So how is your Thursday going? Good , I hope. Mine? Well, let's see. I start each day counting my many blessings, which I did this morning. But this morning was a little bit different. This morning I had to follow that by making two of the most difficult phone calls of my life. I had to call my mother, 1000 miles away, and inform her that her youngest daughter has been diagnosed with cancer. And then I had to tell my dearest sister. Nothing like giving horrible news to the people you love.
I have cancer...There I SAID IT!
You would be surprised how hard it is to say that. It's really stupid when you think about it. It's just a word. But OH what a word it is. It makes you go kinda wacky when you hear it. You immediately start planning for how to tell people (especially your small children, your family, your friends, your co-workers). Then you move on to planning for surgeries, treatments, exercise and diet plans, you get sad, you get mad, you consider your mortality and wonder how long you have...and that's just in the first 3 minutes. Bobby and I have been through so much in our 26 years together. We are ready for a fight but we are going to need prayers, love, emotional support, shoulders to cry on at our low points, people with whom we can celebrate victories and people who are willing to take a punch to the face when we just can't take it anymore. Any takers for that last one?
Seriously though, today will be the toughest by far (or so far). We still have a long way to go but the biopsy results come today. I don't deal well with unknowns so it's a double whammy - waiting and then dealing with the details. I've been strong so far and I'm ready for a fight. It's been an emotional roller coast thus far, no doubt, but there is more to come so I can't fall apart.
So, why am I sharing my story with the world? Well, two of the reasons are pretty selfish. First, it's therapeutic for me. Second, it allows me to get information to people who want it, all at once. Blogging was a true blessing to us during our NICU experience so here I am again. This will also serve as a map of my journey, which is a journey that too many people have to take. If one person can find comfort, support, education or anything else from this effort, then that means we've done something. The blog is also good because, unlike Facebook, you don't have to hear about all this unless you go looking for it. See what I did there? I didn't throw my life out into the FB universe so people who don't care don't have worry about the volume in their news feed. I'm a giver, I know.
We will face this challenge with faith, prayer, love, family, friends and as always, humor. I like to laugh, I like to put people at ease, and it's good for you! So, if you want to keep up with my progress, come here first. Facebook and the other blog will continue to be regular ol', ordinary, boring, "only the grandparents will care" type stuff. It's time for me to shift gears and focus on my journey and what I need to do to get through it.
Send all of the love and prayers you can muster to all of us at The LD. We're going to need you. <3
Much love,
Andee
I have cancer...There I SAID IT!
You would be surprised how hard it is to say that. It's really stupid when you think about it. It's just a word. But OH what a word it is. It makes you go kinda wacky when you hear it. You immediately start planning for how to tell people (especially your small children, your family, your friends, your co-workers). Then you move on to planning for surgeries, treatments, exercise and diet plans, you get sad, you get mad, you consider your mortality and wonder how long you have...and that's just in the first 3 minutes. Bobby and I have been through so much in our 26 years together. We are ready for a fight but we are going to need prayers, love, emotional support, shoulders to cry on at our low points, people with whom we can celebrate victories and people who are willing to take a punch to the face when we just can't take it anymore. Any takers for that last one?
Seriously though, today will be the toughest by far (or so far). We still have a long way to go but the biopsy results come today. I don't deal well with unknowns so it's a double whammy - waiting and then dealing with the details. I've been strong so far and I'm ready for a fight. It's been an emotional roller coast thus far, no doubt, but there is more to come so I can't fall apart.
So, why am I sharing my story with the world? Well, two of the reasons are pretty selfish. First, it's therapeutic for me. Second, it allows me to get information to people who want it, all at once. Blogging was a true blessing to us during our NICU experience so here I am again. This will also serve as a map of my journey, which is a journey that too many people have to take. If one person can find comfort, support, education or anything else from this effort, then that means we've done something. The blog is also good because, unlike Facebook, you don't have to hear about all this unless you go looking for it. See what I did there? I didn't throw my life out into the FB universe so people who don't care don't have worry about the volume in their news feed. I'm a giver, I know.
We will face this challenge with faith, prayer, love, family, friends and as always, humor. I like to laugh, I like to put people at ease, and it's good for you! So, if you want to keep up with my progress, come here first. Facebook and the other blog will continue to be regular ol', ordinary, boring, "only the grandparents will care" type stuff. It's time for me to shift gears and focus on my journey and what I need to do to get through it.
Send all of the love and prayers you can muster to all of us at The LD. We're going to need you. <3
Much love,
Andee