I've learned quite a bit this week (and had a lot of things I knew confirmed in spades).  Here are the new things I learned this week:

1.  I have cancer.

2.  How to say, "I have cancer."  (In future, I'll probably choose Candy's words--Candy is my survivor/sister-in-law--who says "I'm fighting cancer.")

3.  I am not alone.  There will be 1.4 million new cases of cancer diagnosed in 2008.

Things I already knew but were confirmed this week:

1.  I have the most amazing husband in the world.

2.  My family and friends stand ready to walk the steep path ahead--at my side, occasionally carrying me, letting me lead the way alone when I have to.

3.  God sends beauty and peace into the darkest of corners, the grimmest moments of fear and doubt, the loneliest places we can imagine.

Which leads to the Sunday question: 

What did you learn (or have confirmed) this week?



 


Comments

Steve\

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:26:37

How about "to count my blessings each and every day, to take NOTHING and NO ONE for granted"?

Deb and I will be thinking of you and Dan, and praying for both of you.

 

Sally

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:47:22

I learned this week that I have the bravest, most wonderful daughter in the world. I count her among my many blessings. I am privileged to know her.

 

Kenneth R. Morefield

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:03:32

I had confirmed (yet again) that I am not God, and I cannot bend the universe to my will.

 

Laura

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:29:59

Steve,

Amen, brother.

Dan passed along your comment about why I need to fight...and it's a good motivator!

Thanks for the prayers!

 

Laura

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:32:51

Sally,

There you go, making me cry.

You're pretty special, too. Thanks for all your love and the way you take care of Dad.

 

Laura

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:33:20

Ken,

Oh yeah! I learned that, too.

 

Erik

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:22:58

1. That there really are times when news can seem unreal, and that at such times you really can't know how you feel.

2. That the way you tell yourself the story does really, really color the story, whatever is or isn't real.

3. That whatever Ken has learned I feel the need to conduct further research, on the off chance that some variable in the experiment is as yet unaccounted for.

4. That I am completely uninterested in odds or survival rates. I am interested in possibilities and hope as-yet-unforeseen.

5. That I was right - one of the most important people in the universe has depths of courage and strength beyond reckoning, and that she is already growing to meet the new challenge tossed in front of her.

6. That I must stand with her in the ruins of Macchu Picchu on her 50th birthday.

7. That I can cry and drive on the freeway at the same time.

 

Todd

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:58:31

In more than one case this past week, I've learned/been reminded that life isn't usually about making the ideal choice but making best or right choice.

 

Cindy

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:57:55

This week I've learned that Laura's fighting cancer; that I can cry while doing many things (except think straight, sometimes); that a bi-metal hole saw is the right tool to use on a stainless steel sink; that I'm not above compensatory shopping.

I've been reminded/had confirmed that Laura is amazing and I love her immensely; that good and bad things in life don't stay neatly separate; that support often comes from unexpected quarters; that I'm blessed w/ wonderful husband, family and friends; definitely want to be in on Macchu Picchu!

 

Dan

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:43:51

Not sure I learned anything but was reminded that God's ways are not my ways and that understanding his decisions are beyond my capabilities. Not understanding is very frustrating to me.

 

Dan

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:45:25

Cindy,

I too am not above resorting to shopping therapy as I went and bouthg two very good bottles of Tequilla! I have not opened them but felt better.

 

Kenneth R. Morefield

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:22:34

Dan (and Cindy):

[Anyone from Campbell please avert your eyes momentarily...]

And how do we feel about compensatory drinking? (I.e. Have you drunk that bottle of Tequila yet?)

 

Erik

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:29:31

Let me just say for the record that the tequila was muy rico! :) Sure was fun watching Dan do shopping therapy. No human does classy tequila better than Dan Morefield. And Ken and Cindy, you need to have Dan show you the bottle of pre-made Cosmo mixer Dan found that afternoon too - very uptown.

 

Deanna

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:24:05

I have confirmed that my Aunt Laura is the STRONGEST women I know. I love you so much, and I am praying for you everyday.

 

Laura

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:21:18

Erik,

1. I am with you on not being able to parse your feelings while in shock...which is sort of unfair because it doesn't stop you from having them!

2. The story I tell myself these days has direct physical impact on the sensation in the areas impacted by cancer. If that doesn't tell us something, we're not listening.

3. Please feel free to bend the universe to your will. Nanobots, please.

4. Ditto.

5. Aw, shucks. (Seriously, thanks...very uplifting to read.)

6. I'm still planning on being there!

7. Ah, but can you cry, drive AND lose your contact on the freeway?

 

Laura

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:22:41

Todd,

Such an "easy" lesson that one...obvious that there are many choices where there is no clear cut answer...

And so why do I keep needing to relearn it?

 

Laura

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:28:03

Cindy Lou,

As I twittered to Erik, I am honored by your tears. (I assume at least some of them were because of the news, eh?).

Congrats on the tool learning...the compensatory shopping is not a "bad" thing, in my experience. I'm doing a bit of that myself these days.

Thanks for the compliment, for the affirmation that you want to be with me in Machu Picchu. I am so glad you've found comfort in expected and unexpected places.

The lesson about good and bad being all mixed up together is a good one. I'm finding amazing blessings that I barely would have noticed a week ago...and it's because of this monster's presence.

Shalom, sister.

 

Laura

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:30:11

Dan,

Not understanding is HORRIBLY frustrating. Why would God make me a control freak and then not let me have enough information to be in control??

<grin>

I am, however, still relieved that I'm not God. I wouldn't do a very good job, I'm afraid.

I love what Todd said in an email this weekend..."God loves you and wants you to be happy."

Some days that's apparent. Some days, it's an act of faith.

 

Laura

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:30:59

Ken, Erik and Dan--

The tequila awaits consumption. At least, as of this moment.

 

Laura

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:32:22

Deanna,

Thanks so much sweetie. I am not sure I'm stronger than you are...after all, you beat me at Monopoly AND Speed.

I may have to channel your competitive spirit and single minded focus a bit in the upcoming months. I've got good visuals for that!

love you SO much.

 



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