About a week after coming home from our West Virginia trip for the Nelson family reunion, Grandma told us something was wrong: She had a mass on her ovary and needed to see a specialist. Mom and I took a flight out soon after the appointment was made without word we'd be arriving unannounced.
My Grandma loves oranges from Florida. The kind that are on the trees NOT the ones you buy in the store. So we packed some oranges and when we arrived late the night before her appointment we came in with the bag of oranges and said we just had to fly up to deliver them... perishable as they are.
The next morning we drove to the Gynecologic Oncologist in Pittsburgh who told us she had Ovarian cancer and would need surgery. She was scheduled to be admitted to the hospital that Sunday. On Sunday morning, Grandma, Pap, mom, myself, Aunt Shelli, Uncle Scott and Andrew all went to Grandma's small Presbyterian church service with her. In the middle of the service the pastor asked for prayer requests and/or praises and I was in awe and admiration that people began standing one by one to personally speak their requests. After a few had stood and made requests or praises, my Grandma stood up. She said nothing of herself. She said: "I am so thankful for all of my family who are with me here today". Then she sat down. That's Grandma. No prayer request for her hospital admission that day, ovarian cancer, or surgery... just gratefulness. Selflessness. Beautiful and complete faithfulness.
There aren't enough words to say how strong and faithful and beautiful Grandma is. The surgery is over and chemotherapy has begun. She doesn't talk about how difficult it is though... she laughs instead while explaining that the shoulder-length brown wig "just wasn't me". And then adds "but I'm sure it would look real cute on someone".
Although my inclination is to ask for your continued prayers... in honor of Grandma I have a praise instead: I praise God for my Grandma, our family, and His amazing love for us. We have felt His peace and grace through this journey and we are so grateful.
1 comment:
Okay...I need warning. Dear pregnant Patricia, don't read this at work, you will tear up. Blessings to you and your family. I will keep her in my prayers.
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