Friday, April 24, 2009

Whining???



I saw the oncology PA today about my port. The situation has not resolved and if anything the redness has spread a bit. I came out of the appointment with a prescription for Cipro. The PA said that it looks as though it wants to develop a bit of cellulitis. Obviously we can't have that since the port line pretty much goes to my heart.

I'm sure that I will be better in a few days. At the moment, however, I am not sleeping well. The port site is quite painful even still and is really interfering with my ability to get the proper amount of rest.

Enough of my complaining about trivial matters though. I have two specific prayer requests. It has been a tough week for several of the people in my life.

One of my "imaginary friends" is having a very hard time. This is the family whose house burned the first of this year, had a child rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy and then lost their dog, all within a period of a few days. This time they have been dealt a crushing blow. One of their beautiful daughters has been diagnosed with a tumor in the pituitary part of her brain. Please pray for this entire family. I don't think they would mind if I shared that their daughter's name is Autumn.

Also this week, one of my neighbors learned that the dad's cancer has metastasized to his lungs. They are understandably shocked and grieved. Would you please include Dennis and his family in your prayers as well? Some weeks really put life in perspective.

One of our daughters from China faces obstacles unknown to most children. Although facing some very real medical, neurological, developmental and genetic issues, Aubri has an inner beauty which is immediately obvious.

When she was offered to us, we jumped at the chance to make her a member of our family. We adopted her at 17 months and think she hung the moon. She has been a joy and blessing in our lives. Because she has been such a joy I sometimes forget what a huge challenge life is to Aubri.

The other day I watched Aubri cut up her waffle at brunch. I watched as she put her entire concentration into her task. I watched as she leaned closer over the table to better see what it was she was actually accomplishing. I watched as she summoned all her available strength in her fingers and hands. I watched as she used her swollen arthritic joints. I watched as she summoned all the manual dexterity she has managed to find over the past 7 years thanks to intensive Occupational Therapy.

Cutting a waffle; a simple task for the majority of us, for Aubri a major milestone. Every once and a while it really hits me just how difficult life is for her. The things which we do repetitiously and think nothing of, are tremendous hurdles to her. This child's courage in facing the everyday of which we think nothing, puts me to shame. Okay, my port hurts. In a few days it'll be better and I can go back to unimpeded sleep, and relative comfort. When does Aubri get to do that?

Oh God, please forgive me for whining. I have such a great life and I don't thank you near often enough for all that you have done for me.

I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.
Psalms 86:12

5 comments:

LindaJean said...

Hey Cindy... I had to comment even before I finished reading your post. My little girl had a pit tumor... a craniopharyngioma. I don't know what kind of tumor your friend's daughter has, but you may give her my email, as I have navigated these waters. That was 11 years ago, and our baby brain tumor girl just turned 12. If it is indeed the same kind of tumor, I do know a support group and maybe can even answer some questions for her.

Anonymous said...

There is a big difference between wallowing in your troubles and taking understandable and even needed moments to acknowledge when you don't feel well and mourn what used to be. Praying for you to feel better physically and emotionally but don't add beating yourself up for a few weak moments to everything else you are dealing with. - Julie

Anonymous said...

I just came upon your journal from the HFS list. Bless you and thank yo for the reminders I needed to hear. I am praying for you and your family.

Dee

Anonymous said...

I love you, Cindy, and pray for you often. I'm wishing you a wonderful Mother's Day!! Thank you so much for sharing all of this.

Laura E.

Laura Temple said...

Hi Cindy! I'm so glad to hear you are doing so well during such a trial. Your faith inspires me! I think I may know who your friend is, but as I am not sure, just let her know I had a pituitary tumor for 7 years. God worked many miracles through that circumstance!

Anna-Paraskeva

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