Why, God, Why?

The gifts were bought and wrapped and I'd even made shortbread cookies and attended two Christmas concerts. I was beginning to relax and look forward to a lovely Christmas with both my girls, the older one's husband and their little boy.

Then I received a call from younger daughter last Friday just around dinner time.

"Mom, I'm in so much pain I can hardly stand up. I need to go to Emergency."

Long story short, she has been diagnosed with a huge mass on her right ovary and they can't rule out cancer.

We've had quite a week so far. The diagnosis was Monday night and we were both in such shock that she slept over at my place. Tuesday, we sat around all day waiting for the specialist to phone. His office didn't call until Wednesday morning, instructing her to go to the cancer clinic on Friday at 2:00 pm. Be prepared for 2 to 3 hours of further tests and a consultation with an oncologist.

This is the same daughter who had such a difficult summer but had finally been able to move on with her life, get her own apartment, and go back to work. So I can't help but ask, "Why God? Why?"

So tomorrow we go and find out whether we should be prepared for ovarian cancer or a simple but hideously huge and painful benign tumor. And we'll probably find out when the surgery will take place, most likely right after New Year's.

It's hard at any time of year to go through anything like this, but at this time of year when there is so much celebrating going on, I think it's a bit harder.

I have to stay strong for my daughter and try to overcome this constant nausea that has hit me. I have to look on the positive and pray for the least horrible outcome.

After the initial shock, my daughter has decided to prepare for the worst and anything better than that will be a relief. She has even named her "growth" and has been able to put a humorous spin on things. That's pretty brave for a single 27-year-old who wants children some day. Good for her!

Urgent prayers are greatly needed and greatly appreciated.