This is one of those posts that I have tried to write and I just stop. I know a lot of you have mentioned that I am always so positive after we have been through so much. How do I do it? To be honest, some it is out of pure denial. I have bad days. I have a lot of them and some days the only way to get through it was to focus on what good there is in life. To hug my baby a thousand times more that day. To run through the sprinklers or bike through nature.
To not sit idle and let life pass me by.
To me, it is the best way I can pay tribute to those I have lost.
The past six months have taught me more that a lifetime of lessons. Appreciate what you have. If you love someone, tell them. Life is short. Life matters more than things matter. I could go on.
After Matt died and then both of my grandmother's deaths, reality hit hard.
Life is short.
It can be taken away at any moment.
Love, embrace, and celebrate the time that you are here.
Then, my brother (Type 1) and dad (Type 2) were diagnosed with Diabetes. My life changed again. I made my family's health a priority (another post to come about that) and vowed to teach my son healthy eating habits. We started working out and eating in.
Then, last week a friend of mine was diagnosed with stage 2 Breast Cancer. I stopped in my tracks. She is relatively young, just got married last year and was hoping to get pregnant. Now a double mastectomy, chemo, radiation and egg storage will be in her future.
I got mad. Mad because all this awful, horrible, tragic stuff keeps happening to good people.
It's not fair.
Life is not fair but I already knew that. My once naive self told me that.
I put on my big girl pants, and I got back up. You can get knocked down again and again and get yourself back up.
I refuse to pout and refuse to let something I can't control take over.
I can be there. I can take action. We can take action!
So, each month, I'll be posting something in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. I will be doing monthly exams, and hope you will too.
While you are at it, please send some prayers for her. It's going to be a long, hard road and she could use any extra prayers you have not used up from me already!
5 comments:
Oh, how scary for her! Amy, you've just been through so much lately--you really a strong woman (and momma!) for refusing to let it get you down. I love the idea of a breast cancer awareness reminder!
Thanks for this, Amy! My mom is a breast cancer survivor so it is obviously a very important cause in our family. That being said, I am not great at doing regular self-exams. Thank you for the reminder and I'll be sending thoughts and prayers to your friends. Stay strong, lady!
God Love You! you have been through a lot this last year or so. Its a good thing little man keeps smiling at you so you can keep smiling back
okay girly, it's time for you to win the lottery or something! sheesh! so so sorry to hear about your friend, what a terrifying diagnosis to face at such a young age. and yet, with medical advancements these days, your friend has some pretty good odds!
also, i would recommend the book "Lopsided: How Having Breast Cancer Can Be Really Distracting" by Meredith Norton. it could really prepare you for some of the kinds of things your friend will need (mostly emotional needs) in the coming months, but at the same time, it will make you laugh your ASS off. one of the best books i've ever read!
sending MAJOR prayers to your friend.
I'm so sorry for all that you have gone through Amy. Your friend is in my prayers.
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