Early this morning I dropped my boys off at school. “Only one week to go!” 15-year-old Joe remarked. “And then I start my driver’s training.” As we pulled up to the entrance, my eyes were drawn to a girl on the sidewalk. In most every way, she looked like the other female students—standard white polo, navy skirt—but in one distinct way, she was very different.
She was bald, for the most part, with only a few blond strands framing her pretty face.
“Oh my gosh,” I said. “She must have cancer.” My sons murmured something in return and I turned to face my oldest directly. “Do you ever talk to her?” I asked him.
“No,” he replied. “I don’t really know her.”
“Well,” I said, “that young lady has a tough row to hoe. If you boys catch her eye today, give her a nice smile. I mean it! You’re handsome when you smile. It warms the heart.”
“Offer it up for Grandpa,” I added, and with those last five words, I started to cry.
You see, we got the news yesterday that my dad has cancer. We don’t know very much at this point, only that the results from a biopsied lump came back positive. He will be seeing several doctors today and our family will go on from there…one day a time.
Will you please pray for my father, George? He has been a faithful servant all his life—so cheerful, so kind, so very hardworking—and he’s been the very best husband, dad & grandpa ever. As a Catholic deacon, he has baptized several of my children, and his humble & heartfelt homilies were among my favorites.
(Of course, I’m pretty biased there.)
God’s strength to pilot me.God’s might to uphold me.God’s wisdom to guide me.God’s eye to see before me.
— From The Lorica of St. Patrick
Ss. Patrick and Peregrine, pray for us.
Ss. George and Edward, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Praying for your all of you.
Praying for your Dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Praying for you all.
Praying, Margaret. All day. Love you.
Definitely will be praying.
Hey,
Praying for you and your family!!!
Regards,
A Primary Schools In Chennai
I'll definitely be praying for you. I'm a lot younger than you are, but already know this fear and pain – my dad was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma this last fall/winter. Like you, there's nothing to do but take it one day at a time… and trust that our God is bigger than cancer. I'll be offering up today's trials for your dad (and family) – say a prayer for my dad, if you get a chance 🙂
Oh, I am so sorry! Prayers and {{{hugs}}} for all of you, most especially your Dad!
Margaret, prayers for him, and for your whole family. I can tell you that we're walking the same path. Tom's dad was diagnosed with lung cancer last year — at age 89. He's still going, but we're clearly nearing the end. After yesterday's oncology appt, it seems hospice will probably be called next week.
For you, your mom, and your sisters — don't be afraid to ask questions. Make sure in all of the doctors whoever's with him is not afraid to ask tough questions and gets to know each doctor's opinion and approach. At an advanced age, it's important to make sure the doctor knows whether or not your dad, and your family, want to pursue all treatments no matter what the effect, or if he wants treatments with reasonable accommodations for his comfort. We're lucky Dad's doctor understood that he wanted treatment when possible, but not such aggressive treatment that he'd be sick every day that he has. We've found a balance and he's had a pretty good additional 16 months.
He did finally give up being an usher (after 76 years), and had to stop working in the soup kitchen. But only at nearly 90!
It's a hard balance to find. But you generally don't treat cancer the same in an elderly man as you would in a very young one.
I hope this wasn't too much. I'm sure you all feel as though you've been punched in the gut.
Feel free to contact me — email or Facebook — if you just need to talk or ask questions.
Hugs and prayers!
That wasn't too much at all, Elizabeth. I appreciate your taking the time to share it!
Praying for you and your family!!!
Oh dear. Praying for him and you!
Oh sweetie I am so sorry. Praying for you all.
Oh, Maggie, I'm crying for you and your family. Your father has become ours too, we've grown to love him through you. Prayers for all. Knowing your father as we have come to, I'm pretty sure he's going to be just fine no matter what. So will your mama. They have that kind of faith.
I am so sorry, Praying for your whole family.
what a hard diagnosis, I'm very sorry to hear it. You all are in my prayers, Margaret.
You know you have my thoughts and prayers.
I always call on St. Anthony (that poor man), but I know you must have a special devotion to him as well. My favorite prayer to him:
Dear St. Anthony, you recognized Our Lord Jesus Christ as the Divine Healer. In your goodness and kindness, please intercede for George who is suffering from cancer.
