When life hands you a lemon...

How do you react when life is perfect one day and falls apart the next?

Where there's life, there's hope. This is Lander's story. As told by Dad, Logan.

In March 2019, I was listening to Lewis Howe’s podcast interviewing former NFL player Devon Still. The episode titled “Embrace Your Struggle” covered Devon’s daughter being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I broke down, thinking there is no way I could handle being dealt such a horrible hand.

On July 11, less than 4 months later, my son Lander was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer! “Dad, my pee is orange” still gives me chills. Being told my 5 year old son has cancer hurts. I am scarred and my heart is completely broken for my baby. The pain he is going to endure isn’t fair.

When Lander’s journey started, the feeling of doom and complete despair still haunts me. As a solemn-faced group of unknown Doctors walked into our ER room on July 12, I knew the information we were about to receive was not good.

Your son has cancer. The worst moment of my life...I couldn’t breathe. Everything felt like it was closing in on me. Those feelings were experienced again when we confirmed the kidney cancer was Wilms, were told he had a tumor in his chest and scans showing an anomaly in his neck. Cancer had spread and he was considered stage 4. A term that strikes fear into anyone that hears it especially when being said about your child.

These have been the hardest times of my life but I am so thankful for the lessons learned. The strength of a child is one of the most amazing things. The giving, caring nature of people is a blessing. Beating cancer requires fighting on many fronts - medically, nutritionally, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and even environmentally. Constantly feeding our minds with a positive fighter mentality has made a huge difference for us.

There is no preparation possible for being in this situation. The ups and downs are extreme. The challenges unbelievable. Why do we go through these challenges? Why is it that as soon as things are going good the wheels fall off?

Nothing will get your attention like being told your child has cancer. I believe these moments allow us to grow and learn. Getting perspective on what matters, learning to forgive and let go of the past and gaining a new lens in which to strive to help others are blessings I truly cherish. Those things have changed my life in such positive ways. I’ve wronged others and have been wronged, clung to my anger, and let it fester into hate. One cannot serve God and have hate in one’s heart. I’ve forgiven all perceived wrong done to me. I’ve let go of it all. It doesn’t matter.

We don’t always have the luxury of choosing what happens to us but how we react is in our control. Whatever you’re going through take it a moment at a time and focus on the positive. You don’t have to have everything figured out. A day, hour or even minute at a time... Just try to do your best. Focusing on the blessings that fill our lives and embracing the struggle. Challenges build us more than anything.

I am blessed to have Lander show me true strength and to have a front row seat to God's grace. Lander is in God’s hands and we have full faith in a miraculous full recovery without the typical harsh side effects of treatments.

The babies fighting such a disease have a tenacity and a God-given will to endure. Kids with cancer are indeed superheroes.

You can follow Lander’s amazing progress on Facebook.

Please do share this post - there's certainly one person in your sphere that may be encouraged :)

Your fellow Rookie Parent,

Logan

Logan and his family live in Arkansas, US. He is a Partner at Me and McGee Market; a family owned business focused on local products including produce, meats and eggs. Me and McGee market