At the beginning of each fall and spring semester the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing Parents Network hosts a J1 Cookout to welcome new students and their families to LHSON. In early January the weather was a bit too chilly to sit outside for the cookout, so many guests congregated inside around large round tables.
Dr. Linda Plank, associate dean for academic affairs at LHSON, sat down at a random table to get better acquainted with nursing student Jennifer (Jenny) Reimer and her family. Dr. Plank welcomed Jenny to LHSON and said she had heard that Jenny had recently taken a year-long break from school and asked why. Jenny’s mother proudly explained that her daughter had taken a year off from her studies to care for her while she recovered from a serious stem cell transplant. She endured rigorous chemo and a tough hospitalization before and after the stem cell treatment, but her daughter was by her side giving her hope and support.
The story instantly hit home personally for Dr. Plank since her husband was getting ready to go through the very same surgery in just a matter of days.
Together the families delighted in God’s gift of bringing them to each other that night, and they shared hope for a brighter tomorrow and renewed health for their loved ones.
