Shirley Enebrad

Author, Speaker & Grief Counselor

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Lightning can strike twice!

Lightning can strike twice!

May 21, 2020 by Shirley Enebrad 8 Comments

If you read my Mothers’ Day post you know I was celebrating my daughter being told she was COVID free. Everyone including the doctor thought that meant she no longer had it in her system. Well, the reason she tested negative was that she never had it. Her symptoms were very similar to COVID but sadly, it became apparent that was not the issue when her fever came back. I insisted she go to the doctor the next day and they immediately sent her to the Emergency Room. Unfortunately the swollen lymph nodes and recurring fevers indicated something else…much worse. After blood work, it was determined that Keili had either Lymphoma or Leukemia. It was surreal when she called me from the ER. The doctors could tell from her blood and other signs that she needed to be transferred to their sister hospital with a cancer center. This whole nightmare was especially poignant because my son Cory was diagnosed with the same disease and that fateful day was the anniversary of his death 35 years ago. I had a bit of PTSD to contend with as did my older daughter. Lightning can indeed strike twice. Life sometimes isn’t fair. But you just have to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving.

Keili is continuing to work for a great company that has been extremely supportive. She is at a great hospital with a terrific reputation. Her doctor has a Ph.D. in hematology and is an oncologist. I have faith in his knowledge. She is about 3000 miles away and that is difficult. The stupid virus means no one can go into the hospital. But that means she is safe. She has been forced to make life-altering decisions on her own and she has done a fabulous job. We will get through this as a family. She is strong and brave and determined to get ‘er done. Like I said, she is courageous. All those years volunteering with Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation, three Ronald McDonald Houses, and working for the Sunshine Kids Foundation gave her valuable insight and inspiration for how to cope. I am grateful she has such a positive attitude. She is already the favorite patient on the sixth floor.

Lightning strikes twice, but the storm will pass and we will survive. It is all about focusing on a positive outcome and praying like mad.

Prayers are appreciated. We believe they help.

Be well,

Shirley

 

PS Mahalo to Vlad Panov for the great shot of lightning!

Blog, Life and Living, Self Care

Comments

  1. Candi says

    May 21, 2020 at 9:56 pm

    This is so beautiful, positive, deeply saddening, heartfelt… I love you & your family Shirley. Heaps of prayers & everything else I can do you support your ohana❤️

    Reply
    • Shirley Enebrad says

      May 21, 2020 at 10:11 pm

      Mahalo Candi,
      I love you back. Hope to see you soon.
      Warmest Aloha, S

      Reply
  2. Wanda says

    May 21, 2020 at 10:02 pm

    Shirley,
    Twice—mind boggling and soul shaking yet Keili’s attitude and courage are inspiring, as is yours. Thank you for sharing this. You have my prayers and love always.

    Reply
    • Shirley Enebrad says

      May 21, 2020 at 10:12 pm

      Thanks Wanda, We appreciate all the good thoughts, prayers, we can get!
      Warmest Aloha, S

      Reply
  3. Cathy Harmon says

    May 22, 2020 at 8:09 pm

    The will to live and the determination to fight combined with so much careing and loving life experience helping others throughout her life will give her the strenght and courage to weather this storm and survive.
    Love always, Tia/AC

    Reply
    • Shirley Enebrad says

      August 21, 2020 at 10:31 am

      Mahalo Auntie C,

      You da best. Muah!

      Reply
  4. Niki Myers-Rogerson says

    June 5, 2020 at 7:38 pm

    Dearest Shirley,
    Only you could have such a positive attitude. You have no idea how many people are thankful for your calming words in your own reality. I have all the trust that Keili’s positive attitude comes from you, and your journey. All will be well.

    I’m sending butterflies up to the heavens after a whisper to each to look after you, Keili, and entire Ohana.

    All my love
    Niki

    Reply
    • Shirley Enebrad says

      August 21, 2020 at 10:30 am

      Aloha Niki,
      Mahalo for the lovely words of support. Hugs to you sistah.

