When ever I hear of someone who has been recently diagnosed with cancer, my mind goes back to that day when I first heard that I had brain cancer. I remember the fear and the complete out of control feeling that I felt. I remember the pleading, praying, bargaining, begging and finally the surrender that I experienced.
I have recently come across two very precious people that have just been diagnosed with cancer. Wendy has just been diagnosed with lymphoma. Reading through her blog, floods of emotion ran through me… especially this post I remember silently watching my hair go down the drain, trying to hold back the tears… I remember calling my dad because Mark was at work and asking him to come over and shave my head because it was too hard to watch it gradually fall out. I remember not wanting to be “the cancer warrior”… Wendy is a gentle soul who is part of the club that no one wants to be a member of. She is a jewel.
Last Sunday at church, one of our elders wives mentioned her family member who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Jill is only 26 years old… that is way too young to be dealing with this disease {although there is never the “right” age to get cancer, is there?} While reading her posts, I remember the days after my brain surgery and how wonderful staying with my parents was. I remember just being thankful to be alive. I remember watching everything around me with a new found awe. I remember viewing life differently & with more anticipation through cancers eyes. Although I have not yet spoken to Jill, we are on the same path and that path has bound our journeys together in ways that we will never quite comprehend.
So if you have a moment, go leave these 2 brave women an encouraging comment. If you are a cancer survivor or know of someone who is, tell them that they are not alone.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
ok, you have the non crier lady here, crying.
Love ya, girl!
Heather,
Thanks for the mention in your blog – I feel like a cancer celebrity!
Your story has been such a source of strength for me, and for my husband David. Keep up the posts – you are blessing more folks than you can possibly know.
Wendy
Heather, you have such a ministry to those of us who are joining the cancer club after you. I was diagnosed with melanoma in September. My question for you is, how long did it take you to surrender? Was it that first day? I feel like I am still struggling to surrender to this new path. I keep wanting to wake up from this nightmare and whispering to God, “this isn’t what i wanted. don’t you know? this isn’t what i wanted for my life.” Perhaps I’m extra stubborn or a slow processor. I do see myself starting to accept this, but I still would return my membership card to the cancer club in half a second if I could!
Will do.
It is a continuing process that never quite seems to end! But, I think that is what the Lord wants from us when we surrender…. daily
You are so normal! I continually take back the surrender and then re-give it to Him, only to take it back yet again. The same goes with control.. It is a hard lesson to learn and it doesn’t just apply to those with cancer… although it hits us hard!
Here’s a kleenex! Where have you been? Been missing you!
You are so very welcome! You and your husband are near and dear to my heart. Keep on keeping on and I am here if you ever need a shoulder… we can lean on each other when neither of is strong
Thank you Kimberly
After 4 rounds of chemo over 5 weeks my sister’s cancer counts haven’t changed. They are switching her to a stronger chemo. She had been told she would not lose her hair until her bone marrow transplant but since the cancer didn’t respond to the chemo the stronger chemo will cause her to start loosing her hair immediately. I told her that I am willing to have my head shaved first so she doesn’t feel like she is going through this alone. I remember my mother-in-law not wanting to shave her hair but becoming upset seeing it in her brush and sink. I think it would be easier to just shave it. I hate that my sister has to go through this and I hate that you and others have to go through it.
Thank you for sharing with others so we can better understand how to show support.
I have a very dear, sweet friend who was diagnosed last week with Colon rectal cancer. The day after her diagnosis, she began radiation and chemo – she will do this everyday for the next seven weeks. Then, the doctors will attempt to remove the tumor. She’s married with two sons. I just want to wrap my arms around her and make it all go away. It breaks my heart.
Praying for you and your friends. ME