Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Prayer

Hi everyone,

I write today for prayer. I am completely aware that I may have a total of 4 blog readers (Hi Momma, David, Peeps and Annie) but for anyone else who peeks in every now and then and also for those who may read this in the future, your voice is needed now.

My dear, sweet, inspiring cousin Catie's Daddy, my Uncle Dave has been diagnosed with cancer. Rather than attempt an extremely poor medical translation of my limited knowledge regarding the situation, I have included an exerpt below from a recent email Catie sent to some of our girlfriends.


"My dad, mom, and I went to the doctor's today. He has metastatic cancer that has spread to his liver. The doctor does not know where the primary cancer is located. Other than the findings on his liver, the abdominal scan showed thickening of his sigmoid colon. He just had a normal colonoscopy less than a year ago, so we don't know for sure if the cancer is coming from his colon. His pancreas, spleen, kidneys did not show any abnormalities. His lung imaging is clear also. Our next step medical wise is more imaging and a liver biopsy. The doctor took a sample of his blood today to check for tumor markers. He will also have a sigmoidoscopy to look at his colon."

Uncle Dave is a burning star in a sometimes dreary world. He lives his life with a passion and appreciation that would inspire anyone to dream big, love big, give big, you name it. He loves his family like there is no tomorrow. His daughters, Catie and Cara adore him with every fiber of their being. He is the love of my Aunt Darlene's life. He is the rock. He is the anchor. He is the smile that everyone needs. His goodness, well, its just good...you can't help but feel it. He lives in the moment...he is a blessing to this world.

I ask you to pray for him right now. Pray that God would place a calm understanding over their whole family...pray for clarity. Pray for the doctors who will treat him. Pray that God would continue to reveal his grace through this time of diagnosis and treatment. Pray that their family would have the opportunity to smell the roses, laugh until it hurts, eat good food and listen to beautiful music during this time. Please pray for healing.

Today, I am so grateful that my dear friend Catie was born into this family. She is a beacon. She is strength...really and truly, she is love. She is traversing this situation with the most incredible outlook. Her faith in our God is inspiring. I pray that everyone would know such a person in their life.

Go out and be a light in our world today. Do not hesitate to serve someone who needs you. Do not miss the opportunity to express your love to those in your life. Enjoy each conversation, embrace a little longer. Take a moment to bask in your blessings. Live in the moment...Live in love. Give thanks for this day, for we are blessed.

Cheers,
Hope