The one where I seriously beg for your prayers/good wishes

I know that we usually keep things light around these parts, but this post is a bit serious and not funny at all.

On Friday, I got two of the worst pieces of news I’ve ever received, EVER.

First of all, my dad was diagnosed with skin cancer on Friday. As I’ve shared before, my dad and I are incredibly, incredibly close. At this point, we’re in a bit of a holding pattern. Tomorrow, he’ll go in for a CAT scan, in which they’ll determine if it’s spread. While what he has is a slower-moving, not-as-scary type of cancer, it’s still cancer, and this particular patch of skin has been there for quite some time without being checked. There are concerns of whether or not it’s spread, particularly to his lungs. We should have some more results soon, but until that point, it’s almost scarier: we don’t have a plan, we don’t know what’s going on, and we don’t know how to help.

At this point, my mom, brother, dad and I are just trying to stay strong and positive. I can’t go to the “bad place”—it is so scary to imagine what could happen next, or what could unfold over the next few months. My family is incredibly close-knit, something I’m so grateful for. The four of us have dealt with tough times before, but this seems so big and so scary. All of us are trying to keep upbeat, but I know that there are moments when I dissolve into tears, and I know the rest of them are experiencing the same thing. It’s just so scary.

Secondly, my mom’s mom, my grandma Carol, is in the hospital with E. Coli and colitis. While neither of those things sound particularly daunting, she is not doing well. There are concerns about her kidneys, she is incoherent and it’s touch and go. My grandma is another person I am incredibly close to, and is one of the biggest supports in my life. Things are not looking good, and we are hoping and praying she starts to show signs of improvement soon, as this is life-threatening at this point. She is another person I can’t imagine my life without, and this feels like a sick joke.

My step-grandmother, Nancy, was also diagnosed with breast cancer last week, and we are in the process of figuring out how serious her illness is, and what her course of treatment is. Though she is far away in Arizona, we were already worried, concerned and scared for her.

So, blog friends. I am so serious. If you are a prayer, a wisher, a lighter of candles, a good vibes person…WHATEVER, would you do me the favor of remembering my family? My brother and I need my daddy and my grandma; my mom needs her husband and her mom. My words don’t do the value of these people in my life justice…I literally cannot imagine my life without them in it. I beg you: please, please, please, please, please. We are hoping and praying for strength for my dad and grandmothers, wisdom for the doctors treating them, and strength for those of us trying to be helpful and strong along the way.

I would be so grateful—this community offers so much support, and I would be so thankful for any good things you could send our way.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.