I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
Today is a day of thanksgiving for all Americans. Just like many, I have a great family, love my girls and wife, have a decent job, and love where I live. My church home is fantastic, and the number of friends I have is ever growing. We celebrated as family today. However, through all the good things I have been blessed with, this has been one of the most trying years of my life.
November 18, 2014, my mother in law was rushed to the ER, after complaining of pain in her abdomen. It was soon found that she had polyps, which turned out to be uterine cancer. December 16, she had her gall bladder, lymph nodes, and a total hysterectomy performed. December 30 the pathology reports were returned and her cancer is a stage 2 uterine cancer. She will be going through chemo and 3 rounds of Chemo and maybe 6 weeks of radiation therapy.
January 17, Marilu had a port put in and had her first round of chemotherapy today, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. She had a reaction to the Taxol, and the doctor had to administer epinephrine. They put her on another drug, which worked fine, with no side issues.
This was my Facebook entry on February 9th:
February 9, 2015 - This brave woman continues to smile. She endured hours of chemo today, and tomorrow she starts 30 days of radiation therapy. It makes me proud to know her.
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
March 27, she had her last radiation treatment. April 6, she had her last chemo, so she is now a bell ringer. Blood transfusion tomorrow. She’s a fighter, and I’m proud to be her fav son-in-law.
As a side note, Sarah had arthoscopic surgery, for a torn meniscus, on April 16, and came through with flying colors.
May 5, 2015 - (Kim's entry) Today is my mom's last day of radiation. Yesterday, she had a ct scan that was clear of any cancer. We have been so blessed...we celebrated with lunch at Olive Garden and frozen custard at Bobby's. Through this battle I am amazed that going over to Barnes at the break of dawn has brought us closer. It is true that you find out who really cares when you go through a crisis.
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
May 6th, Kim fell at CVS, and hit her head on a concrete parking barrier. She was taken, by ambulance, to the ER. The good news is that they found no concussion, but she hurts constantly, and has muscle spasms.
The hits keep coming: May 19, after continued headaches, slurred speech, and balance issues, Kim took Marilu to Barnes, for more tests. She is soon admitted, after finding another tumor, this one on her brain, the size of a small egg.
May 22 - Its my birthday, but at Barnes Hospital, Marilu is undergoing surgery to have the mass removed from her brain. But, after surgery, Marilu remembers to have Kim wish me "Happy Birthday". On June 16, she saw the brain specialist and oncologist. At this point, my mother in law had endured 4 rounds of chemo and 42 radiation treatments.
July 4, we celebrated another anniversary of our Country's independence. Just 24 hours later, my sister in law, Melissa King, admitted she needed help. It was a cry out that we realized, as we battled more demons in her life, a dependence and situation she couldn't battle alone.
July 21, 2015 - Marilu again celebrated, by ringing the bell, signalling the end of treatment for this round of cancer.
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
On August 8, we were called early by Kim's dad. During the previous night, Melissa was rushed to the hospital, due to an overdose. Her demons finally won out, as she died that day. We were crushed, as we came to the realization that we would never see her again, this side of Eternity. Lissa, we miss you.
Melissa Ann King, 42, of Brighton, died at 12:03 p.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2015, at Alton Memorial Hospital. Cremation shall take place and no services are scheduled at this time.
September 8, my stepmom, Elaine Lachner, was admitted to Alton Memorial, due to a lost of blood, and coughing up some. Just 24 hours later, Kim's dad, Ken King, was cleaning windows in his garage, while standing on a ladder. He slipped and fell, and was transported to Barnes Hospital, with 2 broken ribs, a broken collar bone, stitches on his elbow, and damage to one of his thumbs.
September 10, Elaine appeared to be stabilizing. We thought that the toughness she exuded all those times before would win out. We held out hope, prayers were said, but after a long night of some laughter and tears, we gathered around as she gave her last breath.
Esther E. Lachner, 67, passed away at 11:42am on Friday, September 11, 2015, at Alton Memorial Hospital.
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
Yet, in the midst of all this, bright lights emerged.
September 24, 2015:Today both of my girls participated in CU@ThePole. Kim Lachner and I have never forced religion of any kind on them. But it makes my heart swell when I realize that maybe we did this right, in spite of arguments, harsh words, and many tears over them. I love Sarah Lachner and Elizabeth Lachner.
We have celebrated birthdays, graduations, and even a few anniversaries. It has been a long year, and one might question if we still had that faith to sustain us as a family, on both sides. Through it all, we have cried, hugged, and shared memories. We are still family, and are grateful to have shared the time we have.
My father admits to talking to Elaine, even though she isn't there, and still has moments of weeping. My father in law is still feeling the effects of his fall, and may have surgery still, to correct some issues. My mother in law remains so strong. She has been given a clean bill of health, and is getting stronger every day. We grieve, yet, we continue to make it thru each day, with knowledge that we have each other.
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I thank you all for kindness, love, support, and prayers. Even more I thank my God.
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
