The month progressed, and we both looked forward to spending time together during a week off for Thanksgiving break.
Our relationship was still very new to the both of us, and we are both very focused on family, so I wanted him to be able to spend time with his and vice versa. So, we stayed at his house during the earlier part of the week, and since his family doesn't do anything major on Thanksgiving day, he came back to town with me for my family gathering.
this was taken a week or so before thanksgiving, but I don't have one from the actual day.
My family had all been together for lunch, and I was anxious for the rest of my family to finally meet David in person after hearing so much about him! It was a happy day. We left, full as ticks, and went home to debate an afternoon hunt. While we were at home, Mom called. She told me that she was worried about Mimi because she had shared with her after lunch about having a knot on her stomach. I kind of dismissed it a little because I didn't want to worry until we knew for sure. Despite the fact that Mom had told me not to mention it, I had to tell David because I needed someone to be there to understand my thoughts IF it did turn into anything other than nothing; plus, he could clearly tell something was wrong.
This was a tricky spot for me. I didn't want to "burden" David with my family's issues, but I wanted him to know SO bad. I needed him to know. I never felt like he didn't want to know, but I am always a little hesitant about pouring my problems into someone else. I knew that I could risk putting him in a position where he didn't know exactly what to say, but I took the chance, and I am so glad I did. I explained to him what Mamma had just told me, and he just hugged me and reassured me that everything would be okay.
After weeks of test, back and fourths to doctors, and not being exactly sure of what was going on, Mimi had an appointment in a town three hours away from our hometown. I was anxious that day, but I tried to dismiss it again because I was taking my final Algebra test (which also determined a passing grade. Ya'll, I'm a math whiz! Except, not really.) Anyway, when I got home, I knew things weren't right, and Mom came in while I was pouring a bowl of cereal for supper. I waited anxiously through the small talk, and I never pushed her to tell me anything. I kind of felt like she would say it when she got the strength up to do so (she's always trying to be strong), but with Daddy lingering close by, I knew it wasn't good news. The next few moments are a blur to me as Mamma carefully explained the way the day had gone, and honestly I can't recall anything she said. All I heard was "cancer". What? Excuse me, huh? CANCER? No. No - because she is my grandmother. Not only is she the definition of grandmother, she is also the definition of ONE TRUE BEST FRIEND. She truly, truly is. All of the sudden, my world stopped, and I felt like the blood had been sucked out of my entire body, and the wind left in my cells evaporated into a salty pool of tears. I couldn't help but be selfish about the entire situation. If this was cancer, would she be at my graduation? My next graduation? Am I going to be able to call her & tell her I'm engaged? See her ushered down the isle at my wedding? Watch me start a family? -- I knew I was getting WAY too ahead of myself, and ultimately I knew that God was in control, but I was so doubtful for weeks. I wanted myself to believe that "He was in control" and "He knows what's best", but in reality I could only think about what I PERSONALLY thought was best. She NEEDS to be here with ME. She has to be on the other end of the phone line when I'm mad at everyone else in the world, and she has to be my voice of reason. She always has, and I just kept saying while talking to Hollie & David that "I can't be without her."That is the truth.
I called David as soon as I caught my breath, only to lose it again. Bless his precious heart, he just sat on the phone with me, and almost drove to Macon that night. I believe he would have if I hadn't talked him out of it, but I know there was really nothing else he could say. What do you say in that situation? I knew he understood it better than anyone else at the time because he too has lost someone that he loved DEARLY. He just reassured, reassured, reassured, until HE was convinced that I was okay.
The next few days were spent praying, crying, and wondering, and later that week we met with her doctor, but we didn't make the drive back three hours away, we met him at his other office - only about 35 minutes away. He came in, and to be honest, he was probably somewhat overwhelmed at everyone in the room with Mimi at the time. My mom, my Nannie, of course Mimi, and I all crowded the tiny examination room and awaited anxiously for him to discuss the Chemo procedures. Truthfully, Mimi was stressed out about the entire thing. Can't you imagine? Thinking you have some minor issue one morning and by that afternoon it has been confirmed that you have been thrown into the pool with the other 53,000 people who are diagnosed with Lymphoma every year? Yeah, overwhelming is an understatement, but we kept encouraging her (and ourselves as we said it out loud) that everyone in our town was praying for her.
To make a long story short, Mimi started her chemo treatments the week after Christmas, and I am so glad to say that she finished - currently CANCER FREE, and she is doing as well as she was prior to the diagnoses. I cannot be more thankful for an individual being in my life. She is the strongest woman I know, and all she had to do was have the faith of a mustard seed - and she moved mountains by the way she conducted herself, never losing strength, hope, and her sweet, sweet smile.
I also have to say that I am truly confident in God's plan for my life, Mimi's life, as well as David's life. I know that He placed us together when He did so that David could be my strength when I needed to be Mimi's. I can't be more thankful for having him by my side. He is such a blessing.
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