You're Not the Only One

I am keenly aware of the fact that everyone -- regardless of age, income, race or social status -- has challenges in life. I learned this lesson years ago as couples I thought had the perfect marriage announced they were divorcing, or as I learned that another family's seemingly perfect teenager was struggling with depression and suicidal ideations. I learned long ago not to look at other people and assume that their lives were perfect; no one has a perfect life. We all have struggles.

I was once again reminded of this fact, however, yesterday, as I sat in the parent waiting room at one of my middle child's therapy programs. I was sharing with one of the employees there that I had been diagnosed with breast cancer. There were three other parents in the room who listened intently, and for a brief moment, I felt "special."

What transpired next, however, was one of the most unexpected and moving conversations in which I've been involved in a long time. After I shared my situation, each of the other three parents in the room ended up sharing their own recent health issues. One parent had been diagnosed with a terrible neck cancer that, while once was deemed "terminal," recently had simply abated and disappeared. Just weeks ago, he was declared "cancer-free." Another parent shared how she recently had undergone surgery for two masses in her body, neither of which turned out to be cancer, but both of which could have turned into cancer had they not been removed. The third parent talked about a serious neck condition for which she had had a complicated and lengthy surgery several years ago.

As the parent whose cancer recently has disappeared told us his story, and shared with us how many people had been praying for him, and how grateful he was that God had heard and answered those prayers, we all sat mesmerized, thinking undoubtedly about our own experiences, and so grateful to hear this parent's powerful testimony, and to be blessed by his amazing outlook on life and prayer and family and God.

Not for a minute do I think that I'm the only person walking around with challenges, or that I'm somehow special because I've had this experience with breast cancer. My main motivations in writing this blog were to have a record of the experience, and hopefully to provide hope and encouragement to women facing this diagnosis in the future. As we walk through our lives, and face the challenges with which we are presented, we cannot forget that everyone we encounter has trials and tribulations, and that we can be a blessing in other people's lives, regardless of what we're facing. I was grateful for yesterday's powerful reminder of this truth.

Erin