March 27th

March 27th. It’s not a day that is circled on the calendar, it’s definitely not a special occasion but it’s a day that is forever embedded in my brain and can’t be forgotten. It is the day we found out Jenna had a brain tumor….6 years ago. I am amazed at how vivid that day remains in my memories. Heck, I can’t remember things from a week ago but I have such clear and precise memories from March 27, 2004. We were talking about this when I was away with the girls a couple weekends ago. Fancy was one of the first people I called….we weren’t really “friends” at that time…we were in the same Sunday school class at church and sort of “knew” each other. But she came to mind and she’s the one I called to get the prayers started. Looking back it was obviously a total “God thing”—couldn’t live without her now and the things she did for us in the early days and throughout Jenna’s fight would take pages to cover. Fancy was one of the first people at the hospital that evening—ok, I can’t remember what she was wearing (I’m sure it was fancy) but I do remember her carrying her bible with her. Another thing she did was to send out emails with updates….and she didn’t pull any punches in her emails. She was quick to tell people that they didn’t need to bring us “stuff” at the hospital because we didn’t have anywhere to keep it and didn’t need to be dragging it around with us. (Jenna was in ICU so no where to put stuff). Loved it—because it was so true. Her emails became famous…forwarded all over the place. Lucy’s mom even told me once “If anything ever happens to me, I want Laura to send out emails for me”. Little did we know she would receive her own cancer diagnosis……which brought her wonderful daughter Lucy into my life. We could relate on so many things during the fight and now with the losses of her mom and Jenna.
So many other people go thru my mind as I think of the 27th. Edith standing in the room with her pen and paper, writing down names and phone numbers of people to call for us. And she called them religiously to keep them in the loop. Sherri, Glenda, & Karla…..who came to visit the next morning. I think they were in worse shape than me.  Met Dr. G for the first time that morning....I couldn't even process that he was an Oncologist at that time--wasn't even thinking that way. (confirmation would come in the wee hours after the emergency surgery) Then there was Morgan’s first visit to the hospital with the grandparents. I can remember Jenna opening her eyes and giving them all a little wave and smile before going back to sleep (morphine for pain had her sleeping a lot). We were all so numb….no other way to describe it.
I could go on and on and on…..this post actually started out in my mind as sort of a “pity party”. I was feeling down about the day and all the memories that I was being flooded with……but now after writing this I am feeling better. I’m feeling blessed to have all these people mentioned in my life (and believe me there are so many more—these are just the ones on my mind and heart this morning) and thankful that God placed each of them in my path on the 27th & 28th of March 2004. (or in the days afterward). You never how God will use people or events in your life. I think he was looking out for me with each of these people….love you guys!
Tricia