Two days ago I decided to get my nails done since it had been too long. I was pretty tired out from all the stress we have been experiencing but decided I needed to get this done. I have been going to my nail shop for about six years now and know all of the ladies. They are like family to me.
I walked into the shop and they were busy, but I picked my color out and sat down in one of the spa chairs next to another patron. My lady Cathy gave me a hug and asked, "How are you doing?" I looked at her and said in the most honest way I could, "I am fine although I have to start treatment again." She gave me a concerned look, "Why? What happened?"
"Well I found a spot in my neck and it is not good so we are getting it tested and need to see if we can treat it." I said.
The lady next to me looked up and asked, "Breast cancer?" I nodded and asked her, "Are you a survivor?"
She said in a southern twang, "Oh Lord yes, been there done that!!!" I smiled at her and said, "Yes me too I guess."
She asked me what treatment and such I had and then I asked her about her cancer.
"I have been through it all, at age 20 I had ovarian cancer then melanoma." She blew on her nails and then looked up and continued, "Then at 30 I had breast cancer and melanoma again and now I have stage two colon cancer."
I was astounded and felt my blip in the road was nothing compared to what this lady has accomplished.
"I also lost my husband last year and that has been the most difficult thing for me to go through." I could not believe it, she was married for thirty years and her husband had seen her through all of those crazy days of cancer yet she outlived him.
She teared up, "I cannot throw away his clothes." I nodded sympathetically and said, "I understand that can be quite difficult."
She was alone except for her sister in Georgia and her dog, no children since she had her ovaries removed before she was married.
She turned to me and said, "Are you planning on having any more children?" I looked at her puzzled, "No...I cannot at this point." She then said very sternly, "Then have your ovaries removed since your cancer was driven by estrogen." I nodded and said, "It is being considered."
I then turned to her and said, "You know I think God put you here today to talk to me." She smiled and said, "I have heard that before too and yes I do believe that is possible."
I have been lately coming to terms with the fact that my life has changed. I no longer have the carefree days of not worrying about my health. I need to keep up with my health and if that means tests, scans and occasional treatment then that is fine.
I left the nail shop with my new friend and we hugged. She turned to me and said, "We are sisters in Christ." I nodded and we said good-bye. The Lord certainly does work in mysterious ways.
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