About four months ago Faye, the daughter of a dear friend of mine, was diagnosed with a severe form of leukemia. A form that takes six months of chemotherapy-- with no real leave from the hospital. Every time four year old Faye even breaths in some wrong air- she can and has caught infections, that have her hanging on for dear life. Her hair is gone, she has a bucket labeled the bucket of comfort-- for how nauseous the chemo makes her, and she is regularly attached to IV's-- meaning shots. Can you imagine?! If you want to cry today, visit www.fayesfight.blogspot.com and scroll down to some of the videos on the site. Also while you are there please consider donating to her cause, as the costs associated with this type of leukemia are astronomical.
Will has not had to experience what Faye has to go through, but there are some similarities. Faye is hanging on for dear life and when the six months are over, Faye will have a 50 percent chance of this cancer returning. Initially Will had a pretty high possibility of having another stroke-- as the years pass this possibility decreases. Will and I were married only nine months after his stroke. When contemplating marrying him, at times I cried myself to sleep at night thinking I could lose him, the fear almost kept me for moving forward. I am so glad I let go of my fear.
Currently, Faye and her parents are fighting for their future financial stability, and a normal life for Faye. We are fighting for the same for Will. If people only knew how much Will walks around with the world on his shoulders. As government loans are unforgivable, we will be required to pay back Will's medical school bills, whether or not he returns to be a doctor. Three years after his stroke, Will is fighting for the ability to provide for Ben and I. Will is gone from 7 am to 9:30 pm Monday-Wed and then half the day on Thursday and Friday- attending school, volunteering at a lab and a free clinic. With post stroke experience under his belt we are hoping Will can someday return to a normal life/career.
I guess I am writing today to say: I know we are not the only ones who stand in the face of a very uncertain future. I know we are not the only ones who fear for their health and financial stability. So today if you are one of those people be glad you're not worse off. And if you're not one of those people lend a hand to someone who is, I imagine you won't have to look very far to find them. Lastly, don't let fear keep you from anything you want to do in this life. Your belief in a better day will set you free.
And this blog post would not be complete without pictures of our little Ben
Our cute little swimmer pants
Ben at the Dinasour Museum in Ogden
Ben and his friend Brody
1 comment:
The fundraiser looked like a big success. As always, love the post, gives me something to think about.
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