      Warmest Aloha,

      Reply

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Reviews & Testimonials

This primer on grief is practical , honest, and totally on the money about feelings, thoughts, and behaviors which are part of the human experience of grief and loss. The six word lessons are understandable, strengthening, and probably because there are only ‘six words’ easily remembered. It also takes direct aim at the guilt experienced about ‘the need to talk about it’.
William M Womack MD, Psychiatrist ("Six Word Lessons" On Coping with Grief)
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This book on coping is such a gift. It’s a quick, concise read that any busy, grief stricken person can benefit from. Knowing that the writer has experienced grief is powerful, she has walked down the lonely, painful journey herself. Thank you for this book as we grieve the loss of my beautiful mother-in-law!
Joanie Raaum (after reading Six-Word Lessons on Coping with Grief)
Read all Reviews & Testimonials >>
Over the Rainbow Bridge is an intelligent and emotional book that exhibits an unforgettable life and death of a child wise beyond his young years. You don’t have to be grieving to get Cory’s life lessons.
Karen Minton, MA, CAN, Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Maine
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Shirley, I can’t tell you how much your book touched my life. Your son was an amazing boy-such an upbeat, inspiring, beautiful little boy… although I cried, I also celebrated the person he was. And your writing made me feel like I was a part of your life with your son, instead of just reading about it. Images came to mind. Like when you had to walk that long distance to the hospital with your son in your arms after your car broke down. There were so many others… and the laughs I had with the ghosts!  The feelings I experienced while reading –I … Read more
Lisa Salvati, TV News Reporter, New York (after reading Over the Rainbow Bridge)
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The written word can be very powerful and moving, and every so often there is a book that can truly change lives; Over the Rainbow Bridge is that important. It is a true account of a heroic child’s mission in his short life to teach us about love and life, that one and both are the same: eternal. In our culture, where death is almost a taboo subject, Over the Rainbow Bridge will help us confront our fears and embrace life in a “down to earth” way. It is accessible, a comfort to read, as if being embraced by an old friend.
Gei Chan, well-read Artist & Designer
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I just have to tell you that your book has become a part of me.  I have milked it by only reading it when I was alone and quiet.  I feel I know little Cory now.  It has been a privilege getting to know his sweet spirit.  Thank you so much for sharing a small part of him with me.  I would love to see the video that was made.  Bless your heart for the pure love and strength that you instilled in your sweet baby.  Cory is a true gift to all who get to share his story.
Pamala Butler Iacovitti, Wichita Falls, Texas (after reading Over the Rainbow Bridge)
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The greatest gift I received from reading “Over the Rainbow Bridge” is a comforting peace about death and dying. Death is not an ending, but the beginning of a new phase. Powerful. Thanks Cory for your wisdom.Through the life of this 9 year old boy, I learned more insights about heaven and the afterlife than I ever learned by attending church. I don’t know who I’m more impressed with—Cory, a young man who even in death was the most positive, inspirational person I never met; or his mother Shirley who had the courage to really list… Read more
Shelly Heesacker, Freelance TV Field Producer for ‘Oprah’ and ‘The Dr. Phil Show’
Read all Reviews & Testimonials >>
Over the Rainbow Bridge is an intelligent and emotional book that exhibits an unforgettable life and death of a child wise beyond his young years. You don’t have to be grieving to get Cory’s life lessons.
Karen Minton, MA, CAN, Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Maine
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Cory was my favorite patient ever and he taught me more than I could ever teach him. His lessons about Summerland (the afterlife) were profound and his drawings of what he saw ‘Over the Rainbow Bridge’ helped thousands of people get in touch with their long-buried emotions.
Dr. Elisabeth Kubler Ross, Famed researcher & author of 16 books ‘On Death and Dying’
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Books are often described as good, exciting, motivational, or inspirational. Rarely do you find one that is truly life transforming. ‘Over the Rainbow Bridge’ is just such a book. It is absolutely miraculous the impact the story of this little nine your old child had on my perception of life, death, and God. My life has been inspired and enhanced by Cory’s story. If you are depressed for any reason, you will have a change of heart and mind after reading how Cory dealt with every day life in the short time he was here on earth. I can hardl… Read more
Carrie D. Hewitt, Newly Encouraged Mother of Four
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