Our Lans - Flashback February 1, 2011

Lans, I was going through my personal blog and found several posts from last year on you. We were so optimistic. What was our alternative? We could never imagine life without you. The morning you passed away your mom said, "You know, I still wonder if she can pull through this. If it were anyone else I would probably say no. But if anyone can, it's Ilana." And that's just how we felt. And it was as it was supposed to be- you only wanted to hope and believe.

My blog post from February 1, 2011

Since the birth of baby Andrew my sister-in-law Ilana has been struggling with what we thought was a rocky recovery. Just days after Andrew was born Lans felt like her leg was limp and then within days the same leg had hypersensitivity and pain. The symptoms have worsened to where her entire body is in so much pain she couldn't move and through with a shaky teary voice she told me she "couldn't even pick up Matthew."

Today brought answers . . . and more questions. Lana has Lymphoma. Cancer. Further tests are being run tomorrow and we should know what stage cancer on Thursday. Fortunately Lymphoma is one of the most treatable cancers there is, especially when you are young . . .which she is.

It's been an emotional day. But now it is the end of the day and my tears are of gratitude for a sister-in-law who loves my brother better than anyone could, gratitude for her always sunny optimism through the numerous horrible trials they have endured together, gratitude for the exceptional life she continues to live - she loves and she works.

Faith casts out fear. I know that anything is possible through Christ. Six months from now we'll be remission partying.