The holidays approach. Reality checked me:
My cousin Julie (second cousin)has ovarian cancer. She is in her mid thirties and has a 5 year old little boy. Did I mention a husband who should be a God for his neverending love and devotion for her?
Not seeing her frequently I have kept up with her cancer treatments mostly by her Peach list updates which started by emails to family and friends. She is one of the MOST awesome women I have ever known. She is beautiful,intelligent, curvy and confident with dimples so deep! She is well written and has kept quite a diary of her trials and tribulations. On my page I have a couple of pictures of her cancer remission party I attended. Well remission lasted only a short time. Not wanting to bore you I invite you to read her emails from the start of her cancer recordings. They were eventually transferred onto a website built by her brother-in-law (don't quote my butt on that!)
So why do I invite you now to read about her? My mother passed away 25 years ago (in a couple of weeks-the day before my own birthday)at a young age. Because she has a son so young I understand somewhat what he will go thru in his life. This week I had the phone call from her Mother inviting me to Thanksgiving. Her mother 'adopted' myself and my kids as a sort of Grandma figure after the death of my Mom in 1982. When the call came from her Mother I could hear the shaking in her mother's voice... So I asked... The cancer has spread to her spine, lungs and liver. This has gone on for years now. Julie has had almost every internal organ removed or partially removed or scraped. She is stage 4. They are finally bringing in Hospice as the family is just overwhelmed and can no longer meet all of her needs themselves. She hasn't eaten solid foods since March of this year. I could go on and on... She has exhausted every treatment known that I am aware of. She just came home from 3 weeks more in the hospital. She has been fighting for years now. Several remissions...
So what can I do? Not much. She knows I love her. The frustration overwhelms me that I see it all happening again. This blog is written with love to let you all know that Thanksgiving is about being with those you love. Not just blood relatives but friends you consider family too! Be sure to let each of them know that you are glad they are there with you this year. Truly it ain't about the Pilgrims or Turkey!
This may be my last holiday with Julie. I pray differently. Our Thanksgiving is still in the air as to which house it will be at. Julie wants to try for the tradition of being at her Mom's but her health my cause us to hold the holiday at Julie's house because she may not be able to travel the short distance by then.
So if you have made it to the end of this blog I ask you for a big favor. It will take a few minutes of your time only. Please don't leave a comment on this blog. Instead please go to Julie's website and leave love. LOTS and LOTS of love. For her, her husband, her son, her Mom and Dad, her Aunt and Uncle, cousins... Tell your friends! I want to see her bombarded by bombers and friends showing support! You will have to register but it is not a site set up to have emails sent to you or anything. This is a site of love. A short note of support-nothing fancy but if you could note where you are from..city and state or country...
And if you are up for a good cry, laugh and reality check about what life is about read her peach updates (her emails put on the site finally all together)
If I could make a fancy bulletin I would. This is all I know how to do. Anyone want to make one with a link to this lady's page? LOL Frankly, if I get one person to her page I will be sooooo happy. She loved the internet and chose it for her recordings/emails/venting. I would love to have people send her love from the net.
Well now I am just rambling. I am tired tonight. Please see the link or URL below and take a couple of minutes to send her a comment, thought, love. Maybe she will find comfort in others happy thoughts? Thank you to anyone who made it to the end of this blog. Please pass the word to anyone and everyone for me.
To Julie-you are an inspiration and I love you. Nothing more needs to be said.
http://www.thepeachconqueror.com/index.php
