A YEAR AGO TODAY

It's been a while since I've posted. It seems that I've been caught in a whirlwind...busy at work, busy with life. You all know how it goes. Nonetheless, I've neglected my blog. I can't promise I won't do it again but I do promise to catch you up on anything worth sharing. :)

It was a year ago today. My brother-in-law Henry had been experiencing headaches for a few weeks now. He had gone to the doctor and they put him on medication in hopes that it would relieve the pain throbbing in his head. It didn't...they simply made him drowsy and after waking up, he would still have the same headache he'd been feeling for days on end. After his insurance approved it, he finally went in on April 16th, 2007 to have an MRI done. After he had it done, he was told to go back home and wait for the results. When the hospital called him back, he was told to go back in. However, the doctor advised him to have someone else drive him there. Since my sister was at work, he asked a neighbor to drive him there. My sister met him there as soon as she could. It was on this day, one year ago today, that my dear brother-in-law was told they had found a large mass in his brain. I will never forget the call I received. I didn't know the extent of what they had found but after my husband and I picked up my mom, all three of us were on our way to the hospital.

He had to have surgery the next day to remove the tumor. After removing it, they would be able to tell us more about the type of tumor it was. I remember getting to the hospital, my heart pounding as we walked down the halls. I turned the corner and saw my sister. She immediately broke down into tears and I remember telling her that he was going to be okay. I truly felt that in my heart. He was getting more MRI's done so it was a while before we got to see him. When we finally did, I will never forget how he looked. You see, Henry has the type of personality that doesn't let anything get him down. I've known him since I was 13 years old....13 years old. He's seen me grow up. He's not only my sister's husband...he's my brother. When I saw him in his room, I remember telling him that he was going to be okay. His reponse..."I know" accompanied with a big grin. That's Henry.

On April 17th, 2007 Henry had surgery to remove the mass in his brain. My sister Erika and I, along with Henry's sisters, were all there to stand by my sister's side. The surgery lasted about 3-4 hours. I remember when the neurosurgeon walked out in his long white coat, my sister jumped up to go speak to him. The surgery had gone very well. They had been able to remove 95% of the tumor. On that day, the doctor told us that my dear brother-in-law Henry had glioblastoma.

It was a long road to recovery. After his time in the ICU, he was sent to a rehabilitation center. He went through 6 weeks of radiation and is still going through his rounds of chemotherapy. But I'm happy to say that he is doing so, so well. He's been through so much and never once has he let this diagnosis bring him down. That's Henry. I still know in my heart that he's going to be fine. I see Henry with us for many, many, many more years to come. I see him growing old with my sister and enjoying their grandchildren together. I never, ever thought my family would be struck with cancer...but I guess no one does. But if anyone can get through this, it's Henry. Because that's just the way he is.

I thank God every day for allowing us to get this far in Henry's journey. But on this day, I especially thank God for Henry's continued health. I pray to God every day that Henry goes into remission and that this journey of his will simply be a memory to us.

I love you my dear Henry. You're amazing and are truly my inspiration.