Monday, August 25, 2008

First Time Blogger

So, this is my first time writing a blog. It'll probably take me a while to get used to this kind of thing, but I'm sure after a while, I'll get the hang of it.

I'm mainly writing this blog for fans of Jeff & Sheri, just to give an idea of what it's like to travel on our bus and live the way we do. This blog will really help occupy my time for the next few months, we leave out Wed. and won't be home until the end of September. Then in November the Gaither tour has its west coast run, and that will take about two full weeks. It's a hectic time for us right now, Mom started chemo this morning and it's going to be a rough three months. She is definitely the strongest woman I've ever known in my life. The way she has gone through this entire ordeal without the tiniest shake in her faith has literally astounded me.

Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in July. We were performing at a Fourth of July concert in South Carolina when the call came in, the bus was silent, and then the news came. I had a tough time that weekend, I didn't fully understand how you can get that news and within a few short hours go on stage and sing to people, "Life is Great, and Gettin' Better". I won't lie, I was in a terrible mood for about a week, I felt as if I had been beaten with a sledgehammer. I didn't want to talk to anyone, even though that would have helped. I didn't want to eat, sleep, perform, or even acknowledge what was going on. I almost thought that if I ignored it, the cancer and all of the pain would just go away.

Since that time, we've received hundreds of letters from people just like us. That is what's helping our family through this the most, hearing from fans that we are not alone. I have found out in the past few months that every single one of my friends has battled cancer at some point in their lives, whether the carrier was a parent, family member, or even themselves. These stories have been my biggest source of encouragement. Knowing, that we are in good company seems to subside the pain.

Even though I was in a dark place, and was hurting every second of the day, Mom never once let me down. She is a fighter, she will beat this thing to a pulp. She has only missed one weekend, due to her mastectomy, and since then she has gotten on stage every night and meant every word she has sang. Her faith is, without a doubt, the strongest of anyone that I have ever met. When she gets on stage, she means it when she says that, "Life is Great, and Gettin' Better". We all have a new perspective on every single one of our songs, "Praise His Name" is a new personal favorite.

Mom had a scan a few weeks back that checked the rest of her body for cancer, all of the tests came back negative. We are going through the chemo as a precaution, just to make sure that we fight it with all we can.

Reading back, my post seems very heavy, I'm honestly not that big of a downer, I just needed to vent that little bit, to let everyone know exactly what has been going on. Now that I have caught everyone up on the prefatory matters, I can take it day by day explaining fun and interesting things to all of our fans.

I'll try to keep everything as up to date as possible.

Take care,

-ME

14 comments:

Tom said...

Madison, I think when my Dad had heart disease and Mom had cancer (she kicked it's -you - know -what_ and your mom will do the same) I think a person gets sad because they miss the life they had when everyone was healthy. You can't get well for her as much as you'd like to.
Bus travel! As much as I like a good road trip, for me a week is plenty!!

Anonymous said...

I did finally find your blog & it was worth the effort. I, too, admire your mom for how she is handling all of this. I know it must be awfully hard for you & Morgan as well. Thanks for sharing & venting. After all it's your blog, so vent away! Praying for all of you. God bless.

Anonymous said...

Madison,

Have been and will continue to pray for your family. Welcome to the Blog World! Will add you to my blogroll.

Anonymous said...

hey there Madison...

I got your myspace bulletin that you had a blog...cool :-) I didn't know about your mom, I will most definitely pray for her and your family.

I met your mom last summer at the Blueberry Festival in Indiana. I told her this back in day, and still feel very strongly about it... you're parents are about the sweetest couple that I've seen on stage. she talked to me about how its not always easy, but talked about how it all was a blessing! it was pretty awesome to hear her talk ... i was ministered to and she probably didn't even realize it :-)

i will pray for you all.. and i thank you all for your ministry!
May His Light shine upon you and yours!

Anonymous said...

i just saw your family perform at seminole okla, your mom looks great! we will be praying for her as she encounters these treatments, but God will carry her thru. be strong, keep the good fight of faith.

Anonymous said...

madison, Thank you for making these blogs for the fans of your parents it's AWESOME to hear about your mother, yes it's hard to go through something like that but one thing we need to realize is that we have the Lord on our side he gives us challage's in our life's to see where our faith is and I know that for a fact cause I've been through it twice in my life with my sister and then my mother
my thoughts and prayers are with your mother and your family ya'll have blessed my family with your parents music!!!
God bless Rachel

mAndAngel said...

Hello, Jeff, Sherrie & family! I have been a fan since age 15 (I'm uhh in my twentys,lol) My husband & I love you music. I sang Hannah prayed at our son's dedication 2 years ago. & now we have a little daughter we are planing on singing Lullaby! Thanks to Sherrie for writing & singing such lovely songs! I am still a fan of your southern gospel twang! I'm raising up some little fans as well. We have a total of four babies. (ages are 7,5,2,&9months) Yes, I do have my hands VERY full. My oldest son has ASD! It make life kinda hard at times. I just wanted to post up how much your music have helped me as a teenager and now as a mother. Y'all are such a blessing to us. Loved the blog Madison! Keep them going!! God Bless & take care!
~Amanda Crumpton~

Anonymous said...

Thanks Madison for keeping up posted on what is going on with the Easter family. Glad your Mom is doing well - she continues to be on the prayer list at our church.

Tom K.
Graniteville, SC

Anonymous said...

Praise his name has, ever since I first heard it, been a touching song for me. It has brought me to my knees several times!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing with us. We love you all so much. God bless you.

Anonymous said...

Your Mom truly is an AMAZING person! I continue to pray for her and your entire family. I would love to get the opportunity to meet you guys someday! Take Care, Arielle

Unknown said...

Madison,
I am a huge fan of your Mom's and your whole family (also the Lewis Family). I am just hearing the news that she has cancer. I understand what you are going through, when my father was diagnosed with lung cancer, I listened to your Mom sing "Praise His Name" over and over again. It was such a blessing and it got me through a really tough time in my life.

Unknown said...

Madison,
Thanks for your blog. Your folks must be very proud of you and how grown up you are. I love the music y'all play and sing. You are a great family and God will keep holding you all up. So many are praying for your whole family. Through all of this God has a plan...hang onto that son.
God is using your family to bless and encourage so many people.
It's NOT weak to express your feelings...it takes a strong person to be able to say it hurts.
It will get better and the testimony will bless and help more than you can ever dream of. I will be praying every single day for all of you. So go on out there now and keep up the great work. God bless you all. I love y'all
Marcie

Bek said...

maddy,
i know just how you are feeling. i have been in that same dark place. you feel like nothing will ever be the same and it's like your whole world has crashed down around and there is no way that you're gonna get up from the rubble. but God picked you up. He picked you, Sheri, Jeff, Shannon, Morgan, and Maura up, and He is holding you in His arms safe and sound.
I know that your mom is in remission now, and i know how thankful you are for that. singing "Life is Great and Gettin' Better" wasn't the easiest thing you've ever done in your life after getting her diagnosis, but you did it b/c you wanted to show your mom that your are behind her all the way and that you love her so much.
it was the faith that all of you have that God will take care of you that got you through this. He provided Sheri with the doctors that she needed and He provided you with the strength to help get her through this.
you are an amazing man maddy. keep believeing and knowing that God will take care of you and your family. Your family has blessed so many people with the music that y'all make, and in return God has given blessing beyond your imagination.
love ya, bek