Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return. - Mary Jean Iron

Monday, September 20, 2010

Mother

It remains hard to believe that it was almost 10 years ago when I huddled at the end of my parents bed as they broke the news that Mom had been diagnosed with Chronic Meyloid Leukemia, a form of cancer that leaves you asking questions of how much longer does she have instead of how can she be cured. Leukemia is a viciously, pervasive form of cancer that reaches all corners of your body as it dominates your white blood cells...those cells that are supposed to fight for you, have somehow turned against you.

I vividly remember hearing all of the conversations about possible courses of treatment and how our family would go from here. Talk of chemo, bone marrow transplants, etc. became my world at that point in 10th grade. Right about the time that we found out that Mom did not have a bone marrow match, we heard about a new drug that was still in the testing stages but that was aimed at treating CML, the exact cancer that my mom had. Over the course of several weeks, we received word that Mom had been accepted in the study for this new "miracle drug" called Gleevec, and with no other options we went for it. We could have never imagined that this was indeed a miracle.

Praise the Lord that we can say that after almost 9 years of daily medications, unexpected side effects, and many many trips to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Mom has officially been taken off of her medications and declared CANCER FREE!!! She will be monitored closely, but we could not be more thankful for the Lord's provision of the right treatment at the right time.

I am thankful every single day to be blessed with this incredible woman as my mother.

She is a beauty:)







I see that the life of this place is always emerging beyond expectation or prediction or typicality, that it is unique, given to the world minute by minute, only once, never to be repeated. And this is when I see that this life is a miracle, absolutely worth having, absolutely worth saving. We are alive within mystery, by miracle.

- Wendell Berry (Life is a Miracle)

8 comments:

Susie-Q said...

Maggie, I love you!!!! Thankful for every day...
Mom

Mary said...

That is amazing. I am so happy for you and your family. Love you!

Kim said...

So beautiful. You both are, strong and beautiful, and sparkly.

Mosey said...

Maggie this is so very sweet and such wonderful news! I love you and your mom both so much- AMAZING women you are.
Mamo

Katherine Vance said...

I am so glad that I saw the link on facebook. Beautiful people-- I am so happy for you all. Peggy- you are an inspiration.

The Stanley Family said...

Maggie! Oh my goodness that is so awesome, Congratulations to your family and your Mother! Hope all is well in D.C.!
-Emily

The Jonker Family said...

That's beautiful, Maggie. Thanks for sharing.

deni said...

Peggy is wonderful, as are you, Maggie. This is a lovely tribute to a very special Mom. Thanks for sharing the fantastic news.