Ella

I have a dear dear friend, Sheli. I've known her since 1988 when we met in 7th grade...I think it may have been the DeKalb County Patrol Trip to Washington D.C...then we went to the same high school and we were inseparable. Even though we went to separate colleges (I have forgiven her for going to Auburn---haha), we were in each other's weddings and have stayed close as we have each expanded our families to include children. She is the kind of friend where it can be weeks since we've talked "live"...you know how it can be to play phone tag these days...but as soon as we get hold of each other, watch out---the marathon phone call begins and there is not one bit of small talk. We just pick up right where we left off.

Well, earlier this summer, I received a text message from her to pray for her 2 1/2 year old as she was going to have an MRI done on her abdomen to investigate a mass the doctors had found there. After the doctors removed the mass, the biopsy showed that it was indeed malignant. There are no words to describe the pit in my stomach as I heard that word. How can this be happening to someone I know so well? These are the kinds of stories you hear about a friend of a friend or a co-worker's friend as emails circulate to pray for this child or that child. Cancer isn't supposed to directly affect the people I love so dearly. But, on this side of the Kingdom, cancer does affect so many people's lives.

Sweet Ella has begun her chemotherapy and has had a rough couple of weeks (fevers, constipation, mouth sores, etc.) which has really taken a toll on both Ella and Sheli. I know that when my kids are sick, they only seem to want Mommy, and this seems to be the case for Ella too. Also, as the Mommy, we need to have a finger on the pulse of everything in our children's lives, especially something as serious as this. So, I'm sure it is hard to take that much-needed break to get the rest that Sheli so desperately needs.

I did get some good news from her this morning as they were able to pack up and go back home from the hospital, hopefully, until her next round of treatments. Praise the Lord. Anyone that has spent the night in a children's hospital (or any hospital for that matter---not being the patient) knows the accommodations are cramped and pretty uncomfortable.

If you want to read more about Ella, go here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ellaupchurch

I guess the reason I am writing about this is that I feel that this is something that I am "praying without ceasing" about. Sheli, Ella and the rest of her family are never far from the forefront of my mind. In my pregnancy-induced-insomniac nights, I am praying for complete healing of this precious child. As I am driving around town getting my last-minute Nesting errands run, I am praying for this child. I feel like I am constantly either thinking about giving birth or Ella.

I can't wait to one day look back on this post and praise our Great Physician for what He plans to do for her in His own amazing timing.