Wednesday, September 5, 2012

A different path

Madeleine’s Blog

September 5, 2012
So do not fear, for I am with you
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God
I will strengthen you and help you
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
Isaiah 41:10

Encouragement in this journey can come in a lot of different forms, and from a variety of sources. Previously, I've mentioned some of the many encouragements we've experienced from others - meals, fundraisers, gifts, cards, and more - but I want to mention a different type of encouragement that happened recently.

"So happy for each and every day"
One of the difficult things about being a new high school grad with lots of ambition (and a cancer diagnosis) is to have to put your life "on hold" while going through chemo. From one week to the next, you can't really predict how you're going to feel or even what the treatment will look like. Watching all your friends go off to college, while having to cancel your own classes (again), can be a little difficult.

In the midst of all this, Madeleine had a discussion with one of her former teachers from Montgomery High School. His suggestion? Why not register for online university classes with BYU - where (unlike other options she had been considering) you have a whole year to do the work, there is full accreditation, and the cost is reasonable. His other suggestion? Since she loves working with children (but her doctor said that she needs to pretty much avoid being around kids because of the risk of infection)...why not look into opportunities to go and work with kids who also have cancer?

Here is Madeleine's Facebook post after her discussion with him:
So happy right now, finally going to start taking a class, and working on finding a way to visit sick kids with cancer. Feels great to have some things to look forward to!
So, she has registered now and is waiting for her books to come in so that she can get started on her first class. Of course, if you know Madeleine, you know that she would love to register for several classes...but she is holding back and registering for just one right now. If she feels great and can get it done early, then she can always sign up for more.

Encouragement doesn't always come in material form - sometimes it comes from people with ideas that help us to find a way around the things that seem to be immovable obstacles in our lives.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's awesome! Miss seeing you and your mom!!

Amanda Vaughan said...

Way to go Madeleine! I'm a fan! So proud of you!

Mildred Hodges said...

A story: Your grandmother, Pat Bean tutored my grand daughter who has dyslexia. She is now in her first year of internship, graduated as a Doctor this past fall. Over comers are everywhere, dear Madeleine. Takes lots of hard work - but is done. Praying for you. Mildred Hodges

Dave Cindy said...

What a Great Surprise to get out of the car this morning heading for Nina's class and see your Smile round the corner! Whooo Hooo I said inside or did I say it out loud!!! LOL Dave and I were so Happy to see you and to give you a Big HUG!!! Love you our Sweet Girl! You keep up all the Great things you are doing! We are sending all the Healing Loving Karma your way! XO Dave & Cindy You have a very special Auntie to write your blog she does an amazing job at keeping us posted with details.