Life changing trip

Yesterday I went on a trip with my mom to Duke, we just got back today. My mom is a survivor for those that didn't know. She was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago and everything turned out really good for her, for all of us. She survived it! She has been going to Duke now yearly for her check ups, as they are the best around. This time I went with here. Emily stayed at home with my dad. (I know weird ugh, he actually did a great job)

Anyway, if you don't know, Duke is in Durham, NC and let me tell you...it is a long drive. My mom drove the first part and I drove the second part. We decided to go to Raleigh to see my cousin Jennifer and my new baby cousin Charlotte and of course Sam and Tim. Needless to say this made the trip longer because we had no idea where we were going but it was worth it.

I finally got to hold another of God's miracles...Charlotte. She is around 2 months old and so full of life. A short version of their story...When Jennifer was pregnant she was told that Charlotte had aortic stenosis, a congenital heart defect that caused her aortic valve and her aorta to be too small. As if that wasn't enough, one of her heart chambers was also enlarged. So Charlotte is really a true blessing from God, and she is as healthy as ever. She just smiled at me and laughed with me. (I guess I am pretty funny to look at) You would never know by looking at her, that she wasn't just like any other child. We are so grateful for all God has done for Charlotte and her family. I must say being a mother is hard but Jennifer and Tim have not only done a great job with their almost 3 year old son Sam but they have done one amazing job at helping keep Charlotte healthy and alive. It takes special people to go through what they did for 9 months and now the rest of Charlotte's life. To trust so much in the Lord, to not ask why, just accept it and move forward. They are so strong, I only dream of being that strong.

I was going to go back to see them on Friday while my mom was at Duke, but I knew I would get lost so I decided to accompany my mom to her doctor appointment. Her appointment was 3 1/2 hours, maybe longer. We got there just before 8am and left a little after 11am. You wouldn't believe how big this place was and how nice everyone there was. People in North Carolina are really nice.

First we went to a waiting room to register and then they called my mom back and took her blood. Then they sent us to another waiting area where she registered for a mammogram, then we waited for some lady to come and get us to walk us to yet another room. (the worse room of all) Picture this...a small room with 11 chairs, in those chairs are women from ages 18 to 80 and each women has on the same washed a million times too big or small gown. Yep, this room is full of women waiting to get a mammograms. Needless to say I was the only one not in a gown, thankfully. My mom waited about 35 minutes before she was called back and then she was in the back about 15 minutes and then she waited another 20 minutes for her results. This whole time I watched those 11 chairs fill up 3 times. With every person that sat down, my eyes went to them, curious as to what their story was. I couldn't help but to look at the chest of everyone women in their, as was everyone else. At least I wasn't doing the obvious, acting like I was reading only to glance around the room as I turned to the next article. Nope, I just glanced around while I made jewelry! You really did wonder if everyone of those 33 women in about an hours time had cancer or had had it. Then you wondered too, why hasn't someone determined where cancer comes from and how can we stop it from happening. It really makes you grateful when you go into a place like that. So grateful for having breast and being healthy and alive, and so grateful my mom is here with us.

After the results came back we went back to where we started, the first waiting room so that mom could see the actual doctor. That really only took about 30 minutes and it went by really fast because I sat there and talked to people. I was making jewelry so everyone wanted to know what I was doing. This one lady came up to me and she had no hair and a hat on to cover it. I couldn't help but to melt. I mean you hear of cancer but until you actually are around people that are showing signs of it, you don't really realize how bad it is. My mom caught hers early and didn't have to go through Kimo, she was really lucky so to speak. Unless someone told you , you would have never known that she had cancer (she was so strong through it all and still is). When I looked into the eyes of this lady, I realized how thankful and lucky I am to have my mom healthy and here. I just wanted to hug this lady. I felt so sorry for her but as I felt sorry, she smiled. I knew then that she had to have faith in God. I know that was what made my mom so strong during it all and I could see that strength in this lady's eyes too.

I was so glad that I went with my mom this weekend. We haven't been able to spend much one on one time together since Emily was born. If you know how grandparents are...it's all about the grandchild but the last 48 hours it was about my mom and me and I am so happy to call her my mom.