Relay for Life

Carli and Kelsie are walking during the night for Relay for Life. GCC is doing it, and their sorority is participating. Carli did NOT want to walk the survivor lap, as she said that many students don't know that she had lymphoma and she doesn't want to be the "girl with cancer". I thought that she would be proud to be a "survivor"...however, she said that she would like the word "conqueror" better. I think that I understand, but can I REALLY ever understand? She is walking with another girl from GCC (named Beth!) who is also a lymphoma survivor. I hope that it is meaningful for them to walk together. Beth helped Carli in many ways in dealing with things at school.

So, the next time you hear cancer "survivor", think of Carli as a "conqueror"!!!!

Tara has a job!

Tara is so excited about a job opportunity that she has been offered at the James Cancer Center in Columbus. Getting a job at the "James" is hard to do for a new grad, and she was fortunate to get an intership that offers classroom instruction as well as working with nurses in different areas of the cancer center. I feel that she will really be good in this area as she just finished up working on an oncology floor at Riverside Hospital and loved it. She doesn't start until August, so probably will work with Andrew until then. God is at work again, using her experience with Grandma and Carli to help others. Wow.

Kelsie is participating in Relay for Life at GCC with her sorority. If anyone is interested in donating, her email is gerberkj1@gcc.edu. These fundraisers sure are taking on new meaning for our family. She has her "gala" this weekend, kind of like a grown up prom. I hope that they have decent weather!

Carli is in Michigan with Jeremy as it is his 25th birthday TODAY! I'm sure that his parents are happy to see them and spend his quarter century anniversary together.

One Year Anniversary

I really have mixed emotions when I think back to a year ago. My first emotion is one of sadness and frustration for Carli, for time lost, for doubts, for pain, for scars, for questions, for fear of the unknown. I even grieve her hair loss, even though she looks adorable now.
Then my emotions turn to thankfulness and joy, that today she is whole and ready to take on the world. I should have written down every way that we have see God at work, and then I could battle the times when my initial emotions rule. As a friend put it, I am caught waiting for the "other shoe to drop". Even though I know that Jesus knows my heart and I can ask for my heart's desire, I know that His ways are not always mine. I continue to pray for wholeness for Carli-whole body, mind, and spirit. Please continue to pray with me.......
I feel that I can now help others who face cancer with friends and loved ones. I have had so many ask me what they can do for someone facing this horrible diagnosis, and I say a thankful prayer for each one of you who prayed, sent cards, cooked meals and visited Carli when I talk to them. Thanks for ministering to our family, and I hope that this will help us be Jesus here on Earth for others.
Our friends and family are amazing! Just had to say that once again....

It is amazing when I look back over the past year. It is such a blessing that we don't know the future...why anyone thinks that is a good idea is beyond me! If we would have known the path that we would have to take a year ago, I don't know how we would have handled it! All we really need to know is that God is in control, and none of this will matter in eternity. Eternity...I can't fathom.

I still marvel at Tara running a race for the LLS before Carli was even diagnosed. God even works in fundraising! :)

Tara finished her half-marathon! 13.1 miles...wow. Carli and her roommate Rachel, Ted and I , and Todd got to watch her on her course and then at the finish line. We are so proud of her! She didn't even look that winded, and was moving around better than we were this afternoon! We had a great day, all went out to lunch, and even gave Rachel the grand tour of the OSU campus. We might turn her into a Buckeye fan yet!

Woo Hoo!!

Carli's port is GONE!! History!! I drove to Grove City, picked her up, and off we went to Clarion, PA. Met Jane for lunch, felt bad b/c Carli wasn't allowed to eat much (she had applesauce and cottage cheese) before her surgery. She was very brave, and it helped that she knows Craig so well. It was intereting really getting to see how it was positioned in her chest and what it really looks like. We were surprised at how heavy it is and how long/big the catheter is. I told Carli that I know that they showed us a "model" when she had it put in, but I was in shock at that time and couldn't even think of any questions to ask. The numbing hurt, but after that she could only feel pressure in her chest. Now she just has to protect the incision, because he revised her scar and wants it to heal nicely. THANK YOU CRAIG!!

It is a nice purple color and kind of heart shaped...I told her that she should make a pendant out of it :)

She also got her hair cut where Jane gets hers done, and the lady didn't charge her for her "first haircut"...what a morale booster right before surgery!

Carli, in her Mennonite way, said that she wishes that she could sterilize it and donate it to someone that can't afford one...nice thought...but instead she took it with her and I'm sure that her friends will either be impressed or disgusted! Her sister was getting whoozy hearing us talk about it at dinner.

It was so weird having them both with me and then seeing them BOTH walking into the dorm...when did my little girls grow up?

Ever since our computer crashed, I can't get pictures to download to this blog...if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know, because I am so disappointed...I took some great shots today!