celebration

Monday, March 1, 2010 was one of the hardest and worst days of my life.

That night I received a text message from my dad telling me that he needed me to call him. I texted him back saying that I was in a friend's room watching Grey's Anatomy and that it wouldn't end until late and that I would call him tomorrow after my morning classes. He texted back saying very sternly that he needed to talk to me tonight.

This scared me. He never usually acts like that. Usually when I tell him that I will call him tomorrow he responds with a nice "Okay. Good night. I love you." But with that response I could tell something was really wrong. I quickly left my friend's room and called him as soon as I got back to mine. I would have called him on the way, but was too nervous about what my reaction would be to whatever he was going to say and wanted to be in the safety and privacy of my own room. (Luckily my roommate was no where to be found)

I dialed my dad's cell number and my heart was pounding as the phone rang. I had no idea what he was going to say. Truthfully, I don't remember what the first couple of lines said to each other were. I was too focused on what was so urgent.

He then said it: Aunt Suzy has a brain tumor.

WHAT?!

I couldn't believe him. I didn't want to believe him.

I started crying instantly. And my dad held it together for a while, but then soon we were both sobbing to each other over the phone. I kept thinking to myself there is no way this could be true. There is no way this could be happening to me; not even to me, but to her and my family.

Well that is the sad part of the story. And now onto the more encouraging part! (You always need one of those)

From the very mouth of my amazing Uncle Barry on the
family blog about Aunt Suzy's recovery journey,

Tomorrow [which is actually today for this post] is a very important day. 

30 days of radiation - completed. 

42 days of chemotherapy - completed.

 6 weeks over! 

Time for a giant party!!

So today was the day! The first milestone! Woohoo! Certainly a time for celebration!

Aunt Suzy has been one of the greatest people in my life that God has ever blessed me with. I'm not sure if she know's this, but I give her (and God, of course!) the credit for me coming to know and love Jesus. And I know for a fact that I am not the only one who has this claim to fame. She has shared her faith with people like no one else I have ever seen. For goodness sake, she was even sharing God's love to the doctors and nurses that are treating her right now.

Ever since I was little I was able to see God's love shine through her in everything that she did. She is truly an amazing women of God.

This is Aunt Suzy and me punting down the Cherwell River in England last summer!

I love you Aunt Suzy and the whole Gaeddert clan over there in England. Can't wait to see you all soon!