Updated Emily News

For any of you that are still out there, I thought this was worth breaking my sabbatical for. Here is what will hopefully be the last of the Emily updates. I will just post the email in its entirety.

This has been an update that I have been longing to write.

This journey which will continue on for the rest of our lives has been filled with so much humanity. We had ups and downs. We had vomit and cherry pancakes. Emily had weight loss and I had weight gain. All the while God watched closely as our story unfolded. He never stopped giving us hope and we certainly had many miracles.

Thursday, Emily had her PET scan. This scan detects cancer. The doctors were anxious to get the results. You see, Emily developed another sore on her tongue. Same spot as the cancer. It wouldn't heal and started hurting. Of course this happens when my husband has his family reunion at our house. Emily prepared herself for the worst and made a decision that caused tears. She sat down with the family and said She loved us. She wanted everyone to know how much we meant to her. She told us there are not enough "I love you's". She did not want her journey to end, but wanted Gods will more than her time here. She told us to trust.

We left for Joliet on Wednesday morning. We got to the doctor's office and waited to see him. He came in the room and looked at Emily's tongue. As soon as he saw it, he became concerned. He said that he suddenly realized why we had been so worried. He immediately pulled the other doctor out of a meeting she was in. She came down to look and suddenly became concerned. Then, they started feeling her sore and the doctor started smiling. She told us that it was most likely not cancer. She said that was the sight of the original tumor that was biopsied and that she started giving her tongue the highest dose of radiation you can give a person only 2 weeks after the biopsy. Because of this, the sore is not healing properly. She told Emily to continue to gargle with salt water and take salagen pills (which aid her salivary glands to start working more). If the sore doesn't heal by the next visit, then she has to do hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy. Then the doctor suggested she still has the PET scan to give them a more concrete answer. They agreed that it couldn't hurt and it will only give them more information to work with. The doctors clearly explained that the numbers of the PET scan results had to be below a 5 or else it was back to surgery for another biopsy.

Emily had the PET scan at 9am Thursday morning. She said it brought back the memories of radiation. She remembered what it felt like to lay still on the table and the funny smell of the machine. At least this time she wasn't being held down and her movement constricted by the mask or the popsicle stick with foam that always gagged her.

We drove home after the scan was over. The drive home was nerve wracking. Emily didn't feel very well and neither did I. On the drive home Emily started telling me that she wanted a sign from God. She had offered up all she could and trusted him with everything. She stayed strong for everyone. She just wanted to know he was there and listening. We ended up behind a cattle truck. The cattle was gone but the smell remained. Emily asked me to pass it or she would throw up, but I couldn't because it was one lane with a no pass zone. We had corn fields on both sides and a slow moving stinky truck with no where to go. Then God decided it was time to give us something Emily was asking for. A sign.

So here we are driving behind a stinky truck in the middle of cornfields and I started smelling Gardenias. (a very fragrant flower). I told Emily what I was smelling and she said "that's weird, I'm smelling them too." Our whole car started smelling like Gardenias. It was so strong that we couldn't smell anything else. It lasted for several minutes. We couldn't understand what it meant. I called my Mom immediately to tell her what was happening. She informed me that at that very moment, she was also smelling gardenias. She said in fact, every time she sits in her chair to pray for Emily to be healed, she smells gardenias. I hung up with her and the smell went away. The stinky truck turned so we only smelled air. God made sure we got stuck behind that stinky truck, so that when we smelled the gardenias we wouldn't miss it.

Emily received a phone call today at 10am from the doctor. She was spending the night at my mom's because her cousin was there. She told me that she was so scared because I wasn't there as she was getting the news, so she held her cousin's hand as she answered the phone. Her cousin told me how she was shaking as the Dr began to give her the results. The number for her PET scan came back 3. This means that it is not cancer and more than likely just inflammation. Hopefully with a little more time, the sore will heal up or else she will use the oxygen therapy.

Prior to Emily getting cancer she dreamed of her Grandpa, who died 10 years ago. He visited her in her dreams several nights before she was diagnosed. She even called her Grandma in Florida to tell her of the dreams. Here is where the story comes full circle. Today, August 10, is his birthday. He was there at the start and he was there for the end. He's always been there for his little Dolly. It truly is only a thin veil that separates us.

Tonight my tears are of happiness, relief, and awe of God. He loves us and He heard all our prayers. Yes Emily, He knows how hard you fought. For your family, friends, souls in purgatory and yourself. Well done my good and faithful daughter. Well done.

