Prayers...

In April, 2010, when Andrew was 2 1/2, a tumor was discovered behind his eye. The tumor was removed, but it was found to be an aggressive cancer. He endured seven months of chemo and six weeks radiation. In December of 2010, the day after his last treatment, he was rushed to the ER with an almost fatal bacterial infection. He survived.

He is now seven-years-old!! I don't visit here much, because during the ordeal, this is where I dumped everything--my rage, my fear, my sadness, my ugly, my hope, my everything. But I want all of you who supported and prayed for us to hear his updates. You helped me survive, and I am deeply thankful. Every once in awhile, I will check in to let you know how he's doing. Please continue to pray that cancer will never return to his body. Thank you.



Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Virtual Coffee- March


Hello! It has been a while since I have joined you for coffee, so I am excited. 
If we were truly meeting for coffee I would invite you to this little bakery/coffee shop down the road.
The weather is beautiful today, and the shop is nearby, so I might even suggest that we walk.
They just finished decorating, their pastries are delicious,
and I love it.
I got myself a decaf coffee and a cherry turnover.
My favorite.

Here, pick something for yourself and sit down.

I saved you a seat.


If we were actually sitting down together I might tell you that
every day
 I inhale breaths of freedom and relief.
It is so nice to be able to spend time at home
or at the grocery store, or at my mom's house
instead of the clinic or hospital.

So nice.

As I look at my son and his sweet pink cheeks and soft hair,
I can fill my lungs and exhale,
all the way.

I will admit that I find fear there,
at the bottom of each breath,
but I am trying to set it aside.
I am trying to ignore the nagging worry
so that I can enjoy the days that are before me.

I find that I am usually successful.




Oops, I forgot about my little tag-a-long.


Andrew likes donuts
and ladybug cookies.
and chocolate milk.
If you brought your children to play,
he would love them too.

I am starting to think that I need to brush up on my Star Wars timeline and trivia. 
My lack of knowledge is starting to hamper conversations with my children.
"Yoda does this and that, but Anakin should have done blah blah blah."
I just nod or shrug my shoulders.
I am beginning to feel like we speak a different language.

We were officially late to school this morning. 
For the first time.
Stark reality of life:
It is hard to drive your car without keys.
And I could not find mine.
Anywhere.
And it is the only key we have for my car
and John was already gone for the day.
I finally found them in my coat pocket.
A coat that I never wear, except for yesterday,
of course.

How are you?

I feel like I am slowly emerging from a tunnel,
 opening my eyes, and learning to look at the world again.
I am almost shocked to hear all the bad news, 
as if  I had blocked it out for awhile in order to cope. 

I just finished reading, She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb this week. 
 I love his descriptions and his ability to tell a sad story with humor. 
If you haven't read it, I would recommend it. 
Have you read any good books lately? 

I look forward to hearing from you and joining you for coffee!

And in case you didn't know the definition for chocolate, here it is:


I hope you enjoy your Tuesday.

Join Amy and friends at:

<Photobucket

9 comments:

  1. That place looks so cute, and yummy! I'd go for a lady bug cookie too...

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  2. Julie- we do what we have to do to get by, so the bad news?, it's still there and i am happy to hear that you are able to start letting go a little bit. i absolutely love that book! i have read it twice over the years, it remains one of my most favorite books ever. i want to read Water For Elephants before the movie comes out. the movie looks soo good! thanks for coffee, super cute little bakery!

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  3. I'd have to go for a piece (or two) of that beautiful chocolate lovely on the second shelf from the top. And would Andrew mind if I ran my hand over that sweet, sweet peach-fuzzy head? =>

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  4. Oh Andrew has got to be one of the most beautiful little boys I have laid eyes on! Look at his hair. Scrumptious!

    I love having coffee with you!

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  5. Thanks for the "coffee"! I needed that... although I ordered a peppermint tea and then laboured for ages over the choice of baked goods. Elijah doesn't speak "Star Wars" language either, but he and Andrew still hit it off and had great fun playing together.

    I love Andrew's hair!!!

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  6. Hi Julie,
    Thanks so much for your kind comment on my blog and leading me here to yours. I love your warm and friendly post. I almost feel as if we really did have coffee together!

    And I'm so glad you and Andrew and your family are coming out of that long, dark tunnel and breathing some deep breaths. I do understand, a bit, about shadowy paths, as I have dealt with chronic illness myself for many years and my daughter had a near thyroid cancer when she was 11, resulting in 4 years of watchful waiting and ultimately, the removal of her thyroid gland. I also have some friends who have first hand experience with brain tumors in their children.

    I'm so grateful for the health your son has been given now, and will pray for this to continue and continue and continue...

    May the God of all peace strengthen you with His grace for all the seasons of your life.

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  7. I love that peach fuzz!!! And, the coffee shop looks really cute, except I could barely pry my eyes away from the dessert counter. :)
    I'm going to have to add that book to my list. Every one seems to be talking about One Thousand Gifts lately, too. Have you read that one yet?

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  8. Just read about Andrew's story...you will surely be in my prayers.

    Tiffany

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  9. Look at Andrew's hair...it is golden...no radiant...it is divine! I have never seen a more lovely head of hair....it is so heart warming to see!

    Kristina

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