For Community
Our son, Cayden, was diagnosed with liver cancer at the height of Covid-19 in February of 2021. He was less than a year old, and we hadn’t seen most of our family or friends since he was born. In the midst of the global health scare, that hadn’t touched us at the time, we came smack in the face with a deadly tumor growing inside of our littlest family member. We couldn’t put on a mask or hand sanitizer to keep it away. Staying at home and isolated from others hadn’t protected us from it. It had put a barrier between us and the little support system we had developed during the previous four years.
We needed support. We needed someone who understood hospital expectations and how to ask questions. We needed someone to help with our boys so my husband and I could be with our baby during chemo and surgeries. We needed someone to keep our boys at home smiling while we were away. We needed help tidying the house and keeping financial stress away. We needed help pouring into our marriage and keeping our faith. Why? I have stories for each of these needs that would take me far beyond the page of this post.
When childhood cancer became a home intruder, it snatched what was most precious to us and tortured him before our eyes. Weight fell off, hair fell out, crying became common and our son stopped developing. We were on a timer. We were aware that one complication, one surgery, one flu, one missed treatment could end his life. Not enough nutrients, not enough sunlight or exercise, not enough information, not enough joy could cause him to weaken and lose his fight. If we could just get through this, he still had the world before him.
In the midst of this, we had unexpected suprises, that were good. Those came from the support of others. Little or large, they all made a difference. The hospital had toys for our son when we had to stay for days or weeks? People are really donating to our go-fund me? Wow, many of these people haven’t commented on my posts in years. My friend sent lactaction cookies after I said my supply was struggling? This information from my mother-in-law is just what I needed. Our friends are willing to watch our children for over a month so we can travel for surgery? There is an organization giving free retreats for kids fighting cancer?
Each of these kindnesses were so impactful to my family’s life, they inspired us to create Kids Cancer Resources. No mistake, it’s faith that Cayden is healed and well that keeps me uplifted. However, God used and uses love for one another to protect and heal us in ways medicine never can. My hope is that people will be inspired to reach out, call, give, serve and show up for others going through dark seasons. It makes such a difference and Lord willing, you will receive the same when you are in a time of need.
