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I’ve Been There, Embattled Mama—Hang On

In: Motherhood

3 Minute Read

By Melanie Mogensen

Woman pushing IV pole — Image via Melanie Mogensen

I’ve been there, mama.

Sitting at the side of my child’s hospital bed, praying for a miracle.

I’ve been there.

Holding my loved one’s hand as they took their last earthly breath.

I’ve been there.

Watching helplessly as the surgeons wheeled my loved one away to have life-saving, emergency surgery.

I’ve been there, too.

RELATED: To the Moms Who Conquered Cancer

Lying in the hospital bed, hooked up to a cocktail of chemotherapy drugs, hoping with all my might this treatment will be the one that helps me reach remission.

So many times, my reality has felt like something I should be watching on TV, not experiencing in real life.

Like when I had to place my 4-month-old daughter’s life in the hands of a surgeon to repair a gaping hole in her heart when it was only the size of a walnut.

Or when I had to watch as the love of my life was wheeled away into 14-hour brain surgery to carefully remove an AVM in his brain that was threatening his life.

Or just three years ago when I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer right before the holidays.

I’ve been there, mama.

When all seems to be going wrong.

I’ve doubted my faith and my place in this world, too.

But throughout my life, I’ve also witnessed the impossible become possible.

All these real-life health emergencies have taught me life sometimes life hands us grenades.

RELATED: For the Sorrowful Heart When Struggle Seems Too Much to Bear: This Too Shall Pass

Life as we know it can be turned upside down in an instant.

We can’t always control what happens to us, but I’ve learned we can always control how we respond.

Navigating the uncertainty that comes with chronic illness and cancer has helped me remain calm in a crisis.

My journey has taught me that sometimes things have to fall apart, so they can come together better in the end.

Being pushed to my limits and coming face to face with death has brought me closer to my faith.

I’ve found many times, it’s the things that wound us the deepest that lead us to the most profound healing.

Although sometimes we doubt our own strength and ability to survive what’s in front of us, knowing others have walked this difficult road and survived, gives us hope we can too.

While I don’t know your story, our struggle is likely the same.

I’m here to tell you it will get better.

It may not be today or tomorrow, but things will change.

RELATED: Tragedy Changes You, But it Doesn’t Have To Ruin You

Bad things happen.

Emergencies and crises affect us all.

But things can always change for the better.

When you’re lost for words and what to do next,

Hang on to the hope that rises with each breath.

I’ve been there, mama but I’m HERE now.

And I’m so glad you are too.

So God Made a Grandmother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

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Melanie Mogensen

Melanie Mogensen is a writer, wife, and mother of three who knows all too well how life can change in an instant. From becoming a young mom in her early 20s to managing twins and battling cancer, she is no stranger to adversity and God’s grace. Two years ago, in the middle of her own struggle with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, she began sharing her story to help cope and let others know that even the most difficult times there is always hope and something to be grateful for. Check out more on her blog hopefulwarrior.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

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RELATED: To the Moms Who Conquered Cancer

So many times, my reality has felt like something I should be watching on TV, not experiencing in real life.

I’ve been there, mama.

RELATED: For the Sorrowful Heart When Struggle Seems Too Much to Bear: This Too Shall Pass

We can’t always control what happens to us, but I’ve learned we can always control how we respond.

While I don’t know your story, our struggle is likely the same.

RELATED: Tragedy Changes You, But it Doesn’t Have To Ruin You

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Melanie Mogensen

Letting You Go Is Still So Hard

Behind Every Smiling Graduate Is a Mother Letting Go

Life Lessons from My Grown Children

As a Medical Mom, I Measure Growth Differently

Hannah Harper Is Every Mom with Babies in Her Arms and a Dream In Her Heart

Watching Your Children Build the Life You Prayed For Is Beautiful

I Lost My Daughter on Mother’s Day: 3 Truths I’m Believing Today

If You Give a Mom a Bouquet…

Here In the Liminal Space of Parenting

Mothers Are the Givers

Get It Now

So God Made a Mother

I’ve Been There, Embattled Mama—Hang On

So many times, my reality has felt like something I should be watching on TV, not experiencing in real life.

I’ve been there, mama.

We can’t always control what happens to us, but I’ve learned we can always control how we respond.

While I don’t know your story, our struggle is likely the same.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Letting You Go Is Still So Hard

Behind Every Smiling Graduate Is a Mother Letting Go

Life Lessons from My Grown Children

As a Medical Mom, I Measure Growth Differently

Hannah Harper Is Every Mom with Babies in Her Arms and a Dream In Her Heart

Watching Your Children Build the Life You Prayed For Is Beautiful

I Lost My Daughter on Mother’s Day: 3 Truths I’m Believing Today

If You Give a Mom a Bouquet…

Here In the Liminal Space of Parenting

Mothers Are the Givers

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