I wanted to let people know what was going on with my health. Everyone who knows me knows that I’m pretty much an open book about sharing stuff.
So
I went onto Facebook and created a post with the early details. I
wrote:
“Hello,
friends. I have some health news I'd like to share. I started this year finding
out I had a genetic heart disorder, but after much testing, I only have to take
one medication, and keep a check on things. Next came a skin cancer on my
scalp. That was fixed with a 2-inch incision, 7 stitches and a very, very bad
haircut that still hasn't grown out! But this morning, I found out that I have
breast cancer. I am faithful with mammograms, so it's a tiny spot (a little
bigger than a green pea). They'll be able to take it out surgically, and I'll
probably get by with just radiation after that. I'm not one for pity parties,
so I just wanted to share this and ask for prayers and good thoughts sent my
way. I go for a surgery consultation Monday, and everyone I've worked with so
far has been super kind. I'll keep you abreast (see what I did there?) of the
situation and how I'll be moving forward. Thank you for your support!”
The
responses were overwhelming. Everyone was so kind, loving and encouraging. And
I really appreciate all of it.
But
an odd thing happened after I read the comments. I started thinking that “Yeah,
I have cancer, but it isn’t CANCER cancer.”
My
cancer is Stage 1A, Grade 2. That means that it’s very small and of medium
invasiveness.
But
when I think of cancer, I think of people with Stage 4 who have fought it for
years and years and have had rounds and rounds of chemo. And that’s not what
mine is. As crazy as it sounds, I almost feel like a cancer poser.
Don’t
get me wrong. I understand the seriousness of this. And I will fight it with
everything I’ve got. I guess I just don’t want to feel like a victim.
But just as I’ve told one of my friends for years, you can’t compare your stuff to
somebody else’s stuff because there’s always someone who is worse off than you.
But if it’s a problem for you, it’s a problem.
 |
No comments:
Post a Comment