Here I am, my second post in a day. Maybe I should do homework. Maybe not.

Anyway, I am going to write a little bit today about something that has been on my mind quite a lot lately.

I have a fourteen year old cousin named Kayla. Kayla has always been one of the sweetest people I know. I remember when she was born, and it has just been a huge blessing (not to mention really fun) to have grown up with her all this time. We got to be in Young Women together, with a couple of fun years at girls’ camp and many a game of puffy poo at family reunions and such. Also, I always felt like she thought I was cool, which always helps a person’s case with me.

Anyway, Kayla and her family are very special to me and I just love that girl so much. Recently, we found out that Kayla had ovarian cancer. It was a huge shock, because she has always been so healthy and had no signs of being sick. As far as I know she was just in for a routine check-up when the doctor advised them to go see an oncologist and they quickly removed the tumor. 19 cm. 19 cm of a very rare type of ovarian cancer. There was no sign that the cancer spread, but because of the size of the treatment and the unpredictability of these types of cancer cells, they have recommended chemotherapy to assure that any cancer cells that may be lurking around are eliminated. She starts treatment this Friday.

From what I hear and what I saw when I was home, Kayla is handling this beautifully. When she first found out she’d be getting chemo, she put her facebook status as, “Kayla gets to start looking for some flippin’ sweet hats.” That is typical sunshiny Kayla! But it has been (and will continue to be) an emotional journey for all of us. But I have faith that it will also be a spiritual journey, bringing her and her family, as well as our extended family and friends, closer to each other and closer to God. The Young Women and Relief Society in our home ward are organizing a hat shower, where we can bring her hats, scarves, earrings, etc. The Young Women, along with Mama, Grandma, and probably many others, are also doing a sort of friendship bracelet thing, where we will have six bracelets (one for each of the chemotherapy treatments Kayla will have) beginning on our left hands. As she completes each treatment, we will move one bracelet to our right hands. Hopefully Kayla knows that, though we cannot truly understand what she is going through, we are also looking forward to the day when she does not have to endure that again. That will be our little way of supporting her through this trying time.

If you know Kayla, and even if you don’t, please remember her and her family in your prayers. The Lord is and will continue taking care of them; of that much we are certain. Our Savior, too, has borne that burden, that pain, and that fear, and He will carry them through.