Chemo Week 13
Taxol 5

Every time I come with Elly to chemo we bring some of your wonderful mail with us.  I can’t tell you how grateful we are for your thoughtfulness.  After reading so many encouraging letters from a lot of you, Elly requested a public letter from me.  I’m not sure how this will turn out, but I will try:

My Dear Elly,

What a journey this has been!
I think we have visited all of the Aurora hospitals within driving distance in Wisconsin!

Today we are back at West Allis for chemo, where your surgery took place 20 weeks ago. That seems so long ago in some ways, and yet, just like yesterday.  We have met some wonderful people along the way who have tried to make these days a little easier.  I know we are not alone in this kind of a  battle, but despite all of our valiant brave faces, as you so eloquently said today, “this really sucks”.

I have fought back tears trying to find words to encourage you to put up with your “ice cap”, “ice mittens” and “ice socks” for just a little longer. Trying to make a joke here and there.

I was honored that you wanted me with you when you had your head shaved. But I couldn’t hold back all my tears that day.

Appropriately, as so often is the case, God sent us this timely devotion today from my favorite encourager, Oswald Chambers, from My Utmost for His Highest:

You cannot drink grapes:

“This call has nothing to do with personal sanctification, but with being made broken bread and poured-out wine. Yet God can never make us into wine if we object to the fingers He chooses to use to crush us. We say, “If God would only use His own fingers, and make me broken bread and poured-out wine in a special way, then I wouldn’t object!”  Yet we must never try to choose the place of our own martyrdom. If we are ever going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed—you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed.  Stay right with God and let Him do as He likes, and you will find that He is producing the kind of bread and wine that will benefit His other children.”

My sweet Elly, I am so proud of you and how you strive to glorify God even in these hardest moments. Continue to cling to Him and I know He will carry you through.

Love you,
Mom