The blog is serving two purposes these days. Trying to come up with a way to post about food for the foodie followers, and simultaneously give a personal update on my mom’s cancer to our friends, has been a bit of a challenge.  Fortunately, the writing has been a pleasant distraction from the otherwise heavy thoughts that keep running through my mind. I think God gave me some extra clarity yesterday: “When life hands you lemons, choose kale and eggs instead” was a post I created on Instagram.  For me, it means when circumstances are crappy, find a way to choose joy and count your blessings. For some circumstances it will take longer than others, so please don’t interpret this as some kind of “be happy right now, no matter what your situation.” No. This is about looking deeper than your circumstances, when you’re ready, to find your true joy. Joy that, for me, only comes from an unexplainable peace that God is granting to me. He has granted it quickly for me, but that is not to say yours will come so quickly. The cancer of a child or spouse will look differently than dealing with the cancer of a parent. Everyone must take their own journey when dealing with the explosion of emotions as a loved one suffers, but when and where you can, choose joy. Choosing local organic kale and pastured eggs and fermented homemade sauerkraut is another great choice, but on a different level. So here’s the update for those who want to know:

The oncologist told her it is Stage 4. Incurable. Radiation would do more harm than good and operating is out of the question. The pancreas and liver are covered in tumors. Chemotherapy was his only suggestion, and he urged her to start immediately. She starts tomorrow. Three weeks on, one week off, then do it again. Then blood tests to see if any progress has been made. If the doctor gave her any time frame for how long she’s “got”, mom did not share that with me. I suppose I wouldn’t want to tell my kids that news either if I ever heard it. Emotions as I process this are strange and surreal and I’m not even going to try to explain them here in this post, probably not ever on the internet. It’s too much for me to try to express, for now anyway. We appreciate your prayers for mom as she faces what’s ahead, and for the family as we love her through this valley. This tapestry looks pretty ugly from this side, but I know there’s another beautiful side being woven by the Creator Himself. He has never failed me; I praise Him still. NOT because of my circumstances, but because of who He is. For I know WHOM I have believed and am convinced He is able, 1Timothy 1:12

Choosing Joy and Encouraging Health,

Dana