If you don't know my mom, her name is Julie. She is a clinical pharmacist at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood, Minnesota. She has worked there for 36+ years. To say she is extremely smart is an understatement. When we were growing up, dinner table conversations consisted of the most detailed conversations about drug therapies, pharmaceutical care etc., with my dad who is also a pharmacist (any of the three of us kids can speak pharmacist like a pro). However, all the book smarts in the world can't hide one of my mom's most endearing qualities, her ability to make us all die laughing by saying some of the most ridiculously silly comments. I find myself shaking my head and thinking, "Really, mom?" close to as many times as I am amazed by her intelligence and ability to soak up new information about her field continuously. She is just plain funny. My mom is the hardest worker you'll find. Sometimes you just might not find her because she is still working. But again, it's all part of what makes me admire her so much. She is as kind and caring as they come. Always willing to give up her wants and needs to put someone else's first. My mom likes to read, garden, watch HGTV, and browse through gift shops. She loves to travel and spend time with our family.
My mom has breast cancer. It's been three months and it's still hard to believe. The first two months were the toughest two months of my life to date. I spent my days in a war against my tears, sometimes I would fight and sometimes I would let them win. There wasn't a minute when the fact that she was sick left my head, not one split second. It didn't help that we ran into every roadblock possible trying to figure out the best treatment plan for her. It was unbelievably consuming for all of us. What if we aren't being aggressive enough? What if we are being too aggressive? What if she doesn't respond? The "what ifs" were a new feeling for me and my siblings. Growing up our parents always had the answers to any medical scenario that came up. This time it was different. After going to St. John's, the U of M, and the Mayo Clinic we finally came to a consensus among the doctors and treatment was set to begin.
Again, it's so hard to describe my feelings. I was overwhelmed to say the least. Cancer wasn't only invading my mom's body, but it was invading mine. I was letting it get the best of my mind, my emotions, my soul. That is until I decided to wage my own war. You know, it used to be so hard for me to believe that I could personally make a difference. I am only in the first battle of my war against breast cancer, but I already feel like I've won to a certain extent. Myself, my brother, and three of my best friends have raised almost $3,000 already for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. Making the decision to walk 60-miles in 3 days to raise money, awareness, and most importantly my mom's spirits was the best thing I could think of to help my mom and my family through this difficult time. And it's working.
I said before that I was overwhelmed. I've never been so overwhelmed in my life. But the overwhelming feeling that the cancer has brought is being matched by the overwhelming feeling of love and support from you guys, our family and friends. It's incredible really. There's not a day that goes by that my mom doesn't receive a card, flowers, a visit, a phone call, or most importantly prayers. I can't tell you how excited and amazed she is by all of your donations so far. I love telling her about all of them, her face lights up and I can see it giving her strength. It has given us all strength. I feel like Superwoman these days.
I could write forever on here on how amazed I am with everyone's generosity. We have been given generous donations to the extreme by our best friends and family. I have seen donations come through from people I haven't seen or talked to in years, high school friends, from old friends from Harvey's (the college bar I worked at), co-workers, cancer survivors, the list goes on.
I have to share one incredible story with you though from this past weekend. I received a Facebook message from a viewer in the Northland that I didn't know (I used to be a Sports Anchor/Reporter in the Northland) saying hello. I responded, thanking him for the message and explaining that I would be in Duluth over the weekend to stop by Denny Anderson's (Duluth broadcasting legend) retirement party. I explained that I also hoped to get in a long walk on the Lake Walk. I arrived at the party on Saturday and was greeted by a woman giving me a white piece of paper, saying that her neighbor asked her to deliver this to me as he knew I would be at the party. So, Pam handed me the folded up paper and was on her way. I opened it up to find a note and a $100 dollar bill. It was Rick Holt, from Hermantown. The viewer that sent me the Facebook message a few days earlier. He saw on my profile about participating in the 3-Day for the Cure. Again, I sit wishing I could put the emotions I felt into words. But I can't. There's no describing how good it felt, again I found myself fighting my tears. But this time the tears were tears of joy, from an act of such pure kindness. Thank you, Rick. I truly felt touched by God on Saturday, and He used you to do His work.
As I go to bed tonight, our team has raised just short of $3,000 ($2,965), almost 25% of our goal. All the stories of each and every one of those donations leaves me feeling completely overwhelmed...in a great way. I wish I could describe the feeling. I am blown away.
Continued thoughts and prayers for you, your family and your team! It sure is amazing how He continues to show up in the most dire of situations.
ReplyDeleteLove ya, girl! (and the blog,too!)