Friends and family,
As I am off to school on Wednesday, I thought that
I would write a blog entry before my family ships me off!
As you can tell from the previous post, mom hit a
bit of a rough patch last week. Many calls came in with concerns;
however, I think that the pictures maybe made mom look a little worse than how
she felt. The beginning of the week in the hospital was a tough battle.
But, I think that mom handled it as gracefully as Ryan Lochte losing the
gold to Michael Phelps; head high, looking good. In leu of the olympics,
this process has been more of a marathon, as last week was a 100-meter huddle
sprint! Man, I really love the olympics. And as the olympics kept
us entertained in the hospital, so did the countless phone calls and visits.
Everyone's prayers have kept mom fighting as hard as she can since day
one.
The visit from Trudy and Pam was definitely an interesting and special treat. Those two always keep us laughing.
Another special shout-out to "Dr." Mamma Kim Lee, who truly has
been a blessing for my family since my mom's diagnosis. She is one
amazing person and we owe her a million thank-you notes.
Onto better news!
This week, mom is back home almost in full force.
She continues to go to physical and occupational therapy on Mondays and
Wednesdays to get motion and use back into her left arm. She got a new,
fancy arm brace that makes her hand look like Wolverine's. AWESOME.
Honestly, I am a little bit jealous. Past the cool new look, it
allows mom better use of her hand by assisting her in gripping and holding
objects. Although she hasn't quite gotten back to her nimble
guitar-playing hands, I assure you she will be back to strumming ASAP. I
know I can't wait.
Mom is going to be taking a break from treatment at
the lake this week. Hopefully she will get some needed R&R, since
last week took a lot out of her, as well as the family. We are headed
down to Dale Hollow for a family vacation before we all part ways. Dad
will be needing extra prayers as he makes trips back and forth to pick up and
drop off suburban-loads of people throughout the week.
I move in on Wednesday! As excited as I am to
start this new chapter in my life, I wish that I could stay home while my mom
continues to heal. She assures me that we can have Skype dates - I will
be seeing her bald through my new macbook rather than in person - because chemo
is the next plan for her fight! She has dealt with it well in the past, as
you all know - so we are very hopeful. She will hopefully regain her strength
back with the upcoming break in her treatment. I have complete faith that
your prayers have kept us going during this marathon. I can't thank all of you enough.
Please Keep up the prayers!
God Bless,
Ellie (The last, but CERTAINLY not least)
p.s. because I am leaving this year, my parents
will be empty-nesters... for those of you who live close, PLEASE, do not let my
parents stay home. I will send out cash donations to those of you who
would like to help :) JUST KIDDING!
p.p.s. Also...I'd like to add one more thought from Lauren's
close-friend (and future NBA star), Errick Peck. What a guy!
From Errick:
I took a visit to the Dedinsky household yesterday and as
always, they took good care of me. I just wanted to leave a small quote on this
blog to hopefully motivate you, show my concern for you, and let you know, Mama
Dedinsky, that you are in my prayers.
"The trials and pressures of life--and
how we face them--often define us. Confronted by adversity, many people give up
while others rise up. How do those who succeed do it? They persevere. They find
the benefit to them personally that comes from any trial. And they recognize
that the best thing about adversity is coming out on the other side of it.
There is a sweetness to overcoming your troubles and finding something good in
the process, however small it may be. Giving up when adversity threatens can
make a person bitter. Persevering through adversity makes one better."
JOHN C.
MAXWELL