With all my love and gratefulness for your listening to my updates,
Theresa and Emily

Things That Bring Peace Part II

I didn't intend on giving this post this title, but it seems like it will serve the purpose well.

I came back from retreat this past week and I did so with much peace. Sorry to be repetitive, but if you've never gone on a silent retreat, especially the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, I would highly recommend doing so.

My retreat was very peaceful and fruitful. I'm hoping that many of the resolutions I made will bring about even more peace and fruitfulness.

One of the resolutions I made, at the advice of the retreat master during spiritual direction, was to go on a sabatical with my blog. So, as of this post, I will be totally off blogging (both reading and writing) until the 1st of September. At that point, I will reevaluate the situation and see if the things I needed to work on have improved and take a look at how I still feel about the whole blogging thing.

Don't get me wrong, here. This was a very big struggle for me, but I am now very much at peace with the decision. At the same time, I'm certainly not claiming to be some saint because I am doing this :) This blog has been both a good thing and a bad thing. My hope is to improve on the bad and be able to get back to it in some capacity, the good Lord willing, some time in the future. Until then, pray for me as I will pray for all of you.

Since I am turning the comments off, if you, for some reason, feel the need to get in touch with me, you can contact me through my website. Thank you for being such great readers and commenters. Hopefully we shall "meet" again!

Things That Bring Peace

This past weekend we had a chance to go camping and were fortunate to find a very nice, clean and friendly campground. While we were there, I was reading "My Imitation of Christ" and opened up to Book III, Chapter 23 "Four Things Which Bring Much Peace". The four things listed are:

1. Endeavor, My son, rather to do the will of another than thy own.
2. Ever choose rather to have less than more.
3. Always seek the lowest place and to be inferior to every one.
4. Always wish and pray that the will of God may be entirely fulfilled in thee.

If I might be so bold, I'd like to add that a fifth thing which brings peace, at least to our family, is spending time in the great outdoors, enjoying and marveling in God's beautiful creation.

Having fun as a family, enjoying the company of friends and, yes, even getting some exercise. I hope you've had time to get out into nature this summer! If not, hurry up while there's still some summer left :)

7 Quick Takes Friday Vol 31

Welcome to another week. Click on the header above for more Quick Takes.

1.

Usually on Monday afternoons I shut the door to the office in an attempt to work on my website and other internet-like stuff. The rule is that during those hours all children are to pretend like mom is NOT home; don't talk through the door at me about how your brother did this and that. It usually doesn't work, but it sounds like a good rule, doesn't it? Well, this past Monday, Ms 6yo knocks on the door and says, "Mom, can I show you my masterpiece?" Now, what kind of mother could say no to that. I responded, "Yes, you may." Ms. 6 yo said, "Really? Okay, let me go get it!" And here is her masterpiece for all the world to see!

2.

Emily update - Please continue your prayers for Emily. Her tongue is healing, however she still isn't gaining any weight. She goes in August for a PET scan which will, I think, help the oncologist determine how successful these past procedures were. Her mom relates that Emily had a dream the other night that her cancer came back and she got diabetes. Upon waking up, Emily looked at the crucifix and told Jesus "NO".

3.

I've been doing more planning over the last couple of days (finally) and I think I've realized that I can't do it all. If we tried to accomplish everything that I'd like to do, I don't think the school day would ever end. There's just so many fun and interesting things to learn! The fact that 6 of the 7 kids will be school age is also a bit overwhelming. I just might have to resort to a few more "already figured out" programs for some of the basic stuff.

4.

I received this in an email. Not sure where it came from, but it has some great advice for the Year of the Priest.

Please copy and paste this note into a new email and keep it moving around the world.

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In union with the will of the Church many people feel called to make this YEAR OF THE PRIESTS a year of intense PRAYER AND FASTING / SACRIFICE for our pastors and for all priest who have touched our lives in one way or another. Our priests are chosen by God but need encouragement to live holy lives of total surrender to the will of the Lord. We can help and encourage them with our prayerful and charitable support. For the remainder of the YEAR OF THE PRIESTS let us unite in prayer and fasting for our priests by:

1. Prayer: Attend an extra Mass each week offering it up for your priests.

2. Prayer: Say at least one extra decade of the rosary daily and end by reciting a special prayer for priest. Also watch for prayer opportunities at your parish.

3. Fasting: No snacking, desserts, carbonated, caffeinated or alcoholic beverages and/or make lots of little sacrifices for them throughout your day. (This is like a "super Lent. Pray to see what the Lord wants you to do in this area.)

4. Note: As a form of encouragement, send a note to your pastor informing him of your supporting prayer, sacrifice and fasting commitments.

