The past week has been really eye opening for me as a business woman, a mother, an aunt, a daughter, a sister, a woman of faith and a woman in general. I've come across some pretty interesting situations in the past week.
It's not a secret that for the past 4 years my sister's son, my wonderful nephew Mason Thomas has been battling stage 4 neuroblastoma. It's a really rare form of cancer that occurs in a small amount of children. Although I am shocked at how many people I've encountered in the past four years that I know who have family members that have had the disease, know about a friend's child affected by it or have known someone with the disease in general.
Before I rattle on about this disease you can check out this link about it https://www.google.com/health/ref/Neuroblastoma it should help you to have more of an understanding of the disease.
I want to thank all of my social networkers on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter who have really been there to listen to me consistently post please pray for Mason. I must have called my church at least 100 times. As the doctor at Sloan Kettering told us "he really gave us a scare this week". I truly believe in the power of prayer, it is an amazing force when people pray and God answers. If you are an atheist or agnostic I won't argue with you I still believe. I have seen the power of God in my life and the life of this little one far too long for me to deny it.
Mason developed a complication after chemotherapy, which was an infection in his port (check out Wikipedia if you do not know what one is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_(medical) ). Apparently, his port developed a yeast infection/fungal infection which spread through his entire body, causing low blood pressure, high fevers and almost cost him his life. I felt to go up and pray over him. My friend and I went last Monday and prayed over him, he got worse. I continued putting him on every prayer chain in the country and praying personally though I must admit I felt quite weak. Wednesday Mason was fighting for his life literally. I went up to the hospital that night thinking either God will do this or he's going to go home. I prayed for him when I got there and once again when we left rebuking the spirit of death off of him.
It wasn't my prayer, millions of people were praying for him. Mason got better little by little. Of course I'm not a fool and won't say his medical care had nothing to do with it. Truthfully, the medical care was not working and we prayed it would work and it did. Mason is now sitting in a chair where he could not function last week. He will be going home at the end of this week. I'm so glad.
There were times I broke down in tears at what I had seen on Wednesday night, for my family and my nephew's condition. He looked angelic sitting in that hospital bed. I believe that boy will share his miracle one day and preach the gospel.
On another note, I learned this week that though I have my own business I must prioritize and make the most of my time for business but even more so for family. You never know when you are going to breathe your last. As a sister, I learned about supporting from a distance as I could not go out there and help as my other sister helped with Mason. What a wonderful RN she is. My mom too. Great nurses.
As a mother I have learned how to fight for my children's rights because the schools did not make it easy for me, but when they became aware of what was going on then they became supportive. My eldest son Michael had an interesting week. I have learned how to support and not smother him. I have also learned how to teach him right from wrong through some very difficult situations he faced with some other students.
This was a week of joy, tears, concern, disappointment, confidence, faith, trust, and hope, support, giving and receiving. Mostly learning how to love no matter what. Although my little ones frazzled me a bit. But hey that's what being a single mom is about. I wonder what lessons the upcoming weeks will bring. I think the furnace of affliction is a great place to grow though no one likes being there. I certainly don't. So I shared with you – please share with me your stories, comments and questions. I'm looking forward to growing together professionally and personally.
