Dad Update 12/5/2013: A New Order of Bracelets

I truly believe everything happens for a reason, people are put into your life and situations happen for a reason- and families are created a certain way for a reason. It's amazing how we all play our part in the situation, each family member has something they are gifted with to add to the situation. My Mom and Dad are hands down the ROCK of our family. Dad's focus is getting better, resting and beating this! While Mom is completely focused on Dad- taking him to appointments and taking care of herself. She has been unbelievable through it all- I'm so proud of both her and Dad. 

And us girls, I always thought it was weird how different we all are, how different all of our strengths and weaknesses are- but now I see the purpose:
Genna handles ALL of the medical information (along with Aunt Joan) and attends appointments when she can. I almost fainted every time I saw Dad in ICU after his surgery- so hospitals just aren't for me. But Genna is able to understand what the doctors are talking about in regards to treatment, medicine, etc.  Meghan keeps us well fed and helps to keep Mom and Dad well rested. Mom and Dad are able to stay at her house in College Station Monday-Wednesday between appointments to eat, rest and just relax. Such a blessing having her in town. And Me....Well, I am my father's daughter. I handle all insurance, disability, billing, scheduling, etc. I'm the business side to it all. Little do these billing departments know, I audit things for a living. I'm the one downloading every claim from the insurance website and performing a one to one comparison to each bill we receive from different hospitals/doctors. Yeah, I'm THAT person. Each of us so unique, yet each of us with a desire to help and do for my Mom and Dad what we know they would be doing for us. Like I told Lar when he thanked me for everything: "Dad, I put you through a lot of crap the last 25 (almost 26) years, this is the least I can do." And I meant every word I said!

I have to say, the number of people stopping me, Facebook messaging or texting/calling me requesting a bracelet to wear for my Dad is overwhelming. So overwhelming- we've decided to order more! People keep asking what they can do, how they can help- and you all can help by doing exactly what you've been doing: praying! Life has many ways of testing a person- either by having nothing happen or having everything happen at once. And it does feel like EVERYTHING happened at once- but I can honestly say the good that has come out of this situation of "everything happening at once", far outweighs the negative. 

I wear my bracelet every day- never take it off- and I won't, not until my Dad beats this. His last blood counts came back good and we are almost done with another week of treatment. I think a lot of celebrating will be happening on December 20- Dad's last day of radiation. Until then, we take things one day at a time- for life is all too short, as none of us truly know what God has in store. So for right now, I'll take the good with the bad, and smile through it all! As I've finally come to understand that unexpected things are going to happen, and the only control I have is how I choose to handle them. I'm choosing to survive this using courage, humor and grace.