like hearing the word and most of us have or have had someone close, family, friend that has some form or died from some type of cancer. There is so much information on this disease, that it would take years to understand just a small part of it. I do encourage you all to check out the American Cancer Society website: www.cancer.org. That is the place to go to find out anything that you would like to know, so much information that I could not break it down enough in layman's terms to put it all into this post.
That is why I put the website link. Me personally I have had many family members that have passed due to this disease. But with this disease, as well as diseases like addiction, diabetes, and so on we have to learn what we can about our disease in order to understand it more and to be able to be "okay" just for a day. No one said anything in life worth having was free, you must work at all that you do in your life to have the fulfilment of living.
I am sure that most of you have heard and know what leukemia is and how it attacks the body. And for those who don't, hopefully after you read this post you will understand:
LEUKEMIA - a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of the bones, where blood cells are produced. The term 'leukemia' means 'white blood'. White blood cells (leukocytes) are used by the body to fight infections and other foreign substances. It can strike anyone at anytime. So now that we know what leukemia is and how recovery can be different, I want to share this experience with you. (And no, thankfully, I do not have leukemia)
I want to tell this so that you understand that this person had nothing to do with this post. They don't want this to be about them, but about what others can do in the fight against cancer.. So, please be understanding as to the message in this post. No names will be used, though some may know who inspired me so. I want this post to enable hope, happiness. love, courage, grief, and so many other emotions I can't list them all. There are things that those of us who do not have this disease can do to help. One of those things is to be tested to be placed on the world wide "Be The Match" program that matches up people with some type of blood cancer to a person that is healthy willing to give unselfishly of themselves if the time should ever arise.
A little over a month ago a friend of mine posted some very troubling news on a social media website. My heart ached for this family. This child, who is only 20 and just got married a short time ago, had been told they have leukemia. Cancer, I hate that word. No way could I ever understand how they and their family were feeling. How can a mother handle being told that their child has a disease that is going to alter the course of that child's life forever? How does a young newlywed couple look to their future? And how would the community they live in be able to lift up this family, support them in this time of need? And that answer is because they live in a small town! Hopefully, by the end of this post these questions and maybe others that you are thinking of will be answered. That you will see that things that need to be done can get done one way or the other.
So, as most things do in a small town, word ran rapidly throughout the community about this family. Many of us, me included, could not find words to describe the feelings and emotions running through our heads. This young person was so full of life, giving of themself and asking nothing in return. On this journey they, the person and their family, have had several bumps in the road. From learning of the leukemia, having to attack it very aggressively, cutting hair before it begins to fall out due to the chemo treatments, buying hats, scarfs and wigs for when that time came, the hair loss would be just another day at the office, so to speak. To trying to eat when so sick to their stomachs eating was truly the last thing on their minds. To going back and forth to this doctor and this treatment and blood work. Having to find a way to pay for what insurance doesn't cover, time off from work, being away from home. So many things, I can only touch the surface.
But this young person, young couple, their families, friends and community had something more powerful than anything else, that is love and faith in God. This small town has banded together to help see that this couple, family has what they need to help them on this journey. This young person has been very accepting as road blocks popped up one after another. Never losing fight and always with a smile "God's got this mom". No matter the struggle they show up do what they have to and move on to the next day. And never one time doubting the love for one another and God. Their small town had faced trials and fights with others and just as they had done in the past, today they do it again. And I can assure you that we will do it in the future.
Now,as I have stated, some of you may know the young person that inspired me to do this post and some may not. Those that don't, maybe it is someone in your very own community or town like ours. And please understand that I totally understand and am aware that there are other towns, cities, communities that have, do and will do the same if ever asked. This small town is not unique by any means, though we all think that way of our own 'small town'.
As I bring this post to it's end I feel I must share just a bit more and please forgive me for it is only to show that hope, love, and most of all having faith in God that I include this last little bit.
A "Be The Match - Bone Marrow Drive" was held. Normally only about 35 people step up to be put on the National Bone Marrow Registry at an event such as this. There were 62 people at this event who came to be placed on this registry. Want to be placed on that registry for someone that you may one day "Be The Match" for? First, you must be between the age of 18 to 44. Next there may be a facility in your area that can do this, if there is not a facility or a drive taking place in your area, go to the website: www.bethematch.org. There you will find the information needed and they will mail you a swab kit in the mail. All it takes is to swab with the cotton tip swabs they will send you and you send them back. It is that painless. You can find on the website instructions on what and how to do. I encourage all that can, please register with Be The Match.
Not only did the event bring 62 people to the registry, the young person shared wonderful news with all the supporters and prayer warriors that have been with them since they first found out that they had leukemia.
On their last trip to the hospital, they were told that there were only 10 people, and this was including the international registry, that appeared to be the match. This list dwindled as the days went by to 3 people. There was one, a 32-33 year old young gentleman in Europe. That was all the information they were given. Then, according to the young patient, they received a phone call the evening before the Bone Marrow Drive took place. They waited to share with their mother first at the event. Their mother told them they needed to make an announcement. Still not wanting more of the focus on them instead of the disease, their mother finally told them that their prayer warriors, friends and family needed to hear it from them.
