Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Tomorrow I will wear pink

Our lives were first effected by breast cancer over 10 years ago, when my brother in law was diagnosed with male breast cancer. If you've been reading my blog for a while you know that the cancer spread, and this past February the cancer won. Greg died while we were on vacation in California, staying with some dear, dear friends of ours, and The May Queens' Godparents.

I later learned that the day after Greg died, MQ's Godmother discovered a lump in her breast. She didn't tell us then, as she figured we had enough to deal with. Instead, she joined us at Disneyland, spoiling the May Queen, riding rollercoasters, and bringing joy to our tender hearts.

Which is exactly who she is. The May Queen may not have a Fairy Godmother, but she has something better. Godmother was at The May Queens birth, encouraging me through my 48 hours of labor and welcoming this new life into the world. Godmother was the first person we left the May Queen with overnight. She and her husband will be the May Queen's guardians should we die. She is loving and faithful, fun and tender, selfless beyond words. She is a nurse by nature and by profession, and is always taking care of and nurturing others.

But now she needs a little care and nurturing herself.

Tomorrow (Thursday) she will aggressively fight this usurper in her body. Tomorrow she will have a mastectomy. I know that those whom she has cared for over the years will show up in droves to care for her. I wish I could be among them. Instead, I sit here half a continent away and pray for her doctors, for her family and for her.

And I trust that she'll be around to spoil The May Queen for many years to come.

(this picture was taken at Disneyland, the day she found the lump)

32 comments:

Aunt Becky said...

I am sending light, love and healing vibes your way.

Mad said...

I am so, so sorry, PM. How hard this must be for you, for her, for her family. Godspeed.

rob clemenz @ saintsforsinners.com said...

If I can send you a hand-painted saint Agatha medal package, please let me know.

God Bless,

rob

carrie said...

Sending all my good vibes her way so that there can be many, many more beautiful memories made like the one in the photo.

(hugs)

Rima said...

Prayers and healing thoughts coming her way . . .

Mary Beth said...

It is so difficult to stay home when where you want to be is THERE holding her hand. Thinking lots of good thoughts for you both!

Candygirlflies said...

Tell her we're ALL thinking about her. I will be praying hard.

xoxo CGF

alejna said...

What a shock it must have been for you. And what a wonderful spirit she has. I will be thinking of her, and of you.

S said...

i will be thinking about her. and you.

she sounds lovely.

Chantal said...

My mom found a lump while I was pregnant for my first and didn't tell me till he was 1 month old. I lived with her for 2 weeks after she had her first mastectomy and I was amazed at the amount of caring people who sat with me and my little 3 month old baby while we waited for her to come out. I am sure your wonderful thoughts will speed through space and time and comfort her. Take Care.

amanda said...

I am sending prayers and good wishes both to you and to May Queen's Fairy godmother and will wear pink tomorrow to bring her luck...

Chrissy said...

Oh, this brought me to tears. How awful it must be for you to be so far away from your friend right now. I'm praying she will recover fully and quickly.

flutter said...

I will too, in honor.

Jen said...

I am picturing healthy tissue and healing as I type this.

We've been ravaged by this killer. Bob's mom, my aunt, my grandma. I wish the cure would happen!

the dragonfly said...

I didn't know...I wish I could give her a hug. If I can find her an email address I'll send her an "e-hug"...

Victoria said...

All the best to her. And to you.

Woman in a Window said...

I'm afraid I don't pray but I can send lots of positive energy her way and shake my fist at the sky, too. Some things are just not fair. I'll be especially pissed off at the world for her for a moment and then hope her fight is a truly kick-ass one!

Melissa said...

I'll be sure to keep her and those who love her in my prayers. Good luck and God Bless.

Amy Y said...

Oh, Mama... how tough. :( I trust she's in good hands and will make a complete recovery and I know it will make it all the better that she has someones like you and MQ to lean on during this time.
Sending heal quickly vibes her way...

Jen said...

I'll be sending prayers and thoughts her way. I hope she caught it early. I'm so sorry for what you're all going through and have gone through.

Unknown said...

she sounds amazing! I hope and pray all shall go well for her, her family and you, her dear friends.

crazymumma said...

she will battle well I predict. and emerge the victor.

Emily said...

Oh MP!

I am so sorry. This has struck me in a very realy way, today.

Peace and blessings!

Girlplustwo said...

love and light, sister. love and light.

E said...

I am a BC survivor and this is the message I give to anyone who gets sick. We are curing almost everyone now. The progress has been amazing. Tell her. Almost everyone and that means her....

Angela DeRossett said...

Praying for your friend today.

Anonymous said...

OH my, Painted Maypole. The sweetness of that picture makes me cry. I'm so sorry this horrible disease has touched you so intimately... Sending you prayers.

Run ANC said...

My thoughts and prayers are with her. Fight!

NotSoSage said...

I am hoping for the very best possible outcome for her. And to think that she hid her discovery to save you more pain!

You may feel far away, but she knows you're pulling for her.

Kat said...

Keeping her (and you) in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

PM - what unwelcome news. I think I'd choose very aggressive surgery in the same situation. Hoping and praying for a speedy and full recovery.

Magpie said...

Big hugs to you and the Godmother. I hope she kicks out the intruder.