Almost a month ago, we got a phone call from Branson's mom. She was calling to tell us why she wouldn't be coming up to Utah as planned. Something had come up and she felt like she needed to stay in San Diego for a few more days.
She had a few tests done and found out (basically on her way out of town) that is was cancer.
You can imagine our shock - We felt totally blindsided. We didn't have any reason to suspect such a scary phone call. I cried. Branson and Blake stood strong - full of concern and love - but strong, nonetheless. And I couldn't keep the tears from pouring out.
I was scared. My mind kept racing, bouncing back and forth between the worst and best-case scenarios. What if...? And what if...? But what if...? Or what if...? (I too often let my imagination get the best of me.) There wasn't a lot of detail yet. She needed to make a few decisions and promised to keep us in the loop.
We prayed. A lot. Harder and longer than I can ever remember praying. Praying for a specific outcome. Praying for it to not be true. Praying for the bad dream to end. Praying for everything to turn out ok. But then our prayers changed: We prayed for peace. We prayed to know that everything would turn how how it should. We prayed for comfort - for us and for her.
And comfort is what we received. Everything is going to be fine. It doesn't take away the scary. It doesn't mean that it won't be hard. It just means that it's going to be ok. Whatever happens.
She had surgery a little over a week ago and everything went well. They removed everything and staged her at 2B/3A. Now there will be treatment schedules and everything that comes with that. But through the whole process, we have all had this unbelievable sense of peace. Everything is going to be alright. She is strong. She is a fighter. And everything is going to be fine. We know that God is watching and that things happen for a reason.
Our hearts have been in constant prayer. And our thoughts are with her every second. We love her and are grateful for her in our lives. She is the strongest woman we know. If anyone can beat it, she can.
And we know that everything is in God's hands. And that it will be alright.
And we keep praying to remember that.
8 comments:
I almost cried reading this. I am so sorry about the current condition that Shannon is in. Keep praying! Breast Cancer is beatable! I love you and pray for your family.
I'm still praying for you and your family, Shan. Love you.
It's funny how alike we really are. I still sometimes let my thoughts run away, but it's amazing the comfort that the Holy Ghost has brought me too. I'm so glad you are my sister, I couldn't have dreamed of someone better.
Oh, Shanna. I didn't even know! I'm so sorry - but at the same time, I know that you have been and will be comforted! We love you, and are praying for all of you!
Shannon is one of the strongest women I know and she will absolutely beat this. My heart broke when Kendyll told me the news. She has so many people praying for her and so many people who love her. She is lucky to have you as another daughter and we are all lucky to have you around... you are such a sweet peach! :)
She's such an awesome woman. I will miss her leading us (stake choir) during this next Stake Conference. She has the prayers of our YSA ward and the whole stake...as well as many loved ones. I really miss having her around the ward.
Your family will be in our prayers.
Cancer is so scary. We hope everything goes well!
Post a Comment