Best Christmas Ever

I love Christmas! It's the most special holiday of the year to me. Several years ago once my three children were grown and married we began a Christmas tradition that on Christmas morning they and their families would come over for a Christmas brunch.  Because of my recent cancer diagnosis a very special friend had volunteered to give up her Christmas morning to bring that brunch to my family - all 18 of us!  That sacrificial act of giving up her Christmas morning to bring us breakfast was overwhelmingly kind.  The food arrived around 10:30 am that morning and my children and grandchildren arrived soon after.  After hugs and greetings were given I ushered them into the dining room where the food was hot and waiting.  As each one came to the table I saw that they were all still wearing their coats. Before I could say anything about that every one of them threw off their jackets and all were wearing pink t-shirts that said, "TEAM CATHY". I was overwhelmed with emotion and immediately began to cry.  They too, l had tears in their eyes as we hugged and I expressed gratitude for the beautiful Christmas gift of love they had just given me.  Christmas is about Jesus birth and the precious gift God gave to us.  My family is a precious gift to me that I cherish deeply and - cancer or no cancer - this definitely was one of the best Christmas' I have ever had! 

 ~ Merry Christmas ~

~ Cathy

The Day My World Changed

It was the week before Thanksgiving and I had my grocery list written and ready to go buy the food needed for my Thanksgiving dinner. I first had to stop by the medical center and get my once-a-year mammogram,  and then I'd be on my way shopping. The mammogram went as usual - the awful squishing of the boobs - but this time I was told they wanted to do an untrasound too. OK. That was taken and before I knew it the radiologist had come in and told me they had found a mass in my left breast. What did that mean?  He said a biopsy needed to be done. That was scheduled for the following week.

The fear was overwhelming and the waiting was unbearable.  We had Thanksgiving as usual and I didn't say anything to my children.  Why worry them if it wasn't necessary, right?  Finally the day came and my husband and I went in to find out the results.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. McBroom, the results show you have breast cancer." That was the day my world changed.

I could hardly believe what I was hearing. I was in shock. And I was scarred!  The next few weeks were spent finding doctors, scheduling appointments and trying to adjust with the fact I have cancer.  The big "C" word word had always scarred me and it was so very hard to believe that I now had it.  My breast looked the same as always - no lumps, no sore spots - maybe they had made a mistake?  But no, it was real - I had breast cancer!

Sharing the news with my grown children was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.  The anguish and shock on their faces said it all.  I tried to be strong and encouraging to them while all the while shaking on the inside with my own fears.  At this point we didn't know what stage, how advanced, and what my prognosis was.

As it turned out, I had Stage One, Invasive Carcinoma.  My onocologist said that the tumor was very small and it was a very good thing they caught it early.  Surgery was scheduled for January.

Within the week of my diagnosis my father-in-law died suddenly.  Two major blows so close together.  Our hearts were broken as we headed to Tennessee for the funeral.  We returned home the week before Christmas.  How could I find joy this Christmas season with so much saddness?

Sometimes life is just overwhelming! It's almost more than we can handle.  In the midst of trials and pain - only the Lord's comfort, and his strength can get us through.

Praying this Christmas season will be one of overwhelming PEACE & JOY.

~ Cathy