In the early 80’s, Betty Rollins, wrote and published a book called: FIRST YOU CRY. Instantly a bestseller, I like millions of readers, purchased and read this fine piece of work. I like many others, paged through its contents never imagining that one day, they, me, would be living from the same perspective as the people in those stories. Cancer was just something that happened to almost no one I knew.
In 1990 my husband John was diagnosed with malignant Melanoma. A Vietnam vet, a blond haired, blue eyed man and a worshiper of the sun, was told he had a serious Cancer of the skin. We then began an eight-year journey which ended in his death in 1998.
Now me. I have been diagnosed with Bladder cancer looking and am looking ahead to months of treatment and testing. Never did I think this could happen to me, but it has!
Just the words, Cancer, Malignant and Staging ring terror and fear through even the strongest individuals. Suddenly you realize after years of living, your vulnerability and your mortality are really very fragile in those first few moments after the diagnosis. Those emotions did not really hit me until I got home from the doctor’s office — and I fell apart.
But now it is time to put those “apart” pieces together, gear up for the treatments and stay strong. I am ready to do battle with an enemy that really has no face — but God does! And He will be my sword and also my staff!
Yes, first you do cry and then you dry those tears. All will be okay, I can feel it, and any doubt I have will be wiped clean by God’s continued love, the love of my family and the love that only life gives!
I’m Ready!
Thank you to all my followers and greetings to my new ones. Many of you were introduced to my work after reading my first book, FROM WE TO ME…letters to my friend. This was published in the fall of 2013 and has enjoyed some success. Many of those who have read the book have written encouraging comments, saying it was helpful to those who are experiencing grief.
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