5. Send this email to all your Catholic family and friends so that our priests are covered with prayer and sacrifice.

This can be a powered year for our priests and our church especially if we, as laity, support them with our prayers, sacrifices and sacrificial fasting.

5.

Here's a good one:

Su Wong marries Lee Wong. The next year, the Wongs have a new baby.
The nurse brings over a lovely, healthy, bouncy, but definitely a Caucasian, WHITE baby boy.

'Congratulations,' says the nurse to the new parents. 'Well Mr. Wong, what will you and Mrs. Wong name the baby?'
The puzzled father looks at his new baby boy and says, 'Well, two Wong's don't make a white, so I think we will name him...

Sum Ting Wong.

6.

Next week is retreat week so there will be silence from this end for a few days. Please pray for all of us women who will be participating in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, brought to us by the wonderful priests of Miles Christi.

7.

Raising Maidens of Virtue: A Study of Feminine Loveliness for Mothers and Daughters

I've had this book for the past year but am just picking it up now to read. So far, I love it. It is a book that is to be used by a mother and her daughter(s). Each week they cover a chapter and discuss it using questions and scripture verses at the end. Some of the chapter titles are "Taming the Tainted Tongue", "Dwelling in Unity" and "Knight in Shining Armor". I'm very excited about doing this with the girls!

Next Year, Ugh.

Well here it is the middle of July and my brain is finally beginning to let me think about the upcoming school year. Quite honestly it has been tough getting to this point and I'm not even really sure why. Usually by now I have the first half of the year planned and books purchased. Up until this past week, however, I haven't even been able to think about planning. Every time I tried it would be like running into a brick wall.

So as I begin thinking about next year, I began to dread one thing in particular. Maybe that's why I haven't been able to do anything yet. You know the subject I am talking about. Go on...say that four letter word.... MATH!

I have tried almost every math program under the sun to no avail. No matter what I try, my kids hate math. They dread math. They drag it out as long as they possibly can (which makes no sense to me). They cry, they wine...well that's enough, I'm sure you get the picture.

I really like the Life of Fred books. I have two that are supposed to be starting the Beginning Algebra books. I was looking forward to it, but they are not. I have two who will be doing the division book in Math U See. I think we'll have to brush up on our multiplication facts, first! I have one who will just be starting math, maybe I can do something different with her so that she enjoys it. Problem is, I'm not sure where I went wrong with the others! Ms 17 yo, well, we're not quite sure what we're going to do with her.

So there you have it, the reason why I've been stumped when it comes to even thinking about the upcoming school year, which should technically be starting next month *shivers uncontrollably*. I've asked for help before and people either commiserate with me (which is fine, but not very helpful) or suggest I play math games or bake things (all of which we do). The one suggestion I've gotten that I haven't implemented yet is bribery. I think I may just resort to that this year.

Any suggestions???

Organic vs Pesticide

Here is some fun for your Tuesday that I just couldn't pass up. In my opinion, it's better than the real movie!

More on Seeking an Abundant Life

It's funny how two people can read the same thing and think two different things. The unfortunate part is that I often forget that this happens.

Case in point, on Friday I put up this quote:
"Are you settling for survival or actively seeking an abundant life?"

I really found this to be quite inspirational and very profound. I mentioned it to a friend and she said that to her it sounded too materialistic. As soon as she said that, I saw her point. When I first heard it, however, that never even occurred to me. I can see how you could turn that quote into an excuse to go after all the material riches of this world so that you could live an abundant (material) life.

She asked me what I thought the quote meant by an abundant life, so I told her "JOY". What struck me was that a person could either go through each day just trudging along without having or seeking any joy in their lives or they could grab the proverbial bull by the horns and do something to bring joy into their lives.

It could mean changing their prayer life, it could mean seeking out a holy priest or new friends or really anything that would deepen their relationship with the Lord and thus, hopefully, bring more joy into their life. The key here being that material things can't bring that true joy that only the Lord can.

I guess I kind of look at it as the difference between a person who continues to wait, day in and day out, for the Lord to bring joy into their lives or a person who goes out to find the Lord and asks for that joy.

The first person might be waiting a long time and has the potential to fall into a very negative state of mind. The second person, I believe, will be rewarded for their seeking with the gift of grace and, at some point, will find the joy that their heart truly desires. To me, that is an abundant life.

So, that was my take on that quote and you heard my friend's take. Out of curiosity, what was yours?

PS Dear friend, lest you read this and get upset with me, I was not implying anything negative by your statements. You just made me see another side to this quote, so I thought I'd clarify my thoughts on it :)