So, I'm guessing that if I ask my fellow readers "Who do you think my best friend is?" they would automatically assume someone around my age, has the same hobbies/likings as me, and is most likely a female too... Well SURPRISE! My best friend is absolutely none of the following. I couldn't be any prouder to say that my best friend is my 86 year old granddaddy, Cohen. He is loving, caring, optimistic, outgoing, stubborn, annoying at times, hard to get along with... shall I continue? I think you guys got it that I know him like the back of my hand and better than anyone else.
When I was bringing in the new year of 2014, never had I imagined that such a horrific and petrifying thing was going to happen and change my whole world. Back around February of 2014 the big "C" word that everyone cringes to hear struck again... CANCER. My best friend, "sweetheart", and most of all loving granddaddy was diagnosed with cancer again. This time, Squamous-Cell Carcinoma. Not to forget his past two strokes, diabetes problems, and colon cancer back in 2006. He met with many doctors, specialists, and even traveled all the way to Durham, NC to speak with Duke Cancer Center to help find a way to cure his illness. After about a month or so of research, our family decided that taking him on to Duke Medical/Cancer Center was by far the best option for him. He went through 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments, along with doctor's appointments, and was housed in Durham with my grandmother throughout it all. 6 weeks went by, the cancerous spot on his head had shrunk, the doctors were happy with the progress, he was feeling better... they reported the cancer was GONE! Never have I ever been so relieved to hear such good news and also it meant that my granddaddy was coming home to me again. After 3 months of being back home, our normal Waffle House trips, car rides, stupid little arguments, and our daily lives together the cancer had decided to come back. Yep, you all know what's going to happen again from here... radiation treatments at Duke again for 6 weeks.
It has been 2 days since my granddaddy has got back home from Duke and boy can I say I have never been happier! All it took was for me to walk right down my driveway and he was there. One thing that I learned while he was away is that you can never take for granted the time we spend together, even if it's something as simple as dropping in to give him a hug. I have grown up with my granddaddy by my side, every step of the way, and I can honestly say that. He has been a shoulder to cry on, counselor, best friend, father figure, and many other roles when no one else could even come close to meeting them. So you probably think my life is back to normal right? My granddaddy and best friend is back home, I get to see him whenever I want, give him hugs and kisses galore... not quite yet. We are waiting for a follow up appointment in 6 weeks with his doctor to receive the final news on whether the cancer is gone or not. I'm very thankful that he is here to be with me throughout the wait, however bunches of prayers and thoughts would still be greatly appreciated!
Throughout this whole process of my granddaddy getting cancer, I'm ashamed to say it but I became very angry with God. All I could do was question God as to why he would bring such a horrific thing upon my granddaddy?Why would He put him at any risk of being taken away from me? Why would He want to see him suffer like this? All I could do was question God, every single day, but never once did I look at what God was showing me then... God showed me that I should NEVER take advantage of the one of a kind relationship I have with my granddaddy. Unfortunately it takes life changing things to get a person to step back, look at the whole picture, and realize what they have in front of them. I have became even more thankful for my granddaddy, his presence, the things he does for me, the advice he gives me, anything and everything I am even more thankful for than I was before.
So enough of the sad story, I think you guys get the picture. My granddaddy has been through A LOT! It's safe to say that my best friend is one of the strongest people I know and continues to amaze me every day throughout everything he does. As I mentioned before, many thoughts and prayers for his recovery would be greatly appreciated along with high hopes at his follow up appointment in 6 weeks! Who ever said that your granddaddy couldn't be your best friend? NOT THIS GIRL.
>>> "He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak." -Isaiah 40:29 <<<
and increases the power of the weak." -Isaiah 40:29 <<<
XOXO - Savannah
