Hi, folks, I just had a reality check here and thought it might be worth sharing.
We have a family here in the neighborhood: a mom and dad and 2 daughters. The mom is my sometimes-editor when I write for Smalltown News, a truly nice person to the bone, not like me at all, I may seem nice sometimes, but it's just because I'm trying hard. :) The dad is a middle school guidance counselor in a nearby small town; the older sister just qualified to go to our state's prestigious school of science and math. The school is a residential school for high school juniors and seniors near our state's capital. Competition is fierce for entry to this school, and graduation from it qualifies students for a total "free ride" at any of our state's fine universities. This older sister is Little One's favorite-est babysitter. She truly talks with Little One, teaches her new pieces on the piano, gives her true attention. Little One asks us to go out so she can have time with this older girl.
The younger sister is 14 years old and has been battling a brain tumor since she was 9. The courage, brightness and faith of this girl is phenomenal.
In years past, she has undergone surgeries and chemotherapy. Last year with all that traditional medicine had to offer, the tumor showed more growth so the family tried some unorthodox methods as well, altering their diets to exclude the common trace elements that are beneficial to us but are thought to feed tumors; and subscribing to other fringe ideas. This spring, the tumor again showed growth and the family, after all their hard work, was devestated.
They were fortunate to find a surgeon at Columbia who said he could radically remove much of the growth in her brain by way of two brain surgeries this summer. The family went to NY and settled in for the process. While the first surgery was considered successful, our friend developed a very painful case of shingles immediately afterward, so the family trekked back to the South to wait them out before the 2nd surgery could be scheduled.
Finally the shingles are gone and the 2nd surgery was effected earlier this week. Our friend has been in quite a bit of pain with her eye swollen shut and severe pain in her jaw. Today, they have diagnosed her with diabetes insipidus, which is a side-effect they were concerned might develop, but had hoped would not occur. Apparently it has the potential to be quite dangerous.
The older sister is scheduled to head for her premier boarding school within a few weeks.
We all love this family and cannot imagine how this is draining them financially, emotionally, and physically. Not a one of them, however, would complain. They all have their game faces and keep on keeping on.
I have to think back to the summer when I was fourteen. I learned tennis that summer -- I have never played well, but I really enjoyed hitting the ball and spent countless hours hitting the ball at nearby courts, against our carport wall, and back & forth with neighbors, in the street. Every now and then someone would yell, "Car!" and we would retreat to the side for a moment and then play again. Girlfriends and I would take their tandem and ride around town, miles from home, and return to lay in front of the new color TV and drink sodas.
It was a carefree and liberating summer, and such a contrast to the summer our young friend has had.
The old saying is trite but so true: When you think you have problems, just look around. There are folks 'way worse off than you.
If you'd like to say a prayer for our friend, her name is Quinn.
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