Thursday, March 12, 2009

IN A SPLIT SECOND...LIFE CAN CHANGE AS WE KNOW IT

My family is about to walk the road that I never ever wanted to walk again. I am talking about the cancer road. I walked that road with my mother 5 years ago. It was the most horrible, scary, exhausting, helpless time of my life. My father-in-law was diagnosed with Lymphoma yesterday. We are not sure what sort of beast we are dealing with right now. He must go through a bunch of tests to determine the location and what stage it is. Please, please pray for my father-in-law for the determination and energy and health to beat this evil beast. Please also pray for my husband, sister-in-laws and mother-in law who needs the energy and peace that the lord will see them through this. Please pray for me as well that I can put my anger and bitterness against this disease aside so that I can be a solid support system for all of them. I never ever wanted to walk down this path again.

My father also needs your prayers as he suffered a mini stroke yesterday. He is still in the hospital and are not too sure the extent of the damage. He went in for a routine Cardiac Catheterization to make sure that there weren't any blockages. 3 hours after the procedure he was having trouble with his eyesight and wasn't able to walk straight. We rushed him back to the hospital and he was admitted immediately. Please pray that the stroke did not cause permanent damage and that he is able to recover from this ordeal quickly.

So life in our home has been very hectic. As new parents we are trying our best to be strong for Halainah. But somehow I feel that she senses our worry and depression. She has been very clingy and is fighting sleep strongly.

To all family and friends that have left me messages, I promise to return them tomorrow or the next day depending on what tomorrow will bring. Thank you so much in advance for your prayers.

I am adding a few recent pics. of Halainah. Her beautiful smile and restless personality always brightens my day, hopefully she will do the same for you!











5 comments:

LivingSimply, SimplyLiving said...

Hi Dee,
I am so sorry to hear your dad had a mini stroke. I will be praying that he be restored to his old healthy self again with absolutely NO side effects from the stroke. Our Lord has the power to move mountains and when it comes to our dads we need to rest it at his feet that he will move these mountains!
There are times I can handle it OK and there are times I fall apart. Usually I fall apart when I am alone..I do not want the kids to see me that way. I am so physically and mentally drained..sometimes I feel incapable of caring for them...it doesn't help that LeeLee is under the weather..another sleepless night:(
I pray Lainey does not sense or know any more than she has to...I would never want her beautiful spirit to feel all this sadness. Much prayers for that.
We just lover her so much!
Seeing her cute pigtails, sure did bring a smile to my sleepy face.
With Much Love,
Annmarie

Natalie said...

Of course I will be praying for both your dad and Tony's dad. Cancer is a beast, a disease that I think most of us have had to deal with in one way or another in our lives. I am so very sorry for the loss you have already suffered and I will pray for good news for Tony's father. You never know what may happen. A friend of mine had a lymphoma scare with her husband and it ended up being MRSA. There are also forms that have a very high cure rate, like Hodgkins. As easy as it is for me to say and hard for you and Tony to do, please try not to get too consumed by distress until you know just what you are dealing with here. Many prayers for the best prognosis possible.

And for your father, too. My dad had a (mild?) stroke when I was just a little girl and he recovered just fine. The only lingering effects he has said he has is that sometimes his mind works a little faster than he can speak, but you would never know it. The fact that he got treatment so quickly is a good thing.

I feel awful for all that you and Tony are having to deal with right now, and I hope it is some comfort to know that you have friends out there that are keeping you and your family in their thoughts and prayers. I wish there was more I could do. I'm so glad you both have Halainah to cuddle and cheer you up during these difficult times.

Bonnie said...

I am so sorry to hear that your family is having to go through this. You all will definately be in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you and your family are going through scary times. You will be in my prayers.

On a happier note, Halainah certainly brightened my day with those pics...my GOODNESS she is cute!

Anonymous said...

Deanna: it's Aunt Ann. EVERYONE here has been down with a HORRIFIC VIRUS....we're here for you on any level and will be in touch with your Dad soon. Uncle Klaus got hit the worse. Tell Tony's Mom that she has a prayer partner in South Jersey.
Love you!