A Cancer-versary Thank You Note

I will cause the shower to come down in its season; there shall be showers of blessing.
Ezekiel 34:36

On January 5, 2016,  I walked into an imaging center, already guessing that my lump wasn’t just a lump.  Hours later, I was told to “brace myself for cancer”.   Days later, the word malignant was highlighted on my pathology report.  The year plus of days that have followed after have been full.  Full of hard things, ordinary things, realizations, challenges, parenting thrown off, yet blessed small people, and approximately 3,016 appointments. 

The anniversary of both of those first two hard days, passed a couple weeks ago.  Around that time, words started pooling in my head.  I process through the keyboard, and I’ve typed whole essays in my thoughts around 3AM each night.  I’ve got lots to say, that I hope will help someone.  Quite frankly, I hope they’ll help me. 

What I need to spill first is gratitude, because it’s deep and wide and feels urgent now.  Somewhere along the line, I lost the journal that held numbered record of the kindnesses. For that reason and more, most of my thank you cards were never written.  I know you’ve all said NOT to, but this Southern, word loving girl wants to.

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So thank you.

Thank you to the friends who read those first texts and took it all in alongside me.

Thank you to the “Bless Rebecca” FB group organizers.

Thank you to the suppliers of super fun brave pants and brave socks.

Thank you to the meal deliverers. 

 

Thank you to our beloved missionary pals who sent love from China, Ethiopia, Guatemala and Africa.

 

 

 

Thanks to low country boilers who satisfied my craving. 

 

Thank you to  the teachers who gave extra love and grace.

Thank you to the long-time cancer-fighting aunt who sent cards, texts, messages and love x100.

Thank you to the generous folks who helped pay medical bills.

Thank you the many who provided me with a giant stack of napkin encouragement.

Thank you  to the care package senders. 

 

 

Thank you to the many brave ladies who got mammograms and let me know.

 

Thank you to the flower senders.

Thank you to the bracelet wearers.

 

 

 

 

Thank you to “anonymous” who gifted without leaving a name, just to bless.

Thank you to the pray-ers of prayers and those who added me to their prayer lists and walks.

Thank you to organizers, and funders, of house cleaning.  Glory!

Thank you to the friends who knew when to let me feel my feels. 

Thanks you to my post hard appt lunch pals.

 

Thank you to our dear friends who were extra grateful with their lake house.

 

Thank you to the hilarious ones who text giggles. (Bonus points for Richard Simmons!)

Thanks you to the babysitters.

Thank you for sending kid smiles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to friends who let me be flaky.

Thank you to the patient readers of posts with photos of brave pants and socks.

Thank you to text-ers who kept texting, and trusting that their texts mattered, even when I didn’t respond. 

Thank you to the t-shirt wearers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to the incredibly sweet and brave planners of fun kid outings.

 

Thank you to the men who stood shoulder to shoulder with Mark.

Thank you to the cheerleaders, so generous with time, words and laughs.   

Thank you to the friends who knew when crazy comedies and popcorn were just right. 

Thank you to the card senders.

Thank you to those who climbed mountains and prayed for me at the top.

 

 

 

Thank you to the sisters who held my hand, and my kids’ hands, when my hair fell to the ground.

 

Thanks to those who showed up at the hospital to help pass the time and ended up scratching my feet. 

Thanks to those who joined me for all kinds of appointments, from biopsies and infusions, to MRIs, wound care, and echocardiograms.  Thanks for taking notes, sitting in waiting rooms and holding my purse while I changed into paper gowns.  Your presence was a great gift.   

 

 

 

 

Thanks to those who have been the hands and feet of Jesus for our family for three years of medical fun. 

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I’m writing this post, and I’m picturing you, our people.  Our family.  Our life group.  Our North Metro Church family.  Our supper club.  Our neighbors.  Our adoption tribe, both local and online.  Our former classmates.  Our people. 

It’s taken time to write this, because I’m overwhelmed by how to cover it all, how to fully express my gratitude.  Overwhelmed by your love.  I've been terrified to forget something.  This journey is not over. 

The Lord was lavish with me through you, and I’m humbled, girded up and deeply grateful.  Our only hope is that we can pay it forward and return it back your way.  Our deepest gratitude. 

The chemo is still flowing, and couple surgeries loom, but we are good, very good and blessed.

 Our deepest gratitude,
Mark, Rebecca, Sophia, Claire, Eli and Evie

 

 

**Extra grace please, as I know I've likely left off photos.  Every last kindness was appreciated!