As I mentioned in my last
update (what, two, three weeks ago? – yikes!), was invited to New Hope to speak at a Relay for Life event. Gotta tell
ya’, I’m OK at speaking when it comes to my work or at homeschool functions.
Speaking – out loud – about my experience with cancer was odd. And I know
you’re thinking that I’ve pretty much lost my mind; I’ve told you every little
thing that’s happened along this journey of mine. But there’s a difference – a
dumb one, but a difference nonetheless.
I was asked to speak about
it in my capacity as a columnist with AOL’s Patch, who I write for. I was
concerned because I didn’t want to be known as that breast cancer survivor who
writes a humor column for Patch. I want to be known as the humor columnist, who
also happened to beat breast cancer. That may sound like one and the same, but
not to me & my addled brain.
Now, here’s the REALLY
weird catch – I wouldn’t have been asked to speak had I not spilled my battle
with cancer to my readers at Patch. I never once considered sharing this journey
with Patch readers. Like I said, I wanted to keep both things separate. For
some reason, though, on Mother’s Day, I felt a need to write about it. If you’d
like to read the article, click here.
I have no idea why, I have
no idea that the timing would prove significant, I just knew it was time to tell my story to my Patch readers. I have a
strong faith in God; you simply can’t go through the type of Hell that I went
through without either having it strengthened or forging the beginnings of that
faith. For me, it was simply a natural progression in my journey.
Don’t get me wrong; I had
days when I railed against God. More specifically, when I was enduring my third
surgery for the MRSA infection I contracted during the mastectomy. And even more so when I was in the hospital
for almost a week with the wound kept open, having the packed bandages changed
twice a day, and watching a beautiful snow fall outside my window. I was so
lonely, because my family & I love snow storms. We pop corn, light a fire,
and watch as the snow drifts to the ground, turning the world into a magical
wonderland. I was angry as I sat in my hospital bed alone, knowing that my
family was home, missing me there with them. Thankfully, it was a hissy fit and
I got over it. You really kind of have to put it into perspective – I was
ALIVE.
Alive.
Many women didn’t survive
this disease, and the odds were even worse for women who had it at the stage I
did. I still have demons I battle, and I’ll tell you more about them. But for
right now, I’ve digressed – big time.
So, due to my decision to
share my battle with my Patch readers, Linda Pickett saw it and asked me to
come and speak.
I’ve never been to a Relay
for Life event before. I’m just now getting mobile again, in between
reconstruction surgeries. But I was impressed by the people there. We walked
around, and saw all the tents that were pitched. The camaraderie was palpable.
Still, I’ll be honest, I was uneasy. Goes back to that whole keeping my
identity separate. Hey, I’m a super hero in my own mind – keeping my two
identities separate.
Come on, give me a break –
I’m old. I can have delusions of grandeur once in a while, can’t I?
Part Two, where I tell you all about the awesome people I met there, coming by the weekend!!
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