Yesterday my Aunt Susan lost her battle with breast cancer. After being in remission for a few years her cancer metastasized and returned in her bones.
Susan and her daughter Abby were both victims to cancer. Abby passed away from leukemia when she was five years old... she would be 28 now (I think?) if she had lived.
I have thought a lot about Abby and Susan as I have gone through my own battle with cancer. It is just such a devastating disease. The day after I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's my aunt wrote me a very sweet e-mail. She said in there that she didn't want to bombard me with advice, but I responded that I wouldn't mind some advice from someone who has gone through it and is going through it. She did give me some very sound advice which I have used many times as I have gone through this crazy cancer roller coaster ride.
It is a very strange thing to be going through cancer yourself during the time that a family member dies from cancer. It brings a lot of emotion to the surface as you can imagine. My heart aches for the family that she leaves behind. My heart aches for my own family and the struggles that they face while supporting me and my own battle. I can't help but wonder how my own cancer story will turn out... One thing that I know is that I am grateful for the love and concern that she showed for me, while she was battling for her own life. One of my other aunts said in a recent e-mail that she had asked about how I was doing in one of their last phone calls. That she was still concerned about me and asked about me in her last days is really humbling to me. I hope that I can be more like that, more like her, and look beyond my own struggles to care for others in theirs.
So last night in honor of my Aunt Susan, we ate our black bean pizza and green beans on our wedding china that was a gift from her. Thank you Susan for your example of faith, enduring through your trials, and love. You will be very missed...
5 comments:
wow so often I get stuck on comparing my backyard to someone's front yard and realize that I need to count my blessings including friends.
You are so strong and amazing. Thanks for sharing your trials- my blog is so very front yardish with just the roses.
I miss you.
I miss spending time with the Lingards - you are such great friends.
Oh my gosh Meg.
Oh my goodness.
I am so sorry! I can not believe the trials you have had to face. You are such an example to me of being a strong woman. I love you.
Paris, I'm so sorry for your loss. I can understand all of your worries, heartache and concern. Cancer is a scary, sad thing. I have such empathy for people who struggle/grieve because of cancer.
I'm keeping you and your family in my prayers.
I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt. Cancer is a horrible disease and anyone that has to deal with it is such a hero in my eyes.
You deserve a rest! Kids are wonderful and we love them, but they are hard, even when you aren't sick!
Meg-I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt. How close to home her passing must be to you! I love how you honored her by eating on your wedding china. What a beautiful tribute.
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