Tomorrow I will be one third of the way finished with radiation. (YEAH ME) Yes, we will celebrate that by going out to dinner after my session. I am eating vegetables and low calorie foods in an attempt to start shedding my newly gained pounds. My hair is growing...slowly. My eyelashes are thin, as well as my eyebrows. Do I care? Yes, but it is minimal. As Monica has pointed out (thank you) I am me, hair or no hair, fat or thin. I am me!
When I have been at radiation, I have been the only female. I hear the men gabbing in the men's room next door and have been thankful I have no company. Well that has changed in the last two days. Because the machine broke down yesterday the schedule was totally behind...and we're late again but in a different way. A woman who normally gets her treatment at 7:30 a.m. was there. A tad older than myself, she had no issues with chemo therapy, although her new crop of hair was coming in white. She gave me great tips about how to minimize breast burn. Another woman in the room was sobbing. We both let her be. The sobbing woman was there again today. She asked how long I'd been coming. She was three days in, and her total amount of days will be sixteen. When I told her I was in for thirty three she gasped. She was scheduled for chemo therapy but "melted" down and wouldn't have it done. I asked her, "Who do you have supporting you?" She said her boyfriend is an asshole, her daughter has five kids, and her son lives in California.
She has nobody. She looked at me and said, "You are strong."
Why am I strong? You...You...and You....
This is my time to pay it forward.
Make Pink Tough and Expect Great Things
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Yea you Leah! I had dinner last night with my post breast cancer, post chemo, post radiation, sister in law who is visiting from Minneapolis. Conversation about cancer did not come up. What came up was life! Adventures she and her husband have had in the years since cancer. Her oh so positive attitude toward life, her way of somehow putting her fears away so she can enjoy the adventures and moments of life she has now. I suspect during her breast cancer battle she found she had that strength to persevere and get through it. WE support you Miss Leah, however that inner strength to go to your chemo treatments, to your radiation treatments, to be positive, that comes from deep inside of you. You are strength, you are strong, you are brave. We are just a shoulder to lean on when you get tired. And guess what, I know I don't just speak for myself, but you give me inspiration. You give me courage. You amaze me! There will be many opportunities down the road for you to pay it forward. I bet you did just yesterday when you talked to that unfortunate woman. We love you!
ReplyDeleteLeah...you are the sunshine of my life. I love you, I love you, I love you!
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts are with you! I can echo Monica's comments about your strength and bravery. You are a world changer!
ReplyDeleteWow. I told Paul that I didn't know what else to say except, wow. So, I didn't comment immediately. Your blog made me feel so deeply for the people who have to fight cancer alone. You recognize that you are blessed to have support, but it is still you who has to face each battle. You are doing it with such grace and courage. Keep it up, Leah!
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