That Day...

Today, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am posting in memory of my mother-in-law, Sue. Cancer is such a bully, we pray for a cure.

That day...that day was horrible. It's never fun to watch someone you love go through trials, but that day and the diagnosis that came with it, proved many a trial would come.  The diagnosis, to be exact, was inflammatory breast cancer along with ductal carcinoma.  The patient was my soon-to-be mother in law.  The physical change in her took place in a matter of hours.  She woke up with redness and pain in one breast and saw her physician that same day.  Immediately, a round of antibiotics were prescribed, but before she left the office, appts had been set up for ultrasounds and biopsy.  The Dr, knew, she knew, and we knew as well.  a few short days later, testing confirmed everyone's fears...invasive, aggressive breast cancer.  The statistics at that time were horrible...3% of those diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer survived past 5 years.  In 1999, we had internet for research, but little could be found about this type of cancer and what we found was dismal.  I remember researching with Travis with tears streaming down his face...I remember the feeling of defeat I had as I watched him digest the news.  I remember his momma's brave face as she comforted her husband and only living son...telling them she was going to be fine.  I remember watching her leave her job with the realization that she would never go back.  I remember walking into her treatment facility so weak she couldn't walk, but forcing a smile and being determined to show God's love.  I remember her insisting on family dinners at her house even though the smell of food made her vomit.  I remember rubbing lotion on her bald head because it was chapped and bleeding from radiation.  So many memories, this disease takes so much from those it touches--physically, emotionally, and for some spiritually. 

The fighting of her disease was valiant, so many times I saw her as a warrior.  It was because of her that we learned the true definition of putting on the full armor of GOD! She endured so many surgeries I couldn't begin to list them all...double mastectomies, port placements, a back fusion when cancer had eroded her spine and paralysis was immanent, etc.  Numerous rounds of radiation and chemo...and horrible side effects were just a part of her life.  Yet, her light shone so brightly.  At the end of her life, when the cancer had obliterated her liver, she was very jaundiced.  She looked at her Dr., who was not a believer, and said, "My light is shining right through my skin now." He actually looked down speechless and said, "You have NO idea." As I think of this wonderful soul, I can't help but miss her deeply in my spirit.  Yet, I am beyond thankful for the things she taught me in those 5 years. Thank you, Sue, for who you were, for the son you raised that blesses me daily, and for taking care of our children in Heaven. You live on in a big way everyday.  Cancer didn't beat you, you just got your prize a little quicker than the rest of us.

Phillipians 1:3, I thank my God on every remembrance of you...