As you read in my earlier post, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in November. Staying true to her faith and character, Mom faced her diagnosis with courage and grace and underwent a double mastectomy on Jan 4 of this year. January 4 had been looming over the Sharpe family for about a month as we knew what was ahead for Mom and our family. Quite frankly, the month of December was a complete blur to me. I spent most of the month numb and just doing what I had to do to maintain my job and responsibilities that life brings every day. December was full of doctor visits with Mom, processing the information that was being presented and trying not to allow fear to dominate my mind and emotions. I have never been so thankful for my precious family as I was during this past Holiday Season. We have always been close but God definitely used this diagnosis to knit us even closer together as a family and closer to Him.
Staying true to it's nature , time came and went as did January 4. Mom came through her surgery resoundingly well and welcomed recovery as her new normal. Despite Mom's tremendous progress during the first two weeks post surgery we did face a bump in the road. Mom's skin was not healing on her right side and if something was not done she could face infection and a longer road of reconstruction. Mom had a skin graft done on January 20 and once again handled the surgery like a champ! As of today, Mom is recovering nicely and taking each new day as it comes. The entire process for reconstruction will take anywhere from 9 months to a year. Thank you for all of the prayers for Mom. We, as a family, believe from the bottom of our hearts that it is your prayers that have carried us as a family and sustained Mom during such an emotional time in our lives.
As I have reflected over this bittersweet time, I have found one thing to be true: A grateful heart will bring about great things. Mom has demonstrated a spirit of gratitude throughout this entire process. It is hard for me, as her daughter, to wrap my mind around why my mother should be chosen to endure yet another cancer diaganosis and a surgery that will forever change her body. However, Mom's attitude was one that did not ask why but chose to be thankful for every good thing that was to come out of this situation. The following passage came to mind the week of her diagnosis and continues to penetrate my heart when clouds of doubt roll in:
"Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7
So many good things have resulted from one hard, challenging trial that God has placed in front of my mother.
1. Mom has a deeper faith and understanding of how God has protected her throughout this entire process. He has used this time to draw her even closer to Him. I really didn't know that was possilbe because if you knew my mom one word you may use to describe her would be saint.
2. From the outside looking in, my parents' relationship has been enriched and they have learned to love each other in a completely new way. My dad has been an incredible nurse and has definitely sacrificed a lot to be by my mother's side throughout this time. The sweetest thing is that he would not call it sacrifice.
3. Mom and Dad have been loved on by so many people. It is evident how much my mother is loved in her community and church family. The outpour of others' love has been breathtaking. Mom and Dad had a meal provided for them almost every night for the past month.
4. On a personal note and after much grace and time to process what the next steps of my life will be, I now know, with complete clarity, that I will be returning to patient care eventually. I am in the process of applying to graduate school for the Nurse Practioner program. I am very excited about this possiblity and am excited to see what God chooses to do with me.
It is with a grateful heart that I close today's post. Stay tuned....
