Moments in Time

There are moments in life when unforseen circumstances arise, difficult news is delivered, and you hear the words, see the expressions and time seems to stop, as you hear news you never thought would be directed at you.  You listen and nod in all the right places, your mind frantically searches for questions that will, hopefully, sound intelligent, and you proceed in a fog, because you just don't know if you can fully comprehend what's going on, and what the ramifications will be, and you wonder, "what will be forever changed", and how will you change and adapt?   Sometimes, we see these moments as negative.  Most often they are hard and difficult and strain our faith and we question our ability to cope and move forward.  I can think of several of these moments in my life.  The most recent was on Wednesday, October 27th, when the ER doctor told Scott and me, that they were sure that Kyle had leukemia. 

What about the other moments?  The happy moments when good news is delivered?  When you feel optimistic and like you are on top of the world?  In some of these instances, time seems to stand still, and you wonder what the ramifications of this news will be, and how your life might change.....interesting how "NEWS" good or bad can illicit some of the same questions -- in a totally different way!

So, what is all this rambling, mumbo-jumbo leading to? 

Today, 09 November 2010 -- Kyle had a lab visit and doctor's appointment -- nothing new, different or special there.....just doing what has become our new "normal".  Jon had taken the day off, because we were going to this visit and then Derek was flying in from Salt Lake for a visit....

The labs happened (not easily), and we were shown into an exam room, where the doctor sat down and told us that the remaining results from the bone marrow biopsy were in.  She said, "It's not cancer.  I don't get to give that news very often, but it's not cancer.  When I spoke with the pathologist, she told me that there is myelodysplasia (bone marrow issues), but that it is not typical.  It's not even a "true" MDS that typically turns into leukemia.  The problems with his bone marrow seem to be more consistent with lack of nutrition.  So we will continue to monitor him closely, but we've taken more blood to see where he's nutritionally deficient and we will supplement and hopefully be able to turn this around."

WHAT?  In that moment, everything we thought we knew, changed again!  For the better!  In an amazing and unexpected way!  Will we magically be able to get Kyle to start eating?  NOT!  But -- we will have tools, and supplements, and therapies to help him learn to eat and to change his nutrition intake.  Are we finished with weekly lab visits, and monitoring?  NO!  Kyle will continue to be monitored closely and tests to confirm what they now believe will still take place.  Does this mean that his condition will never turn for the worst?  No.  It means, that for this moment in time, things are different than the doctors thought, and it seems to be a less drastic diagnosis with the possibility of being corrected.  Do I feel silly for passing on the information as I got it?  No, because I posted as the doctors gave me information.....and that has changed over time.....and they are as surprised as I am.  Surprised and pleased in a good way!

What I know:   God lives!  He knows each of us by name, and He is a God of miracles! Jesus is the Christ and through His atonement we gain strength and faith, and never have to face the moments (good or bad) alone.  Prayer works!  I have felt the strength and the power that have come from the many, many prayers offered in our behalf.  The power of God is on the earth to bless the lives of His children....this power is the power of the priesthood, exercised by those who have the proper authority, to bless the lives of those who ask.  Kyle has received many blessings, and the fulfillment of those blessings is apparaent -- even in the hard things!  Even during difficult and seemingly impossible times in our lives -- there are blessings.  We will see and find these blessings if we look for them. 

Mr. Lundy -- in the musical Brigadoon, said, "Sunshine can peep through a wee hole."  Look for the sunshine, even when there are clouds -- and in those Moments in Time  -- the ones that take your breath away (good or bad) look for the miracles, and thank God! 

Miracles Happen!