The Kids

Many of you have asked about how our kids are doing. They are fine. There are many ways of dealing with sharing a cancer diagnosis with your children, but Eli and I decided not to delay this step, and to tell our kids two days after I got the diagnosis. My primary reason for taking this approach was that I had told several friends and family members about what was going on, and I didn't want the kids hearing about this from some well-meaning person who might have accidentally said something to them. I wanted them to hear this news from me and in the safety and comfort of our own home.

So, on Sunday, October 10, we sat down at the kitchen table with Wes and Virginia. Graham was in the room with us, but was watching a video. We are a pretty straightforward bunch, so without much fanfare, I just said that I had found out that I had breast cancer. Before I could get out my next sentence, which was going to be "but I'm so lucky that they found it really early, and I'm going to be fine," Virginia had bolted out of her chair and up the stairs to her room, and was hysterical. Such a girl. Wes just sat at the table smiling, apparently trying to figure out if I was joking or not. Once I assured him that I wasn't joking, I asked him why he was still smiling, and he said, "I think that's pretty cool, Mom. You're going to be a Survivor like all those ladies we saw yesterday." (a reference to the Komen Race for the Cure). About this time, Virginia was coming back downstairs, and was still upset, but was starting to be open to hearing the "good news" about how it was detected so early and that I was going to be just fine. As she was calming down, Graham walked over to me and just gave me a big bear hug. I have no idea whether he was processing what was going on, or not, but if I were a betting woman, I'd say that he was, and that he knew that the thing I needed most was a hug.

I love my children. The thought of not being around for them is horrifying and I, like so many other women who have faced this diagnosis, will do everything I can to ensure that I'm around for a long, long time. Surgeries and radiation and even chemo seem a small price to pay for the gift of being able to live a long life with your children and grandchildren. My kids will be a big part of my journey through this experience, and I thank God every single day for blessing us with three very special little human beings.

Go have a fabulous day.

Love,

Erin