| Getting a cancer diagnosis is probably one of the | | | | few things grounded me in that instance. First, my |
| most devastating things a person has to | | | | faith. Then, my love for my dad and his zest for |
| experience. I can only imagine what a person who | | | | life. |
| has heard the words, "You've got cancer." must | | | | I didn't flinch as I asked the physician, "So, what's |
| feel, but that doesn't mean I can't sympathize | | | | next?" He said, "Well, I believe I've removed all of |
| with the situation and tell you that I love you. | | | | it, and it doesn't look like it has spread. But, we |
| You read all of the time about people telling you | | | | won't know for sure until we receive the tests |
| how to cope with cancer and what your | | | | back from the lymph nodes we took in the |
| treatment options are, so I'm not going to do | | | | surrounding area. That could take up to a week." |
| that. What I am going to do is to tell you that | | | | Then, he reassured us Daddy was doing well |
| you are on my heart and on my mind, and I | | | | from surgery and was in recovery. |
| promise to say a prayer for you every day that | | | | I'm happy to say The Bull's story ends well. The |
| you will be strengthened by this journey you're | | | | cancer hadn't spread, and he would be fine. But |
| on. | | | | had his tummy not been bothering him, we |
| My father, Willie, was having some issues with his | | | | probably would have not known cancer was alive |
| stomach late last year. His doctors believed he | | | | and well inside his body until it was too late. |
| had some blockage in his intestines, so they | | | | I know everyone's story doesn't end like his. And |
| decided to do surgery to see what they could | | | | I didn't tell you that to make you feel bad if your |
| find. Well, they found something, and what they | | | | experience isn't looking like it will end well. What I |
| found was not promising. Daddy had a cancerous | | | | do want to offer you is hope. Hope and belief |
| tumor that was blocking his colon. | | | | that even if cancer costs you your life, that other |
| I remember vividly sitting in the waiting room | | | | good things may come from it like how |
| during his surgery and the doctor coming out, | | | | something like this pulls and welds families |
| stone-faced, and I stood to my feet. We were | | | | together. |
| expecting to hear that his surgery had gone well | | | | So, if you're living with cancer or experienced it |
| and the blockage had been removed. Dr. Ward | | | | the way I have, through a loved one, a diagnosis |
| looked us squarely in the eyes and said, "We've | | | | doesn't have to be the end. Everything happens |
| found cancer." My stepmother immediately | | | | for a reason. Whatever season you're in with this |
| started crying, but not me. | | | | disease, please know that my heart goes out to |
| If there is one thing I know, I know that God is | | | | you. |
| able. And as if that weren't already enough, I | | | | And please also know that just as I ached for my |
| know my dad is a trooper. I instantly thought that | | | | father's well-being, I ache for yours. My prayer is |
| if anyone could get the diagnosis and beat it, | | | | that a cure will be found to stave off this disease |
| surely, it was him. We affectionately call him "The | | | | once and for all. But until it is discovered, take |
| Bull" because of his rough and tough exterior, but | | | | heart that someone out there loves you and is |
| inside he's just a sweet little pony. (smile) | | | | praying on your behalf. May God bless you and |
| I can't say that my heart didn't skip a beat when | | | | your family as you navigate the rough waters of |
| the doctor told us the news, but I can tell you a | | | | a cancer diagnosis. I love you. Take care. |