Stop and Smell the Roses...

We got news about a week and a half ago that one of Luke's little WEE school buddies was diagnosed with Leukemia.  I have always been aware of the disease and was connected to it distantly through "friends of friends" or "someone's relative", but this was the first time as a mother that I was this close to it.  I don't know Rachel and her family well, but she and Luke have been classmates for the last 2 years, so I have heard many "Rachel" stories through out that time.  One of his sweet teachers sent me an email letting me know and within about 24 hours we were told she could have little visitors, in fact WANTED little visitors.  I was pretty vague with Luke, just explaining that she was sick and had to be in the hospital.  He wanted to go see her, so we called up his other buddy Lily and her mom and I, along with the 2 kids headed uptown to visit Rachel at Levine Children's Hospital.  

It is so surreal to walk into that beautiful building.  Everyone we saw from the front desk receptionist, to the gift shop worker, to the nurse outside her room was happy, warm and all about the kids (not just the sick one's, but the well ones too!)  Luke and Lily each got to wear a sticker badge and pick out a gift for Rachel at the gift shop.  Then we headed up to her room.

I had Luke go in first and all I heard was a loud "LUKE!" from Rachel.  She was a little feverish, so she didn't have much energy, but she still looked very happy to have someone her size visiting.  Luke and Lily walked up to her and gave her their gifts and sat down next to her and they watched cartoons together for the next 20 minutes or so, while the adults chatted.   After a while we headed out and each of the kids said good bye.  I don't think any of the kids really realized how sick Rachel was, but you know what, it didn't matter.  They had a great time playing with her toys and watching cartoons and doing "kid stuff" and for a little while Rachel got to have a little bit of normal amidst the wires and doctors and medicine.

In the week since, we have learned that Rachel is responding well to her first rounds of treatment and that she gets to be at home for now.  Her mom said she looks more like her old self.  It is a "stop and smell the roses" moment when you hear about a child that is sick, especially when you know them personally.  If you read this please pray for Rachel, for the wisdom of her doctors and for quick and pain free healing.  We serve the great physician and He is capable of total healing.  I am so grateful for 3 healthy, happy kids and don't know what tomorrow holds, but will continue to be thankful for today.