Think Pink

This picture was taken at Thanksgiving. I might add, pink, is not a color I normally wear, that shirt was bought in her honor and she was well, tickled pink to see her daughter wearing something she would consider a color!  

        A moment for an update this evening. For those of you that have been reading for a while, you know my Mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer this last Fall. I am happy to say today was her last treatment!!!!
       
       I took her out for a celebration dinner and although tired and weary, she was happy to be done with that part of her battle. The girls and I had made some cards for her, because my Mother adores anything handmade. I also had purchased a survivor bracelet for her to wear.
     
        I was unaware that in the world of Doctors, she is not considered a survivor until she has made it 5 years cancer free. I surmise to say, my education into the world of cancer continues to grow. It also rested a bit heavy on my heart to realize that although the surgery is done, the treatments are done, there is still a long quiet road ahead.
    
         I knew she had more follow up treatments, plus would be taking some sort of daily remission drug for several years to come, mammograms several times over the next year, etc., etc. But for some reason in my mind I had thought  today would feel like a milestone rather then the beginning of a very long wait.
        
        I've been rather mystified through this entire phase of my life, to be honest. I know she is well, and will no doubt be fine. For these are the things you must tell yourself over and over. I take comfort in her strength, her desire to stay positive and the smile on her face. I just need to find comfort for myself in knowing she will do everything to avoid a reoccurrence.
 
        One thing I must add, since I'm on the subject. I've found an enormous amount of support from family and friends through all of this, buthere'sone pointer for some people. If you find yourself saying this to someone who has breast cancer, think long and hard about it.
        If the words "Don't worry, tons of woman get breast cancer and it's so curable these days!" and your saying it in a nice cherry voice that reeks of dismissal. You are in essence telling this person, "Don't worry it's like catching the flu, you'll be over it in a few weeks, no biggie."           
         It has been shocking how often this comes from well wishers. I understand people are put in a difficult situation with this news, words are hard to find, cancer is an ugly word. But just think if you were the one standing there, with cancer invading your body, no matter what type it was, and someone was in an undertone of well wishing, telling you it's really no big deal. I've witnessed this with my Mother and am torn everytime. And that is JUST A THOUGHT.....to really think about......     

        Nasty little cancer cells, how dare they invade my beautiful mother. Maybe I need to express alittle anger thats lurking around in here. Maybe I just want to cry for the stressful, full of worry, experience. I know I have been leery of expressing my own fears and concerns to my Mother. Through this time I felt it needed to be all about her. Almost like I have been afraid of adding fuel to her own fears, which I can only imagine are 100 times worse then mine with my own pain, fear and worry.  
       
       Maybe I just needed the Doctors to say, you've finished the hard part, your officially a survivor, we just need to keep a tight monitor on you. That I could have taken comfort and assurance from......... 

                                                                              

"I gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which I must stop and look fear in the face.......I say to myself, I've lived through this and can take the next thing that comes along. We must do the things we think we cannot do."
Eleanor Roosevelt