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Sorry, video is crap. Will try to get a picture up soon.
I have not been an active part of our 'family' blog but after witnessing a life changing moment this week I could not help but share it myself. I am so incredibly proud of my dad that I cannot even put it into words.
For those of you who don't know, the London Regional Cancer Centre has a beautiful gong in the main waiting room. Whenever you hear that gong it signifies the ending of someone's radiation treatments. The room is silent, the gong sounds and everyone in the room waiting for their loved ones join in applause. Well on Monday we heard that gong sound and the one who made it ring was my dad. In that moment everything else around me did not seem to matter.
My dad has always been a very special part of my life but I did not realize how much I admired him until this day. Starting around October my dad started to have some further health issues. After having some minor surgery he always knew something was not quite right. One Thursday my mom & dad went in to see the doctor and were told that my dad had a very rare form of an agressive small cell bladder cancer and not much could be done. That was like a punch in the gut to all of us. What do you do when you get information like that? How do you get over that? Fortunately, a week and many prayers later his doctors said they were going to try a new 'cocktail' of chemotherapy and 30 days of radiation.
Well...we are all so very happy to say that the gong has rung! It was a short but oh so powerful and emotional moment. To see my dad sitting there ready to sound that gong made me proud to be his daughter! I have always thought that my dad was a strong person but you never truly realize how much until something like this affects your family. My dad has shown a great deal of strength, patience (something he & never had much of) and most of all...perseverance during this whole process and he is not finished yet. We have yet to hear the bell ring but I assure you it is coming very soon. This sound will represent the end of chemotherapy treatments. Once that bell rings I am sure the emotions from all of us will be more than words can say.
Then there is my Mom. Wow...what can I say except that she has truly shown what a remarkable woman she really is. She has always had that nursing background but I'm sure she never thought she would have to be doing it all over again 30+ years later. Like my dad, she too is a strong willed and stubborn person. Seeing the way she cares for my dad is inspiring. No matter how many times we urge her to take a break or get some rest she rarely leaves his side for long.
Mom, Dad...we love you both very much! I know many days are harder than others but as my dad keeps saying, "It is what it is and we just have to deal with it!" This is so true and that is all any of us can ever do. One day at a time!
Thank you to all our family and friends, near and far who have been praying and sending wishes of wellness. We are so grateful to have such a wonderful support system across the world. Keep those prayers coming and know we are thinking of all of you as well!
