My life was changed.

My life was changed the day I found out my nephew had cancer. Somehow, no matter how much the doctors kept telling us that they didn't think that's what it was, I knew. I don't know if God placed it on my heart or what, but I just had that feeling. And when it was confirmed, it was the biggest heart-wrenching feeling I have ever experienced. This news was worse than hearing any other bad news I had received in my lifetime. 

I don't have a "normal" aunt/nephew relationship with Elijah. I lived with him for about half his life, and as my sister went through some things, I was a "mom figure" to him. I helped raise him, feed him, clothe him, etc. pretty much anything a guardian would do, I've done. Until I had my own child, he was my "child". So I am much closer to him than the average aunt and nephew are. 

Maybe that's why it hit me as hard as it did. Or maybe it's just because no child deserves to hear the words "you have cancer." I mean can you imagine? I had a great childhood and never had to worry about anything really, and especially not wondering if I would die or not. 

Cancer sucks. Big time. But I am so thankful that Elijah is willing to fight. He knows he can beat cancer. And I'm so thankful he has that in his mind instead of thinking he is just automatically going to die. 

I'm thankful for chemo today. I pray that it does the job it's meant to do and kills that nastiness in his belly. We appreciate all the prayers & support coming from family, friends, and even strangers. It couldn't mean more to us.