Survival

I realize I am behind in my 30 day challenge. I needed to take a hiatus for a little while. A lot has happened in the past week and a half, I needed some time to process it all.

Two and a half weeks ago, I found out a dear friend, Christine, who serves in the Young Womens with me was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was diagnosed around the beginning of April after doctors found a tumor the size of a cantaloupe on her ovary. She had to have a full hysterectomy in order to remove most of the cancer. They got all that they could, and only about 5 mm was left in her body. As a single woman with no children, this was devastating for her. She was in the hospital for two weeks recovering before she was allowed to go home and get strong enough to go through chemo and radiation. I was told all of this information on Wednesday April 20. She went home on April 22 and we told all the girls in young women what was going on on Sunday. On Monday the 25th, a nurse came to her home to check up on her. Her vitals were so bad, that she had to be transported back to the hospital where doctors found that the cancer had spread to her liver and lungs. On Tuesday I received an email saying that if anyone wanted to come see her, they should do so quickly, as the doctors didn't know how much time she had left. All the young women found out about this and wanted to go see her, but it would have been too overwhelming for her. Instead, all the girls sent me a text and asked me to meet them for some frozen yogurt and hugs. Of course they were all devastated with the news of Christine's rapidly deteriorating condition, but it's amazing what a comfort the plan of salvation is. Christine passed away peacefully in the hospital on Wednesday April 27th. I was heartbroken at the news, but honestly I felt a little bit of relief simply because I knew that she didn't have to suffer anymore. She had completed her mission here on Earth and the Lord needed her elsewhere. Christine was 37 years old. She was such a wonderful spirit and she lit up every room she went in. She was obsessed with all things University of Texas related, and she loved princesses. She had quite the impressive collection of tiaras and princess gear. She had recently lost quite a bit of weight (80 pounds!) and was really trying to look for her eternal companion. All the young women decided that her "hot firefighter husband" was waiting for her in heaven. I totally agree with them.

On top of dealing with all that, I had my last two weeks of school ever and all the stress that goes along with that. Projects, presentations, comprehensive exams, my master's recital, and opera performances all made my to-do list very long. I didn't know how I would be able to do it, but I did it! My last day of school was yesterday and it feels wonderful to be done. My recital went really well! My parents as well as my in-laws were able to come for it which was really great. I was really happy with how it turned out. All that's left for me now is one last lesson on Monday and graduation on the 21st! Less than three weeks and I will once again be a citizen of Utah!