care pages is a website that connects you with loved ones that are coping with illness. i frequently check care pages of patients that UJE supports. i've also been following kate mcrae's carepage. as i was reading tonight, i was reminded of the horrific events that happen within the walls of a hospital. not that everything is horrific inside, but as i read the carepages of parents that are watching their children cling to life, it breaks my heart. suffering is something i do not understand. i mean, we all suffer at some times in our lives. does it ever seem that some end up suffering more than others though? kate was diagnosed with a brain tumor 6 months ago. they've performed surgery, given her treatments, sent her home, re-admitted her, and the story continues to unfold. her mom holly wrote today that this is day 6 of transplant. she mentions in the care page that the next round of chemo will begin today for kate. this round is excreted through the skin. kate will have to shower every 6 hours for 3 days straight. even during the night. they change her clothes, linens and dressings every 6 hours. kate's mom mentions that she will begin to wear gloves whenever she wants to touch her daughter. she said she'll miss rubbing her newly growing hair, and kissing the top of her head. my heart sunk upon reading her words when she said this... "the thought that we are giving her body something so strong that i shouldn't even touch her bare skin while she gets it, is well, unbelievable."

i've never been through something like this. i cannot even begin to imagine for one moment what it would be like to be in their shoes. i experienced the loneliness of a hospital for a mere 6 days. i cannot imagine the strength that it would take to be there for the length that they have been there. God's plans are larger than we will ever know and His strength is certainly ours. we just need to tap into it and receive it.

my heart goes out to this family. watching their faith, strength, and trust has strengthened me. please join me in praying for this family.