If it is God’s will, I ask that this day, the gift of healing be granted to him. Comfort him during times of unbearable pain, and ask our Lord to grant him peace and patience in suffering.
May God give George happiness and joy in life here on earth, or mercifully call him home to eternal glory forever. Amen.
Love you, darlin'.
Hugs to you, Margaret. I will pray for you and your dad. This is hard news to hear. Know this, you are very very very blessed to have a good dad. Not all are so fortunate.
I'm so sorry, Margaret. I will keep you all in my prayers. You can just tell from his smile that he is such a dear, sweet man. (and something about his jolly face reminds me just a bit of my own father, gone twelve years now) I always enjoy the pictures your parents and how their love and joy shine through every shot. So happy you scooted up there on Mother's Day! So sorry you must go through this sad, hard time.
Praying !!!
Sending prayers for Grandpa George cuz he's your daddy and we've all grown to love posts with his cute face in them. And we all love you, Margaret. May peace, faith and strength be yours today.
I am so sorry Margaret. We will definitely include him in our daily prayers.
My dad was just diagnosed with cancer too. I will add your dad to my daily prayers that I say for my own dad.
Our family will be praying for your papa, Mr. George!! God Bless y'all!
Praying for your family. What a blessing to have such a holy Dad and Grandpa. God is in the midst and remember, life is messy! love you sister. anne
Oh, I'm so sorry for such scary news. I'll definitely pray for your dad and your whole family. Also for that girl at your boys' school.
My mom had cancer twice. It's horrible for everyone. I pray for strength, for God's will to be done, for HOPE. For all of you.
Praying for you and your father. Being a cancer survivor myself, I have a soft spot for others suffering with cancer. St. Peregrine, pray for us!
Praying for your father and everyone in your family.
Do you ever listen to Drew Mariani on Relevant Radio? Everyday at 3 p.m. he prays the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and people call in with their prayer requests. All those prayers are pretty powerful. I've heard a few times where someone had cancer and after the chaplet was prayed for that person, the cancer disappeared completely… Just goes to show that when 2-3 are gathered in His name…
Blessings,
Cheryl
Praying for you and your family. My dad had cancer, and what I would tell you from that experience is that miracles can happen. It was a miracle when he was cured – and it was a miracle when it came back and I watched him overcome his fear and find grace, peace, acceptance, and comfort in something deeper than life. May your family be blessed with strength, love, and healing.
Praying for your father, you, and your family!
I will most definitely pray for your dad. I'm so sorry, Margaret, that your family is facing this journey. You are not alone.
Oh, Margaret, I'm so sorry. Your family is in my prayers daily and I'll pray especially for your dad to get a good prognosis, and strength for all of you. God bless you all.
Definitely prayers for your father and all of you!
Prayers for both your father and the young girl at your son's school.
Grandpa's handsome when he smiles too!
Such a dear face he has. I will offer something up for him too.
Praying for you.
Lots of prayers.
Praying, Margaret!
Prayers for your Dad and family. My father was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma (Stage 3). He was in his 70's. He's now 83 and has been in remission for 5 years. One of the prayers my father prayed was the Prayer to St. Joseph http://prayertostjoseph.org/
"This prayer was found in the fiftienth year of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In 1505 it was sent from the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever shall read this prayer or hear it or keep it about themselves, shall never die a sudden death, or be drowned, nor shall poison take effect of them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy; or shall be burned in any fire, or shall be overpowered in battle." We attribute the fact that he didn't lose his hair from the chemo because of the promise "nor shall poison take effect of them".
Prayers going up for you Margaret. My own mom died of cancer when I was just 28, and my father of alzheimers when I was about 42. My husband passed away from this awful disease just two months after diagnosis this past January (he died March 26th, at age 60) leaving behind me (49) and our 13 year old son, as well as two grown children from his previous marriage. The pain from his loss is horrendous, and makes me wish that God had taken me with him. My mother's loss was also heartbreaking, but not in quite the same way–she was older, had been sick longer, and there were no underage children being left motherless. Yet, no one loves you like your mom–or dad–and it's a huge, huge loss.
Let's pray it's not his time yet, and that it will be treatable and he will recover.
Much love to you!