Sister Malupo

I have been postponing this blog, even thought of not doing it at all for privacy's sake, but I'd feel ungrateful if I didn't express my feelings of love and gratitude for my sister-in-law.

Late December, we got a call from Bo's little sister Fehi, whom at the time was 5 mos. into her mission in Indiana. After ignoring the unknown number on my cell (sorry sis, I don't DO strange numbers) we finally talked to her on the house phone. The shock of our missionary even calling period (a privilege allowed only under special circumstances) confirmed my in-laws' worries about a previous call 2 weeks prior, notifying them of her trip to the ER due to fatigue and excessive/prolonged bleeding during a very abnormal menstrual cycle. With tears in her eyes, my mother-in-law uttered the word "cancer" and all I could think about was how swiftly one can be taken by its oft times undetected grip.

However, when I spoke to Sister Malupo that day, her voice was not sad, despite being told her blood clots were tested and possibly cancerous and that she needed to come home right away. I broke down and asked all the whats, wheres, hows, and whys, but she reassured us that we needn't worry, for this was just another trial for her. She calmed me down instantly because her spirits were high (like most missionaries), her attitude upbeat, and her faith unwavering. She even made me laugh with her corny "I'm just rollin' with my homie Jesus Christ" line. Secretly, I was so stoked that she was coming home, but under the circumstances, I was trying to be positive for her and sensitive to what she was going to have to endure!

She arrived in Hawaii just before New Years and saw a specialist a few days later. After more testing, it was confirmed that she did indeed have Uterine Cancer, which for her meant a hysterectomy, and sadly, the loss of her ability to bear children. {Ugh, I know. She's only 22!} The doctor asked if she wanted to have children now, and if so, she could before proceeding with the operation. But being in her very "nun-like" position, this was a silly question. She told him, "Go ahead and take it out, I have to go back to my mission!" Her positive attitude and smiles shocked the doctor--who got a pass-a-long card from her mind you--and even though he called her "weird" he was happy she took the news like a champ. He gave her an estimation of about March-ish, for her to be able to return back to Indiana.

After undergoing a successful surgery the 20th of Jan., she spent the next couple weeks healing with a lot of rental movies and late nights on the couch with friends. She'd only been on recovery for a week before I gave birth to Laila, and yet she mustered the strength to visit us at Queens. About a month later she was back to normal and enjoying life again; playing with my kids, visiting friends, attending church & firesides, and even making YOUTUBE videos of her dancing Polynesian numbers as a favor to her friend. After getting confirmation from the doctor that the cancer went with her uterus, she was cleared to return to her mission. Three days ago, SHE called the Mission President (anxious much?) only to find out that they were already making preparations for her and that she would leave...today. And so she did.

Sister Malupo left just as abruptly as she came home, and I'm sitting here questioning where the time had gone? We didn't have a big farewell of sorts, in fact my husband and his older sister didn't even get to say goodbye. I think deep down inside, no one really wanted her to leave. Seeing Lole run and hug her with tears streaming down her face was the saddest thing I have witnessed in a while, because they'd become so close. Even I have found it difficult today to hold back the tears because of what it meant for me to have her here, especially after giving birth.

Without her even knowing it, she has shared and often carried my burdens; when I was an emotional wreck returning home from the hospital, when I was too scared to drive with my newborn in the backseat alone, when I was upset at Bo because he was still drinking, when I needed someone to keep Lole company while I tended to baby, or when I just needed a few minutes to myself to regroup. I mean, more than just a convenient second hand, having Fehi here was a comfort that I'm going to miss dearly. Being able to say "Can you go to the store for me", or "Do you mind driving us to our appt. in Kailua" or "Can you watch the kids while I take a hot shower?" was such a complete load off my shoulders, because every bit of help (as a mother to a newborn again) was needed. I felt so "not alone" with her around, and I especially appreciated her being there for Lole, whom Fehi called "Giiiiiirlfren!" everyday. I will miss watching them joke/dance/sing/hang out together as if Lole was a big girl. I will miss her excitement every time she sees Laila in the morning and how she laughed in amazement at how much heavier she was than the day before. I will miss her because talking to her made me feel young again and appreciative of my kids.
I mentioned earlier how I hesitated to write this post, and it was mostly because when she first came home, she wanted to keep things private to avoid a pity-party. For her, nothing else mattered but to return to do the work of the Lord in administering to the people of Indiana. Although her service to them was interrupted for 3 mos., she continued here at home and I never once heard her complain or do the "woe is me" dance. It was such a blessing to have her here for Laila's birth as well as Lole's 4th birthday. I am so grateful Heavenly Father allowed her this brief time with us. She is my hero and a wonderful example of faith in His Eternal Plan. Thank you Sister Malupo for all that you are and all that you have done for us. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH and wish you endless success while in HIS service. INDIANA or BUST...again!