The DJ asked to have everyone's attention and the he proceeded to say "As most of you know, we are here today to raise awareness of cancer, have those that can be added to the bone marrow registry and to raise donations. Some of you know that this person has been told that there is a 32-33 year old young gentlemen in Europe that is a possible match. Well, they just informed me to share this with y'all, he is a match, and not just any match but the 'perfect' match! He has been through more testing and they have confirmed and informed the family. What information we have on this young man will be all that we will know for at least two years. The registry does not allow contact between the patient and their match and it can only be if both parties agree. Ones with the National registry have to wait one year and the International registry have to wait at least two years."
Now I was there for all of this and let me tell you, you could feel the emotion of everyone present. We all clapped, shouted out "Amen", "Praise God", "Thank you Lord", and other such comments. And of course, there wasn't a dry eye in the place! What a way to have the folks that have supported, prayed and done so much for you and your family to share in the blessing God's grace has given them!
Just one last small note. I had almost all of this already written before the Bone Marrow Drive took place. Something inside of me just would not allow me to be happy with the different ways I tried to close it. So, I decided that there must be a reason God is not giving me anymore words on this piece. Okay, there you go, the exact thought that just went through your head went through mine when I heard the news of a 'PERFECT MATCH', God always shows us the way if we are only willing to look for it.
No, I don't do post that I am not in some way connected. And they are surely not a way to give praise on, of, or to myself. They are, however, done with the intent and hope that someone can find comfort, relief or whatever it is they need to find in the words, emotions, and all of that which is the post. God is loving and by His grace am I able to do these post. I offer thanks to the young person and their mother for allowing me to be a part of' their journey.
Thank you and may God continue to bless you and yours...
Now,as I have stated, some of you may know the young person that inspired me to do this post and some may not. Those that don't, maybe it is someone in your very own community or town like ours. And please understand that I totally understand and am aware that there are other towns, cities, communities that have, do and will do the same if ever asked. This small town is not unique by any means, though we all think that way of our own 'small town'.
As I bring this post to it's end I feel I must share just a bit more and please forgive me for it is only to show that hope, love, and most of all having faith in God that I include this last little bit.
A "Be The Match - Bone Marrow Drive" was held. Normally only about 35 people step up to be put on the National Bone Marrow Registry at an event such as this. There were 62 people at this event who came to be placed on this registry. Want to be placed on that registry for someone that you may one day "Be The Match" for? First, you must be between the age of 18 to 44. Next there may be a facility in your area that can do this, if there is not a facility or a drive taking place in your area, go to the website: www.bethematch.org. There you will find the information needed and they will mail you a swab kit in the mail. All it takes is to swab with the cotton tip swabs they will send you and you send them back. It is that painless. You can find on the website instructions on what and how to do. I encourage all that can, please register with Be The Match.
Not only did the event bring 62 people to the registry, the young person shared wonderful news with all the supporters and prayer warriors that have been with them since they first found out that they had leukemia.
On their last trip to the hospital, they were told that there were only 10 people, and this was including the international registry, that appeared to be the match. This list dwindled as the days went by to 3 people. There was one, a 32-33 year old young gentleman in Europe. That was all the information they were given. Then, according to the young patient, they received a phone call the evening before the Bone Marrow Drive took place. They waited to share with their mother first at the event. Their mother told them they needed to make an announcement. Still not wanting more of the focus on them instead of the disease, their mother finally told them that their prayer warriors, friends and family needed to hear it from them.
The DJ asked to have everyone's attention and the he proceeded to say "As most of you know, we are here today to raise awareness of cancer, have those that can be added to the bone marrow registry and to raise donations. Some of you know that this person has been told that there is a 32-33 year old young gentlemen in Europe that is a possible match. Well, they just informed me to share this with y'all, he is a match, and not just any match but the 'perfect' match! He has been through more testing and they have confirmed and informed the family. What information we have on this young man will be all that we will know for at least two years. The registry does not allow contact between the patient and their match and it can only be if both parties agree. Ones with the National registry have to wait one year and the International registry have to wait at least two years."
Now I was there for all of this and let me tell you, you could feel the emotion of everyone present. We all clapped, shouted out "Amen", "Praise God", "Thank you Lord", and other such comments. And of course, there wasn't a dry eye in the place! What a way to have the folks that have supported, prayed and done so much for you and your family to share in the blessing God's grace has given them!
Just one last small note. I had almost all of this already written before the Bone Marrow Drive took place. Something inside of me just would not allow me to be happy with the different ways I tried to close it. So, I decided that there must be a reason God is not giving me anymore words on this piece. Okay, there you go, the exact thought that just went through your head went through mine when I heard the news of a 'PERFECT MATCH', God always shows us the way if we are only willing to look for it.
No, I don't do post that I am not in some way connected. And they are surely not a way to give praise on, of, or to myself. They are, however, done with the intent and hope that someone can find comfort, relief or whatever it is they need to find in the words, emotions, and all of that which is the post. God is loving and by His grace am I able to do these post. I offer thanks to the young person and their mother for allowing me to be a part of' their journey.
Thank you and may God continue to bless you and yours...
