On Friday, I received the report that my annual mammogram was clear. That's 23 years past breast cancer. Surely good reason to rejoice and give thanks.
With Kirstin, I say, "I don’t ever, ever, ever want to get cancer again. But I am not sorry that I had it. Cancer gave me more than it took."
That's the truth of it. I looked death in the face and came to know, as I never had before, that life is fragile. I learned that the people in my life are of great value, much more so than any of my possessions. I learned to live for today, not in the past, nor for a future that may never come. Most important of all, I grew in faith. I know that God is with me, no matter what.
UPDATE: Rmj at Adventus quotes the wise and wonderful words of Fra Giovanni, which elaborate beautifully on what I said above.
...someone once taught me how important it is just to witness...what he intended was the importance of watching...listening...hearing...as for me, i'm just passing through here as a witness tonight, as a witness...a grateful and resonant witness...
ReplyDeletesleep well, grandmere...
and, thank you...
Thanks be to God both for the latest news and what you learned from what must have been a terrible experience.
ReplyDeletehere in Australia we have just had another newsworthy death to breast cancer - a mother of three young children who was a gold medal athlete. It is a terrible disease and I pray for all who suffer from it.
Wonderful news, Mimi -- Deo Gratias!
ReplyDelete((((((hugs))))))
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to read this. Many more years of good health and living life fully to you, dear Grandmère.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your wonderful news. Such hope you give folks.
ReplyDeleteAll Blessings, Grand'mère!
ReplyDeleteLots of love to you Mimi. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteThanks be to Godde! A big Southern hug to you, dear Mimi. Rejoicing with you,
ReplyDeleteJane and +Maya
So that explains it! After facing down cancer, then Entergy, hurricanes, and Republicans are very small potatoes.
ReplyDeleteThanks be to God for the great news.
May you and Kirstin both live long and prosper!
I'm sorry that everyone doesn't have the same happy outcome as I did, nevertheless it is important to give witness.
ReplyDeleteBrian, the story of the mother of three young children is heartbreaking. That is the reality of cancer as much as my reality. All the more, I realize how blessed I am. May God give the family comfort, consolation, and peace.
Catherine in Japan, welcome, and thank you for your kind words.
Also, I decided that I have neither the time nor the tolerance for BS. Life is too short, even if I live to be 100.
I'm pleased about the good news.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this wonderful news, but most of all - thank you for sharing YOU!
ReplyDeleteYes, what holyfoolishness said.
ReplyDeleteMimi, I somehow didn't realize you were a cancer survivor. Prayers of joyous thanks!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I once worked in a radiation oncology clinic; it was the best job I ever had. I would have done the work for free. The patients there taught me so much about living when the pretense is stripped away. What an amazing experience, although no one wanted to be there.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had your capacity for dealing with BS. It's coming, but I'm not there yet.
This is a very fine anniversary to know... many blessings on the day and on you as you enter into your 24th year canser-free.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the lovely comments. Each year, I'm quite relieved when the good results come in.
ReplyDeleteYes!!!! Thanks be to God! And may God continue to bless you Grandmere!
ReplyDelete(PS --I aspire to that number --I am 11 years, but no squeeze and tease for me.... I was too far gone for that!)
And, yes, when the good results come in, there's nothing like it!
Margaret, I did not know you were one of the sisterhood. 11 years is excellent.
ReplyDeleteIn this area, I was one of the early patients to have a lumpectomy. Many people thought I was crazy, but I believed the doctor when he said that the outcome was the same for mastectomy and lumpectomy if the tumor measured below a certain size. I'm a tad smaller on one side than the other, but probably not enough to be noticeable to anyone but me when I'm dressed.
Hooray! That is always the best of news.
ReplyDeleteMy precious cousin Lisa (my daughter is named for her) had a radical mastectomy last month, and is starting her third week of the first round of chemotherapy tomorrow.
She swears she is cancer-free now, says they didn't leave anything for cancer to be in, and the chemo is a just in case thing. I have to believe she is cancer-free because she just has to be okay, but it doesn't stop me from worrying. Now that she's down to 89 pounds (at 5'4") and each week hits her harder and she's so damned fragile. I hug her and there's nothing in my arms but a sweet smell and what feels like paper-thin bones.
I have a lot of cousins, probably more than my share, but my Lisa Kaye is so special, so close to my heart. If anyone has extra prayers (yes, I know we all have extras in abundance, but uh oh I don't know) where was I? asking please please pray for my Lisa Kaye. I don't know why it is so hard to ask.
The Janet, extra prayers for Lisa Kaye.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd like, I will quote your words in this comment in a post about Lisa Kaye, asking for prayers.
Prayers for all the Big C survivors (Mimi, I did not know you were of that tribe)---and even more for those who didn't survive (particularly their families).
ReplyDelete[I posted about my friend Cath on MadPriest's, asking for prayers (but the request got lost, apparently). A never-smoker, she was nonetheless diagnosed w/ in October w/ Stage 4 Lung Cancer. :-( (She learns tomorrow how her treatment is going. That's what her disease is called: "Treatable, Not Curable"---of course, I pray for a CURE anyway!)
Please, y'all, pray for her (she lives in my California hometown, and I will be seeing her when I fly home next week)]
(((Everyone)))
ReplyDeleteAnd especially (((Mimi))).
Having arrived here so late, I have nothing worthwhile to say.
I take the weekend off and miss all the good news! Thank God, Mimi---you are a treasure and it is good to know that you have passed another milestone.
ReplyDeletePrayers for Lisa Kaye and Cath---and may I ask them for my friend Terri-Lynn, who is still fighting colon cancer? She's feeling better right now, but is still so very, very tired. She will celebrate her 50th birthday on Christmas Eve...
Pax,
Doxy
PJ and Doxy, thanks.
ReplyDeleteDoxy, I added an update for your friend, Terry-Lynn.
I am very late as well, but filled with gratitude on so many healthy years and many more to come.
ReplyDeleteYou are a bright, bright star in the lives of many Grandmere!!
I haven't been over here for a while, so I'm late in my comment. I sometimes suffer from survivor's guilt. It's been nearly 10 years since Dr. Iseri told me I had 6 months to get my affairs in order. But, every July 9 I celebrate the anniversary of my death sentence and I live every day as though I were my last. I also thank God for each new day She gives me.
ReplyDeleteFran, thanks. You make me blush, love.
ReplyDeleteDan, I know what you mean. Why you and me and not others? But, like you, I feel that every day is a gift. And certainly, for me, every day beyond three score and ten is lagniappe.