Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you’ve been a follower of ours for the last few years, you know from my posts here and here that our family was touched by this horrible disease in a very close and personal way. If you’re new here, I thought I might encourage you with a short update of our story.
As I’ve said before this story is really not mine, but my mom’s, however, I share it from my heart in the hopes that it will bless others walking this same journey.
The first time my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer was late 2009, just one year after I was married. Her diagnosis, though shocking as we had no history of it in our family, was positive. It was found at the lowest detectable stage and non-invasive, so Mom endured a lumpectomy and an intensive round of radiation and was blessed to be in remission within six months. Life went on as we gave thanks to God for the blessing of time and celebrated holidays and birthdays, and, quite honestly, after all we had already faced, we felt a bit removed from the intense journey so many experience.
In 2015, four years after her first granddaughter was born, my mom went for her annual mammogram and the cancer had returned. This time more aggressive and more invasive. A mastectomy and chemotherapy were the only options given. Life came to an abrupt halt.
We spent many days visiting the hospital, sitting in the chemo chair, juggling schedules, handling medications and meals. Mom endured an intense timeline of chemotherapy and surgery. She lost her hair and lost weight. She struggled with chills and black nails. Her journey was painful, exhausting, and scary. We cried many tears and struggled with tough “what if” discussions.
But, God.
Now, three years later, I can tell you that my mom is blessedly cancer-free, again.
I don’t have any answers for our miracle, except Jesus’ healing touch. I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in the research being done and the doctors who fight for their patients. I crave a cure and no more loss. I believe in being pro-active, but I’ll admit that it’s easy to put myself last and not remember to make an appointment. This is my reminder too.
Pink may be just a color, but cancer is not just any illness, and regardless of the debate of where it comes from or how it enters the body, it’s a hideous monster created by the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy families from the inside out.
As daughters, sisters, moms, aunts, and grandmothers we must be vigilant and get a mammogram no matter what the health pundits say or what the media deems necessary. May your appointment today. Don’t act out of fear, but out of caution.
There are a great many ways to contribute besides donating money to the American Cancer Society or walking in the Komen weekend walks. If you know of anyone in your town, community, school, church, or neighborhood facing this prognosis, please reach out to them. Take them a meal. Send a card. Bring them a book or flowers. Share a silly movie. Offer a ride. Just sit with them and chat. PRAY WITH THEM! There is POWER in the name of Jesus. Pray with your friends and family.
It All Matters. It All Counts.
“’The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.'” Numbers 6:24-26
Lambie Love,
Rachel