The next second, the phone rang. It was Brother Winters from their ward (church congregation) in Alabama asking Aaron what he could do to help. Aaron was overcome with emotion and gratitude. Brother Winters arranged for a mutual friend named Adam S. to go and pick up Beth and the kids. Adam got Beth to the ER and got the kids to preschool. Brother Winters met them at the ER, and he and another friend gave Beth a priesthood blessing.
Jeffrey R. Holland once stated: "From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children. Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, and guidance in difficult times." Brother Winters was one of those "seen" angels for the Sundstrom family yesterday.
Before Adam arrived, Beth sent out a text to family members asking for immediate prayers for her relief. Beth's sister said a particularly beautiful prayer that she later sent Beth via email. She prayed: "Lord, I lift up my sister to you, please touch her leg and relieve the pain. May the evil one be banished from this beautiful family. May your Holy Spirit reign over this family in a way that will bring strength and peace. Calm the heart of my sister, may your strength be evident. May she have the strength and endurance to take each moment and activity forward. Help her to know that you will not leave her nor forsake her. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen."
I called Aaron shortly after I received Beth's text and asked him how she was doing. He was tearful and it was obvious that he did not like being away from her in her pain. He then said "I don't know how she is going to make the drive up to Michigan." By this point, I was crying too to hear my brother in such anguish, and asked if I could help her make the drive. Aaron assured me that he wasn't asking me to do that, but that it would be great and would help a lot (Aaron and Beth wanted to take two cars, but it wouldn't be safe for Beth to drive up in her condition.) I called my husband and he was on board. I called my mother-in-law and she was more than willing to watch our kids while I went up there. She said "whatever I can do- just say the word." (She's planning her mother's 80th birthday party this weekend, but she was ready to take on my two rascals.) And that is what has been so amazing...that's been the response from so many: "what can I do? I'm ready to help."
By the end of this day, there was nothing anyone could say to make us think anything other than that
people are good.
Aaron then went to what he says is the "best health food store in the Destin area" (Aaron would know- he has great taste- no pun intended;)...but really he does)-- it's in Blue Mountain Beach and is called "For the Health of It". He walked in with his eyes bloodshot from all the crying he'd been doing and ran into his friend and the store's owner Ed Barry. Ed studies martial arts and tai chi and took 30 minutes out of his day and away from his work to help Aaron to calm down with some breathing exercises that really helped him. Aaron remarked on how helpful and loving Ed was in his service to him, and Aaron again found himself incredibly grateful.
Aaron had so much work to do before he could get on the road to Michigan, but by the time he got back to the office, he said his brain could barely function. In walked our sister Marissa who works with Aaron. She then just stepped up to the plate and completely took over so Aaron could get packed and focus on getting to AL to his family, and then on up to Michigan. Aaron had to hurry and get on the road to Alabama to pick up the kids from preschool as Beth was still in the hospital.
As I got my kids and I packed up, our Dad started to warn strongly against us starting our drive due to the weather we'd be facing. We were hoping that the weather channels were just blowing everything out of proportion- plus, we were (and are) all just so ready to get him to the Cancer Center. My car was packed and I started the drive to Aaron, but by the time I got to I-10, we'd all decided to call off the trip until the road conditions weren't so dangerous. Aaron later said it was a really good thing I didn't come because he barely made it home himself with the kids because the roads were so bad already.
Beth got some great care at the hospital! They gave her three different shots and prescriptions, and was home feeling much more comfortable than she had been by the time Aaron and the kids arrived.
Aunt Joanie is working away to get Aaron seen right away at the UM Cancer Center. Today (Wednesday) our brother Chris faxed her up a few other records so she could send them to the surgeon. She told the nurses who received the faxes that he needs to be seen right away- that he's waited long enough (after being told by a doctor repeatedly 4-5 months ago the lump on his neck was nothing). The nurses agreed with Aunt Joan and if all goes as it should, he will have an appointment in the books for this Monday by sometime tomorrow (Thursday)!
Our cousin Lisa is working to find a nanny for the kids up in Michigan so Beth can be with him during appointments, and the whole family up there is working together to round up winter clothes for the kids. We are all so thankful!
Words cannot adequately express our gratitude for the compassion, love, and prayers! Keep them coming! We have a long road ahead, but as Aaron said "there's only one acceptable outcome here and I
am committed to not only win this fight but to be a better husband,
father, brother and friend. Thank you for lending me your strength through your thoughts and prayers."
Aaron, Beth, and baby Levi
Some of our family Thanksgiving 2013
Sweet, playful Uncle Aaron
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