Worrier or Warrior:
The Difference a Day Makes
Today is a very important anniversary for me; 40 years ago
today I faced one of the most difficult situations a woman can face. At the
tender age of 25, I was wheeled into surgery to undergo a radical mastectomy.
Yes, I had breast cancer. Impossible the doctors said, I was only 25, however
it was true. Not only was it true but my cancer was estrogen based which meant
4 weeks later I had to have a complete hysterectomy. Let’s just say 1976 was not a good year for
me.
I find it ironic that I’m here writing about my story 40
years later, in 1976 it was a condition that was still whispered. Just before
my diagnosis woman like Betty Ford, Happy Rockefeller and Shirley Temple had
announced that they too had Breast Cancer. That was the first time I heard
woman talk out loud about something so personal.
By God’s grace, I already had two children age 3 and 5. This
day ended my ability to have anymore. I can tell you, few things will give you
a paradigm shift in your thinking faster than lying in a hospital bed wondering
if you will be alive to see your children grow up. As with every situation that
is so difficult, one can become bitter or better. I vowed at that moment that
nothing could stop me now. I’d been to hell and back and I lost my fear of just
about anything. I won’t bore you with details but a great majority of my life
until that day had been spent in and out of hospitals because of accidents,
allergies (anaphylactic shock), other major illnesses etc, etc, etc. I
sometimes joke that Satan has been trying to kill me since the day I was born
and can’t do it so he just tries to make my life as difficult as possible. In
spite of his attempts, I am a warrior and I don’t give up. Oh sure I have bad
days like everyone but I can assure you that no matter how difficult one’s life
is there is always someone out there that has it worse.
So today on my 40th Anniversary of the Big “C” I
want to encourage others facing difficult times. Life is hard. It may seem as
if others have a better life than you, don’t be so sure. I’ve learned that to
smile, to laugh, to serve, to forgive and most importantly to give and receive
love is the best way to get through this hard and unfair life. The more you
keep your eyes on Jesus and give yourself to others, the less you will look at
yourself and wallow in a hole of despair.
In one day, in one hour or in the blink of an eye life can
change forever. What are you going to do with it? Are you going to be a worrier
or a warrior? I’ve made my choice have you made yours?
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