The Bump in the Road…

       When the phone rang one evening just after dinner, Al and I were surprised to hear the voices of our daughter, Shanda, and son-in-law on the phone. An unexpected phone call from family late at night is always some cause for anxiety! They were calling to tell us that Shanda had been diagnosed with cancer after having had biopsies taken of some suspicious lumps detected during a regular check-up. That news caught all of us off-guard. Chris, our son-in-law, called it a “bump” in the road. But it was a very big bump!

    Chris’s mother had spent the previous year going over the same rough road—cancer diagnosis, chemo and surgeries. So they were somewhat prepared and didn’t feel as though they were completely in the dark. Shanda followed her recommendations in choosing a surgeon and oncologist in Troy, Michigan after meeting with several different doctors in the Detroit area.    

     Chemotherapy started a few weeks later with one treatment every three weeks followed by a “booster shot” the day after each treatment to help boost her white blood cell count. Her attitude was amazing…“Bring it on. Kill those cancer cells!”

     Support began flooding in. Friends and family were there to help out with dinners, house cleaning and going with Shanda to appointments, pouring out their love in many ways. People, even strangers, began praying for her, asking God for His healing touch upon her.

      A friend from church shared this verse after the diagnosis of cancer which applied to how Shanda was feeling at the time and helped her to let go of fear.“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”(Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

      Soon after the first chemo treatment, her hair began falling out. Before having her head shaved and getting a new wig, she was allowed to cut off her long curly hair. “When do you get to give yourself a bad haircut?” she wrote. That evening, friends dropped by the house with an assortment of brightly colored costume wigs for them all to try on, which was silly and fun for Nate (5 1/2) and Elliot (4).

      Even through the sessions of chemo, Shanda wanted to continue playing the viola with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She said that focusing on the music would keep her from thinking about herself. One evening we watched a live webcast of a concert knowing that she was exhausted and sick from the chemo. When she stood up with the rest of the symphony orchestra at the end of the concert, she gave a small wave with her bow and smiled, our prearranged signal.

     Keeping up with the boys’ activities during the week has been a challenge. “It’s been hard trying to keep things normal for them,” she says. Thankfully, Chris, family and friends who live nearby have been able to fill in when necessary. If Al and I were given the chance to take her place in this ordeal of cancer, we would have gladly volunteered. It’s difficult watching such a vivacious, energetic young woman and her family going through these hard times.

     Shanda, you have our vote for the “Mother’s Day Award” (if there is such a thing) for showing courage, determination and great love in the face of hardship. Have a happy Mother’s day and know that we love you!