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C-A-N C- E- R

7/6/2017

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Two years ago this week, the "dreaded" phone call came. After an unsightly mole appeared on the back of my thigh, the dermatologist's office called and confirmed my worst fears-it was MELANOMA.   Further  testing and additional waiting....led to Stage 3A....not a good place.  Up until this point in my 48 years, cancer was something that had remotely touched my life....student's parents, neighbors,  distant friends.... and I  had included myself on meal chains, dropped cards in the mail, and added them to my prayer list...but those interactions did nothing to prepare me for the next 2 months of my life.

Today, it all seems like a blur.  Occasionally, scents remind me of the chemo treatments, and there continues to be a myriad of appointments to specialists to determine if the monster has reared its ugly head and returned, but overall, the whole experience feels as if it happened to another person or in another lifetime.  However, each and every day, I  still feel the gratitude that comes with being  desperately vulnerable and needing people- and them being there.  It is a humbling experience for high school friends you have lost contact with to join you in the chemo-treatment room, for families of students you taught years ago to show up with dinner,  and  for your closest family and friends to have to put their lives on hold to help you.  The value of your  daily interactions with others  is mirrored in their  willingness to help during times like this...and it is a humbling experience, indeed.

Ironically, my youngest child- my constant companion- moved into her  freshman dorm the same day I was diagnosed.  I am quite sure God knew I was going to have a difficult time when she left, so he made sure I had other ways to occupy my time.  In a strange way, the cancer provided me a focus...and even made me grateful my daughter was leaving so she would not have to witness what followed. It is true what they say....God works in mysterious ways. 

My experience was minimal compared to what others are facing- but I now approach others who are going through this (and other similar situations) with a stronger understanding of what they  might need and a greeter desire to help.  Now,  I am a part of a club I did not choose- but, I feel grateful to belong nevertheless..
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    Happy Musings...

    a collection of 
    thoughts
     from a soccer mom, 
     beloved wife, wish -I- was better Christian,
     full-time teacher, football fan, 

    part-time tutor, technology fanatic,
    sometimes hiker, oldest daughter,

     avid reader,  closet singer,  southeast traveler,  car- camper, big sister, lifetime friend, nonoscar- winning  actor,  nauseous  nurse, insignificant writer, adolescent counselor, 
    sun-worshipper,
     compulsive  organizer, 
     wannabe artist, perpetual  cruise director,  willing confidant,  social planner,  Pintrest- trained caterer, 
     creative chef, unpaid maid,  self-trained decorator, 
     perpetual encourager,   student evaluator ......
    During the course of this year, I will don each
     of these hats...

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