Can't Hold Us Down

On Friday my family got some news. After dealing with chronic intense headaches my cousin Karina went in for an MRI. A few hours later she was in a hospital bed and scheduled for brain surgery for Monday. They had found a tumor near the brainstem and it would need to be removed as soon as possible.

Let me tell you a little story about our Karina. Now our family is really big, and Phi is still sorting out names of people. When I told her about Karina it took her a minute to place her. Then she said "Yea she is the one who helped me when I hurt my ankle". This is what happened. We were at a big family party and The Phi was running around with all her cousins. She jumped and landed wrong and hurt her ankle. She was crying and Karina saw this happen. Instead of coming and getting me or Joey, she picked up Phi (this was not that long ago so she was carrying a 7 year old!) and carried her to me. She picked her up, comforted her and carried her. I think this story really sums up Karina. A good soul through and through. Oh and she is funny too. She has kept the most amazing positive and almost "whatever" attitude through all this. She amazes me and I am so proud of her.

We went to see her on Saturday and her room was filled with family. Tias, Tios and cousins just filling every space we could. Because here is the thing. In this family NO ONE goes through anything alone. NO ONE. We may not be able to trade places with you ( and believe me we would if we could) but we will not leave your side, your family will cut their hair off, just like you had to, to show you that you are not alone. We will text message each other updates, and send you silly pictures to keep you smiling. We will leave you baby blankets to comfort you, bring you books and magazines, and fill your hospital room with flowers so when you look around you know you are loved beyond words.

This is scary and today will feel like a million hours as we all sit and wait for news. It may be her brain they are operating on, but it is all our hearts on the table too. Because she is our family and she is part of all our hearts. As much as we are nervous and scared this family never ceases to amazes me with the love and support they give. We are so strong and because of that Karina is Strong. And a damn little tumor the size of a kidney bean is no match for this family. NOTHING is bigger or stronger than the love this family has.