A Prayer For My Auntie
A strange phenomenon occured just before the holidays that proved once again how fragile good health can be and how cancer doesn’t discriminate.
My Mom’s sister and one of Mom’s best friends were diagnosed with similar types of breast cancer within one week of each other. Mom’s friend is waiting for her surgery while my Aunt had hers this week. She went under believing she was having a lumpectomy and woke up without one of her breasts. Once the surgeon got in there he realized he needed to act more radically in his removal of the evidence of the disease. My Aunt’s attitude is something to admire: she says they can have the other one too if it will save her life.
Some days it seems like everywhere you turn someone is telling you something about cancer and how your help is needed to beat it or how to minimize your own risk. Some days, it’s enough to make you want to say ENOUGH ALREADY! But then someone you love is struck and you want to thank those who keep up the momentum for their relentless dedication.
My tough little Polish Aunt is optimistic and her surgeon says she has reason to be. We’re all pooling our love and support into her recovery. Get a mammogram. Examine yourself. Don’t put off a closer look at anything you think might not be normal. Don’t get scared, get proactive. Let’s kick cancer’s ass!
