When my daughter was a toddler, she had several surgeries at a children's hospital. I remember her pediatrician telling me that after spending some time there, I would get on my knees and thank God that this was all He sent us. And that doctor was right. How do you rationalize and 18 month old with leukemia, or a 6 year old, bald from her treatments for a brain tumor? Or the 9 month old who is undergoing her 6th heart surgery? It just breaks your heart. Although that was a number of years ago, I've never been able to forget even one of them.

If God is willing to prevent evil, but is not able to
Then He is not omnipotent.

If He is able, but not willing
Then He is malevolent.

If He is both able and willing
Then whence cometh evil?

If He is neither able nor willing
Then why call Him God?

My Grandma was Diagnosed with Leukemia last week I just don't know if I can handle it, first My Grandma on my Dad's side died during Knee Sugery because THE GODDAMNED ANESTHESIOLOGIST FUCKED UP HE DOSE AND STOPPED HER HEART, they didn't realize it for over 7 minutes, The last words she said where to the Anesthesiologist, she said "I am afraid that you will put me to sleep, and I will never wake up" and that is exactly what happened, she was in a coma for two weeks before they had them turn off the respirator, she died 10 after my birthday April 19th 2007, and now My Grandma on my Mom's side has been Diagnosed with a Cancer of the blood with a very very high fatality risk

I Just don't know if I can take it

She could use your prayers. If you're not religious, then your kind thought would be nice.

Sorry to hear that little bro.

My thoughts go out to you and yours.

Thinking of you and your grandmother, Santino, and hoping that she progresses well.

Grazie

Big Prayer on the way for you and your Grandma. Life hands us many unfortunate and sad times. Be strong for your family and Grandma. "Come to me all who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest." - from the gospel this past Sunday. Ask for God to give you strength and comfort.

Grazie, thank you all who have said kind words in this time of uncertainty

I'm sorry Santino. I will keep her in my prayers. I know how very difficult this is for you. Take care.


TIS

I will

Sorry to hear that Santino!

Santino, that's terrible! I'm sorry to hear it, and of course they'll be in my thoughts and prayers!

And please add my parents to the list. My mom, physically (heart issues), and my dad mentally (starting to lose it a bit sometimes)... both turn/turned 79 this year.

They are in my prayers JG

Santino,

I will keep your Grandma in my thoughts and prayers. Look to our heavenly father for strength. He will help you through this hard time.

The Col's Dad has Leukemia also. He has been in remission for many years now. I pray that everything will be ok.

Geoff,

I will keep your Mom and Dad in my thoughts and prayers also.

JG, you get prayers AND a hug, because you are not only a good guy, but a really, really, really good son.

Geoff,

I too will certainly keep you parents in my prayers. I know it's difficult at times just to see our parents age normally and get "slower", but with serious issues on top of that, it's hard to accept at times.

My prayers are with you.


TIS

Santino's and Geoff's family will both be in my prayers.

Grazie Mille all who posted such loving comments

Prayer comes in many forms and for many reasons. In tough times I pray for God to give me strength and a clear mind to deal with the problems at hand. People are hurting and they need all forms of comfort around them. Do what you do best, and ask God to make that better. You are His instrument.

Above is a picture of my brother body-boarding a wave at Sea Bright, New Jersey on Memorial Weekend of this year. So what does this have to do with prayer? My brother will be 65 in September. Three years ago he experience a freak incident. He suffered a ruptured esophagus from vomiting. With the quick analysis of a visiting surgeon his condition was diagnosed and repaired and his life was saved.

When your esophagus ruptures, the contents of your stomach leaks into your body cavity. The fluids are highly septic (poisonous). Untreated, within 24 hours, most people die.

My brother was helping flood victims on the Delaware River in Port Jervis. He was fighting a stomach flu and the smell of mold contributed to vomiting. He was stricken by intense pain. An ambulance was called. In short, 6 hours later he was on the operating table to repair a ruptured esophagus. Front entry was unsuccessful. An incision in his back located the rupture, but not before a significant amount of sepsis had occured. His body was fighting a raging infection. He was in a coma and hooked up to a respirator. This continued for several days. Finally the infection subsided and after a week he began to wake up and respond to his surroundings.

For two weeks he remain in ICU. His esophagus was still leaking. He was fed through a tube down his nose. After four weeks the esophagus finally healed. After 6 weeks he was released from the hospital with a large scar in his abdomen and one in his back. He was told that the internal scaring was severe and that he would never feel 100% normal. This all happened in mid April of 2005. My brother is a deacon in the Catholic Church. You can imagine the amount of people who were praying for him. On August 5 he assisted on the altar at my daughter's wedding. The picture above shows him doing something we (and he) never thought would be possible. He has been surfing for 40 years. We believe the power of prayer had something to do with making this picture possible.

What a great story, MC!! Thanks for sharing it! And may God continue to bless your family.

If you're a praying person, please say a prayer for my mom.

My sister just called and told me my mother is now in a hospital. Evidently there is a large amount of fluid around her heart. Normally a fairly simple procedure would be able to drain most of this fluid, but they're not sure it will help in my mom's case (she's in pretty bad health now). A cardiologist will check her out tomorrow and determine if they should try this little operation.

I'm going to see her tomorrow morning and I'm afraid this may be the last time I do see her alive. What makes it unbearable for me is that she won't even know who I am when I see her (she has Alzheimer's).

She's just shy of her 90th birthday.

SC,

My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your mom and family. I can only imagine how you must feel.

It's so very hard to know what to pray for in these cases. On one hand, it's not the person you knew, and on the other she's your mother and you never want to lose your mother.

If you are up to it, please keep us posted. My best to you my friend.


TIS

SC,

I will have her in my prayers as well

My dearest friend, I am so sorry to hear the news about your mom. I know how much she means to you.

Remember your mom the way she was, not as she is now. And remember that it doesn't matter if her brain recognizes you, her heart does.

xxooxx

My thoughts and prayers go out to Santino, Geoff and SC for the health issues in their families.

SC, Alzheimer's and senility run prominently in both sides of my family. It is heartbreaking to see your loved ones not recognize you, or to see a once vibrant uncle reduced to a shell of a person. I hope your burden is lightened.

SC, my heart breaks for your family. I'll say extra prayers for your mom. There's no more helpless feeling in the world to know someone is suffering, and you have no powers to alleviate it. Take the love of your friends here and give it to your mom and family. Hopefully it will give you guys some peace and strength.

Be strong friend!

SC,

May the good Lord bring peace and strength to you and your family in these difficult times. Hang in there my friend and be strong.

Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement. I honestly have gotten some comfort from them!