almost unbelievable...

I received some bad news yesterday... but I need to start at the beginning.

Every year for the past 11 years we have been going to Byron Bay for our summer holidays in January.  When Chloe started school 6 years ago we met a lovely family that also spends their holidays at Byron Bay and we have been spending holidays up there with them and their family since.  Their second eldest is one of Chloe's best little friends at school.  Steve and Sally are the parents, they have four beautiful children and Sally's sister Jennie and her husband Paul and their children also holiday up there and own a holiday house there.  Last January (2007) while up in Byron, Paul had been unwell.  He drove back to Sydney with Steve and went to the doctor only to received the awful news that he had cancer.  Jennie flew back home straight away and Sally and I were left with the children and tried to protect them from what was happening as much as we could.

Paul passed away in August last year.  He didn't have a good day from the day he found out the news. 

This year, Jennie wanted the family to spend Christmas at Byron Bay at their holiday home to create some happy memories out of what was a very sad time.  They all went up there only to have the same thing happen again, but this time to Sally's husband Steve.  He flew home unwell from Byron Bay and received the news he has an inoperable brain tumor.

I am shocked and devestated at this news.  How much suffering can one family take.  Sally is such a dear, special friend and her heart is broken for her husband and children.  They have been told there is nothing that can be done, only the hope of it shrinking if it responds to treatment.  Everytime I think of them I break down and cry.  It just doesn't make any sense at all. 

There are no easy answers if any answers at all.  I have seen two friends lose their husband's to cancer in the last 5 months and now a very dear friend is under that same dark cloud at the threat of losing her husband and her children losing their dad.  Worse still the children have just seen their uncle go through a very painful journey and not survive cancer so I cannot imagine the fear that this must put in their precious hearts.  Please pray that the tumor responds to treatment and shrinks and at least that gives them more time.  Even more so, pray for a miracle. 

I hope that you and your loved ones are well,

take care, Nel xo

Comments

[Linda]

Can't live be hard and puzzeling sometimes? I'm so sorry to hear about your friends. I will light a candle for them the next church I am in and keep them in my thoughts.

[petra proost]

Hello Nel,

Such sad news. I do not know what to say, other than that my heart bleeds for you and all the affected families. I wish you all the strength in the world.

Love,

Petra

[Jeanne]

I am sorry to read of your friends
God bless those lovely people real good and all their loved ones and the ones in Heaven
God will take good care of them!

Love you
Jeanne

[livesenchantment.blogspot.com]

I truley feel your pain and heart ache, I am so deaply sorry for such sadness you are all going through..I will uphold you ALL in my prayers...