We all have trials. You know how, when you come to the end of a difficult experience, you're cautious at first, not quite sure how to dive back into life; you hope that things might be easy for awhile. You tentatively start to breathe again... then it becomes easier and you start to think, whew! I'm so glad that's over. Then you start to relax and move forward with a little more confidence -- and hopefully a little more wisdom too.
Does that ever happen to you?
That happens to me. I'm a sucker for hope and optimism -- which is always easier when you're past a rough patch, but possible in the bad times too. I've been through some tough times and now I embrace the boring, uneventful, "regular" times. I've learned to enjoy the easier times and to be grateful for the somewhat carefree days. You know, The Easy Road.
When Hutton was diagnosed with his cancer just weeks after I'd finished my own chemo, I learned that sometimes the bumps in the road come close together. It feels like too close sometimes.
Hutton finished his chemo a few months ago, and I found myself hoping for smooth sailing. Lots of smooth sailing. But, it seems that, recently, we've hit another bump in the road.
About three weeks ago, Walker was diagnosed with a condition that requires brain surgery. After a week or so of hoping that those particular doctors had made a mistake, we met with a neurosurgeon who confirmed the diagnosis. His particular issue is somewhat complicated, but... it's fixable. Walker is going in tomorrow, Friday, for surgery.
Brain surgery! Ridiculous, right? I can still hardly believe it.
Someone once said some profound words to me:
You can do hard things.
I find myself repeating those words to myself often these days -- and saying them to my kids. And, you know what? It's true. We can do hard things.
I have been amazed by my kids...especially Walker. All of the kids have been optimistic, hopeful, extra kind and aware. But Walker...he's really something. He has been calm and positive. I'm sure all of this is a lot to deal with, to process. But, he asks thoughtful questions, considers the answers, then moves on...with gentle reminders to me that "I'm fine, Mom".
Since most of my readers are my family and close friends, I thought this blog might be the easiest way to keep you all informed as to how Walker is doing.
Never did I think I'd be back in this place. The place where I'm keeping people updated on the health of my child. But... here I am.
Won't you please do what you always do? Will you send up your happy thoughts and prayers for my boy?
It's all going to be fine. I just know it. But extra good vibes and lots of prayers can only help.
Bumps in the road are tough, but, if there's one thing I've learned in the last few years, it's that even the bumpiest roads can lead you to a happy place.