She Will Survive.

In the words of Gloria Gaynor, "At first she was afraid, she was petrified."  And who wouldn't be??

Not too long ago my sister-in-law Lynne (but I call her SIL for obvious reasons -- sister-in-law, get it?) was diagnosed with breast cancer, the real scary deal.  Thankfully it hadn't spread, but they had to do something about it and fast.  So SIL had some hard and painful (literally!) decisions to make about how to treat it in a very short period of time.  As is her style, she didn't take the easy way out; she did what she felt was right.  As we all know from experience, doing what's right is usually the most painful, and this was certainly no exception.  It must have been very right since the pain has been so excruciating.  It's no wonder after 12 hours of surgery.   I just can't wrap my mind around that.  By "that" I mean (a) "that" the human body can withstand such an ordeal unconscious for 12 hours; (b) "that" medicine is advanced enough to operate for 12 hours and be successful; and (c) "that" SIL had the guts to go through such a traumatic event with such grace.

The surgery was less than two weeks ago, so it has been some really rough going.  It's been excruciating emotionally as well as physically as she sets off on her long road to recovery.  One of her get-well cards said it best, "The worst is over.  The rest is all uphill!"  I wish for her sake it wasn't quite so true.  All I can say is prior to this exposure, I had no clue about any of this.  (Anybody heard of "drains?"  If you haven't, don't ask and consider yourself very blessed not to know what they are!)

It's been a long time since I have witnessed so much bravery, and I am still in awe of her courage before and after surgery.  She took the news so calmly, forcing herself to make rational decisions without letting overwhelming emotions or fear drive her.   She's always been a survivor, but now she is a Breast Cancer Survivor.  That is a club that everyone respects, but no one wants to join.  After all she's been through, she's entitled to wear pink from head to toe for the rest of her life, all four seasons.

Here's to you, SIL!  You are a survivor, a Breast Cancer Survivor.  I know it's not so easy to lift your arms right now, so let us toast to you, your courage, and your inspiration.  Godspeed!

LibbY

aka "SIL"