Breast Cancer – how do you summarize the emotions and associated with cancer except PRAY.
It’s a time like this that life stops on a dime and nothing else exists but your family. Everything you know as normal is not normal anymore. All of your family and friends send their love and prayers and you just pray you will be one of the lucky ones. Well, thank God we were one of the lucky ones. My uncle said it one of the best by saying “Knock, seek and the Lord will answer”.
Mom’s Breast Cancer Diagnosis & Surgery
My mom was diagnosed early from a routine mammogram that her long time doctor, insisted she have – God bless the doctor. Because of this very early detection, the cancer was just stage 1 and the tumor just .8 centimeters. Mom had a lumpectomy and both the tumor and a lymph node were removed. The surgery was successful, the surgeon informed us the margins looked good, and it appears that we are in the clear. Amen.
The Day of Mom’s Surgery
My mom has always said to me, “spend your time making memories instead of writing about them”. This statement comes from the two years we spent writing our book together, Maze of Thorns. Our book is about hope and healing after an illness that almost took my life nearly 20 years ago. During that time, my Mom was my advocate, it’s now my turn to be hers.
While everything was fine and probably would have been just fine without me, my Mom, Dad and I “spent our time making a memory”. Not all memories are all perfect, but they make us who we are and what we stand for. They make us the the parents we want to be and shape our character for years to come. The “ups” are not so “up” until you experience some of the “downs”. Experiencing these times as a family is one of the strongest bond in the world.
Making Memories with Dad
I wouldn’t have traded today for the world in terms of spending the day with my Dad waiting it out for my Mom all day. The hospital and staff were incredible. Now you get a hand-held “buzzer” to update you when your person is in the next step of surgery”. We got “buzzed” when she was in Pre-Op and spent that time with Mom before surgery trying to keep things light and making her laugh. We got “buzzed” again when the surgeon was coming to update us on the successful surgery and then again when we could go up to the post-op recover room.
While we waited, for mom and the surgery results, I spent the day just goofing around with my Dad. We had lunch together, explored the hospital and de-stressed by goofing off, making videos with the My Talking Pet App and all sorts of mischief.
Soul Nurturing Moment
if you have a chance to spend great times with family DO IT! Besides the vacations, birthdays and family reunions, have the courage to be there during these not so great times to experience the togetherness of family and the strength of faith.
I am so grateful to all family and friends that texted, called, and sent messages on Facebook & Instagram. THANK YOU!
3 Months later, my mom is cancer free. Amen and celebrate!
Life is Grand.
Love and Laughter,
Kris
*Click here for the book Mom and I wrote called Maze of Thorns, and stay tuned for our upcoming events!
