I Love Projects

When I found out the date my mom would be starting chemo I hated not being able to do anything, especially being that I was 4 hours away from her. I love arts and crafts but unfortunately don't get to let my creative side loose very often. I figured this would be a perfect time to start a project. Never having experienced chemo personally I didn't know what to expect or how to best help my mom. I tried to put myself in her shoes and think, "What would I want to do for 3 hours while sitting in the chair?" That started a panic in me...3 hours sitting! No thank you! She needed something unexpected to take her mind off things. So, I came up with the idea below. I am including the email I sent to anyone I could think of: family, friends (of my parents, myself and my sister's friends as my parents love our friends), coworkers, church friends, random facebook friends, etc. I even feel like I turned into a bit of a stalker trying to track down some people through friends of friends. Anyways, it all turned out. I know I probably left some people out and I am so sorry if you were one of those people. My mom also asked me about several people who I realized I did not contact. So, I am adding a round two. If you want to add something, please let me know!! The more I can add the more she will have to read as her treatments continue. I have been blown away by the response to this project. If you ever know of anyone or have a relative go through something like this I highly recommend this project!!!

Here it goes:

As many of you already know my mom is currently fighting her second battle with breast cancer. Thankfully the Lord has once again given her a great prognosis and nothing more than she can handle with the support of those who love her. She is scheduled to begin her first chemo treatment on Wednesday, August 24. Throughout the last couple of months she has been incredibly upbeat and has had such a possitive attitude. I know as time gets closer to her treatment she is getting a little more anxious about what the chemo experience will be like and how she will handle it.

As a way to remind her of all the people praying for her and thinking of her as she begins this new adventure I am putting together an encouragement book for her. I am hoping for messages (short, long, a bible verse, an encouraging quote, a letter, song lyrics, whatever you feel in your heart) to include in the book for her to read during her first chemo treatment and I am sure it will accompany her to the other treatments as well. Hopefully the words of family, friends, coworkers, and all of those people who have influenced and continue to impact my mom's life will help keep her focus off of her treatment and on all the positive thoughts and prayers being sent her way. If you would like to have something put in this book I would love to include you! You can email me your message or send it via snail mail. I am including my address at the end of this message. My request is that I receive all messages by Saturday, August 20 (sorry this isn't much notice) so that I can have the book properly assembled before I travel to Nashville for her treatment next Wednesday. I am hoping to keep this a secret so please try not to say anything to her if possible.

Thank you all for the impact you have on my mom, all the kind words that you have sent to her already, and for the prayers and positive thoughts. She is incredibly lucky to have such an incredible support group! There may have been people I left off accidentally or did not know to include. Please feel free to forward this information on...the more people the merrier!

Thank you!

Amanda Brantley and family
ambrantley@gmail.com

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20

(I left off my address for the sake of the blog...don't want ALL of my personal information floating around)

And it was a total surprise...she had no idea!!! Great job everyone for not letting the secret out!