This is a super emotional week for me. Filled with highs, lows, and uncertainty.
Tomorrow my brother, Bret, goes in for some major surgery to remove his thyroid and 130 lymph nodes from his neck. I can’t even put into words what I’m feeling right now. It was just a couple weeks ago that we found out that he was diagnosed with Stage 4a Medullary Thyroid Cancer, and since then the pouring out of support and love for my brother has been overwhelming.
I want to tell you a little bit about my brother. He joined the United States Air Force back in 2000. I believe he was just 19 years old at the time. I was very sad to see my brother shipped off to boot camp, but also extremely happy to be able to drive his 68 Mustang Fastback for a few months while he was away… those were the days. 🙂 He was stationed in Tucson, Arizona, luckily not too far from our home town of Phoenix, Arizona. It was just two years later that Bret made the best decision of his life.
He married my sister-in-law, Erin.
Bret and Erin were transferred to England for a few years, and while they lived there they welcomed two amazing children into this world. After England they were lucky enough to be moved right back to Arizona and were stationed at Luke Air Force base for several years. After a few years in the desert they welcomed their third child to their family. Just recently (this past April) they were transferred once again, but this time to Colorado Springs, where my brother is still currently serving.
But through all this time, even from waaaay back in the beginning, there was always one constant.
My brother’s undying love for the Arizona Cardinals. I’m talking, die-hard. Season tickets, custom license plates, sports memorabilia, decked out game rooms in his house, you name it. Through thick and thin my brother has always been a fan.
So when all this cancer crap started happening one of his friends knew exactly what to do.
Rise Up Toliver.
“Rise Up, Red Sea” is the mantra for the Arizona Cardinals, and “Rise Up” is the mantra that we are all using to support Bret during his surgery tomorrow and for the weeks of recovery to follow. Just like the mythical Phoenix who rises whole from his ashes, we know that Bret will rise up and defeat this.
I’m so incredibly grateful to his friend who probably spent hours, if not days, working on making these bracelets for my family and my brother’s friends. I’ll be wearing red tomorrow, you can too if you want! 🙂
I’ll be sure to keep you guys posted on what happens next. All your prayers and positive thoughts are always welcome and much appreciated.
Love – Shawn
Pumpkin Cheesecake Pudding Cookies
Myra
Keeping you, your brother and all your family in our prayers that God gives Bret healing and all of you strength and comfort during this difficult time. God bless.
Karen
The bracelets are very nice.
Such a hard thing to deal with,for your family and friends.
I do hope the treatments work.
wendy
Dear Shawn,I have strong positive healing thoughts for your brother Bret and your family.Remember GOD only gives us what he thinks we can handle.Hugs!
Terri
Love Bret & Erin! Will wear my bracelet until he beats this!
Julia D.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong and RISE UP!
maryannkeno
I just had a chance to read your blog today,,,I am so sorry to hear about your brother, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,,,be strong and RISE UP! love and peace to you, wearing red tomorrow, as are my coworkers!
Kathy Bickley
You and your family are in my prayers. I will wear red tomorrow. Stay strong I’m sure he will pull through.
Renee
RISE UP!!! Gods healing hands over your brother as he goes forward. Prayers for the doctors and all that surround him during surgery…
Pam
My daughter, grandson, & I will be wearing red tomorrow. I will be thinking of Shawn & and praying for his recovery………..A great tribute, love the bracelet..
Rise Up!
CTY
May God continue to bless Bret and see him through his recovery.
Heather
So sweet, and what a tribute those bracelets are!
Kate @ Diethood
You are all in my prayers, Shawn! I pray that he will come through this and I wish him a very speedy recovery!!
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig
I am so, so sorry. I wish him all the best and am sending you all my positive thoughts and energy. Love you.
Beth
Dear Shawn, I prayed for your brother and your family in Church. I pray that Bret will come through this and be healed. He has everything to live for – a wife, three small children and a family who loves him so very much! Thank you Shawn for everything YOU do for us! May you have Peace.
Beth
P.S. Please keep us posted
Kathy g
Thinking of you and your whole family. Love the bracelet! Bret is young and strong (always enjoyed playing golf and watching him hit it forever long), and has a beautiful family. Prayers for all of you.
Tonia
Hugs to you and your family! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Flora
My prayers and possitive thoughts will be with you all the way…Be strong and everything will be just fine for all of you..Love from Greece.
Adrian
Wishing him and your family well. I’ll wear red.
Millie | Add A Little
Positive thoughts to all of you 🙂
Terry
Shawn,
Prayers and good thoughts are going up and out to you and your family, especially for your brother Bret. I have a good friend who is going through her own scare dealing with your breast. She had a biopsy yesterday and is now awaiting the results. Prayers are powerful and I totally believe in them. Of course positive, good thoughts help as well.