Mama Bear Upate | 6

"the Gospel [is].... a Father, a home, a feast and a complete freedom from our sin or our superiority

for hope and happiness.  

These wonders are drawn so beautifully."

d. shorey

A few updates followed by a few thoughts today.


- I added mom's contact information on the side bar so anyone looking to get in touch with her has a will and a way ;)


- Yesterday it was confirmed that cancer is not just in her lungs, liver and spine but also lymph nodes, chest cavity and skin (the bumps she was having biopsied turned out to be cancer, too.)  The cancer just needs to go away.  And seeing it on her skin almost makes me angry and want to punch it.  But I'd never punch mama bear ;)

- She's still throwing up everyday.  Pray that she can keep food down!  Food will obviously help her be strong with nutrients, but it's also just a simple joy to eat good food.  We all want her be hydrated, healthy, and strong to walk through the next months of treatment!


- We found a wedding dress together :D I was expecting to go to store after store for possibly even weeks.  But the last dress at the second store was "the one."  Mom loved it, my sisters loved it, and one of "our" songs came on in the store while I had it on ;) And just to brag about my mom for a second: not only did she shop with me while she was tired and weak, she was still nauseous and had to run out to throw up many time throughout the day.  I don't know how she did it.  Or how she does it.  She's so strong.  She always said she was "fine" when we asked.  I know how much she wanted to be there with me to find a gown and I want her to know how much it meant to me that she was.  I adore my mom.

Yesterday mom went have an IV drip (which helps her have enough water after all the nauseous-ness.)  We had a wonderful afternoon talking and laughing. Mama Bear even whipped out some subtle dance moves ;) She made a comment during our conversation that I'll never forget.  "It's strange how I am actually happier and have more hope now that I'm sick."  In the middle of showing mom my color-schemes for a master-bedroom, exchanging awkward stories, and thanking the "good nurse" Ginger for being so careful, my mom had so much she found wonderful.  In the Martha Stewart magazine: "Oh, these blues are beautiful. God did an amazing thing when he made color."  Getting her IV in: "I'm so glad you're my nurse, you're the best.  You put IV's in so well."  Talking about living in Florida: "On the days I can do things, I can't wait to... We won't be living here very long!" (Today we are going to the beach, aquarium and dinner at her favorite Clearwater restaurant.") On her dinner: "There is just nothing like a good tortilla chip with good salsa."  About her life: "To live is Christ, to die is gain.  I really only have good ahead of me.  It just gets better and better." On being cared for when sick: "Look at ALL these beautiful flowers I get to look at all day long! Dad got me those."  On all her texts and e-mails "One of the best parts of being sick is having people tell you that they are praying every single day. Every day! It's amazing." We feel like we are feasting these days.




She's incredible and one of these people: "How beautiful are the feet of those who publish peace, who brings good news of happiness, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns'."


And to end this post on the perfect (literal) note, Lauren just came walking into the room to get her swimsuit singing "Blessed be the name of the Lord! Blessed be your name! You give and take away! You give and take away! Blessed be the name of the Lord!"