One year later...

Well it seems like forever ago since I posted this....and in some ways it feels like just yesterday.

It was one year ago today that I got a call from my mom telling me that a neurologist found tumors on my dads spine and he was "having surgery tomorrow!" I was numb. Tumors? What kind of tumors? Does that mean cancer? What does that mean?

I left work immediately and headed for Mercy Hospital, it was a 20 minute drive that felt like days. The next 24 hours were a whirlwind. We were all in a fog. He was in surgery almost 24 hours after they found the tumors, and he was in surgery for like 10 hours or something ridiculous.

I can't remember how many people were there over those first few days. People brought food, gifts, cookies, tissues, water, cards, balloons, flowers....it was an outpouring of love and support. I know that Katie and Lisa sat with mom, Damon, and me until 11:30 PM when the surgeon walked out. It was a long day, but he was out of surgery. We got to see him about 1 AM, and he was groggy, of course, but we asked him if he could move his legs and we saw his toes wiggle. What a blessing! With surgery of the spine the fear of paralysis is there. And the doctors don't lie they tell you what risks there are....scary risks. Risks that you can't fathom.

The tumors were cancerous, and the treatment began, and still continues today.

We've heard that God allows you to experience trials so others can be a light to you. So they can step up and bless others. I don't know if I fully "got that" until our family went through this. Mom and dad are known for being a blessing to others, they always have been, this time people blessed them. God blessed them.

Dad still has good days, and bad days. This year has been challenging to say the least. But God is good. He's been there. He's loved and cared for them. He's blessed them with people to nurture them, and support them. He is good, all the time! God is good.