The Holidays are rolling along as planned; the halls are decked, the cookies are getting baked and eaten, the presents are being bought, wrapped and hidden away and BOOM.
My 20 year old nephew, Woody, was diagnosed with leukemia last Thursday.
He hadn’t felt well at Thanksgiving. Tyler always travels to St. Paul for an early morning football game with that branch of the family and Woody had mentioned (the kid never complains) being fatigued lately. He still managed to fake Ty out of his shoes. Two years ago, we all got to watch Woody score a touchdown during the Prep Bowl when St. Thomas Academy competed for a State Title.
The Holiday ended, Woody headed back East for school but the fatigue didn’t go away. It got worse.
By last week, he could barely climb a flight of stairs so he went to the clinic and they put him in the hospital.
Leukemia.
This was unexpected.
His Doctors are very confident of a good prognosis but the treatment will be long and awful. His physical state at the moment is so weakened that the idea of trying to get home for the Holidays was immediately squashed. His first round of therapy starts today. He will have to remain in Boston through at least the first six-week round of chemo.
Some friends started a Gofundme page to raise money for hotel accommodations and expenses for Woody’s parents (my brother Joe and sister in law, Heidi) to be with him.
Some friends at school offered up their house, from which they’ll be absent over the break, to the family, so in addition to his parents, Woody’s five siblings can all go spend the Holidays with him.
Count your blessings and your friends and know that they are the same.
This was a punch in the gut but I believe Woody will be fine. He’s young, he’s tough as nails and he has a world class support system and the best doctors in the world.
But it won’t be easy. St. Peregrine is the Patron Saint of Cancer patients.
Your prayers will be appreciated.
For Those With Cancer
O St. Peregrine,
During your lifetime you bravely
Endured the pain of cancer and
Turned to Jesus for assistance.
Today you continue to turn to Him on behalf
Of others stricken with this devastating disease.
We ask for your intercession on Woody’s behalf,
That he may find strength and, God willing, a miraculous healing.
Please also pray that a cure for cancer might be found, to relieve
Future generations of this great suffering.
Amen.