An Unexpected Wake-Up Call

This was published in my son's school newsletter. I am hoping you get as much from it as I did and realize don't ever take even the smallest thing for granted.

An Unexpected Wake-up Call

Unexpected situations happen in life all the time and they can be life altering and make you realize more than you thought. Some aren't as dramatic as others, but for the person it happens to, it can be a big deal. It could be anything from a shoe breaking at a school dance, to something life changing, like a family member being sick or dying. Although things like this happen, we all have to get through them.

Last year, my family was put in a situation that we never would have thought would happen. In Oct. ‘07 my dad was diagnosed with cancer of the head and neck. My family never, ever saw this coming, my dad never got sick, not even with just a head cold. We knew we could get through it. We just knew it would be a long, hard journey.

When he was diagnosed, the Dr. said that it wouldn't be as bad as it could have been, because he was always so healthy and active. He said that it would be over in a few short months and nothing would get too bad. I wish he were right.

He started treatment around the beginning of Dec. and the side effects weren't bad for a few weeks. Around Christmas is when it started to get the worst. It got to where he couldn't eat big meals without getting sick, and he couldn't go to work for long amounts of time because he would get so tired. The last solid food he had was his New Years day meal, black-eyed peas, ham, and a roll.

His eating situation got so bad that he couldn't eat any solid food without getting sick. Because of that, he wasn't getting any protein, causing the treatment to take a harder toll on him, making him sicker. It got to the point to where he had to go to the hospital and have a feeding tube inserted to his stomach. For those who don't know a feeding tube is attached to the outside of your stomach leading to the inside. The patient receives the food by pouring a liquid down the tube so it can enter the stomach and digest.

He had the tube for the rest of treatment and some time afterwards. After he received the feeding tube, it got easier. He was gaining some health back and was able to do a small amount more than just sit. That definitely doesn't mean he was better.

For the next couple months, he did the same thing every day; sit, eat, go to treatment, and sleep. It was so hard to see who I thought was the strongest man in the world come crashing down to where he was as helpless as a four month old. In life, we all have privileges, friends, time, and even family that we take for granted. I never thought about how lucky I was to have two healthy, loving, caring parents that were always there for me. I know that not everyone is in that situation, but it's not just parents, we should all be thankful for any guardians we have.

My dad ended treatment last Apr. and was named cancer free in May of last year. He is now back at work, eating normal food and living the normal life he had before. Although it was a bad situation, my family is now closer and is always happy to see him with us at the dinner table.

The whole experience made me realize how lucky I was to have the life that I did. I wasn't happy with what I had; I could always find something to complain about. Something I know and admit I did, and what many other people do every day, was taking for granted what I had until it was nearly taken from me. I regret taking my dad for granted more than anything else. I know now that I should always be happy with what I have, no matter how small of a thing it is. Because no matter how big or small a situation is, most likely, it can always get worse.

By: Ashton Ray; 8^th Grade

Julie ,
HO W TRUE that is ..We never know from one day to the next what will come into play in our lives.
I too , almost lost my life a couple years ago and all started with a spider bite. I ended up on life support , total shut down and was on dialysis.. GOD needed me here though at 100% and although my Dr's all said I wouldnt ever recover , but if by miracle i did, I would only have 30% kidney function.
They just didnt know how great a DR my GOD IS I guess because that same year , I was back 100% ..
Yes , indeed , we can think we have troubles, then troubles really let you see what troubles can be.
Thanks for the reminder of how precious life really is .
Hugs and Blessings
Shirley

Such wisdom in someone so young.