Saturday, May 10, 2008

Why Me

There is an organization called Y-Me who supports women and their families who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. When I was diagnosed at age 31 with breast cancer in September of 2000 I simply could not identify with a group that called itself Why Me. I swear I never once thought Why Me...why NOT me? Yes, I suppose I was a little young to have been given the diagnosis of breast cancer but I always had the feeling Why Not Me? One in 8 of us women will supposedly deal with this diagnosis in our life times. When you lined me up with 7 other women I guess I just never thought I would stand out as being any different on the inside and therefore Why NOT me?

For the first time in the 7 1/2 years since my diagnosis and subsequent remission after surgery, chemo, and radiation I have thought Why Me? Why have I been given the gift of life...or as it is...more life? How did I win this cancer lottery of sorts and then go on to have the two most amazing children in my life? I have my husband who loves me for who I am, I have my immediate family who supports everything I do. I have everything. Why Me?

These Why-Me thoughts have been brought on by a re-lapse of a friend I met along my cancer journey. She is a woman my age who happened to be a friend of a friend. She was about a year behind me in diagnosis and we were able to meet and become friends as we both finished our treatments. We attended cancer fundraisers together periodically, we walked a race or two together. After her treatments ended and she was pronounced in remission she married a wonderful man. The Muffin Man and I went to the wedding. She wanted children. Where I decided to never try for a pregnancy again for fear of tipping the hormonal balance I pursued the adoption route with avengence, she made the decision to have biological children. She had her first baby 2 years ago. His name is Henry. Then she had a second son, Cooper in September 2007. After the birth of her Henry she appeared radiant to me, swelling with pride and love for that little boy as I sat on her couch while visiting. She should be living life, loving her husband, kissing her kids and working at her career.

But she is not. A few weeks ago she was told her cancer had spread to her lung, liver and possibly her brain. She has been immediately transported to another world...one that is filled with treatments, surgeries, chemo, radiation and fear of leaving a young family too soon.

Her name is Tiffany. She is not yet 40 years old. She is real and wears label of cancer on her lovely creamy white skin and in her strawberry blond hair. I guess I could certainly understand if she was now asking Why Me.

If you are one to say a prayer, or send a positive message into the universe would you please think for a moment of Tiffany and her family?

13 comments:

M3 said...

Sending good thoughts into the universe for Tiffany and for her whole family, the strongest ones I've got.

Anonymous said...

Consider it done, Tiffany, and I won't forget as tomorrows come.

Traci

Nikki said...

I'm so sorry, Perrin.
I will definitely be praying for Tiffany and her family.

Lisa~~ said...

Sending good thoughts for your friend Tiffany and her entire family.

Johnny said...

I wish peace for your friend. We have a friend who has been battling for 2 years now. She's in the in-between place. Not remission, not cancer, just waiting for other things to go away.

Anonymous said...

Perrin,
I've followed your lovely blog for awhile and knew you were a survivor, but didn't know that you've passed the 7 year mark. Congrats. I am a fellow survivor also. I will pray for Tiffany and her family.
Tara

Anonymous said...

Thinking of your friend. I am sorry.

Spacemom

Anonymous said...

I will definitly do so. Having had a Mother with breast cancer who is now battling pre-Leukemia, I understand how this disease takes its toll on a family.

Anonymous said...

Oops, that's me about from my book blog!
Stephanie
Forks&Chopsticks

Anonymous said...

Hi Perrin,
I usually leave comments at Pink Evita -to the tune of 'I want that one'. I read here too and will keep Tiffany in my prayers for sure.
Much love to both of you,
Jennifer

my3 kids said...

I am so sorry for your friend Perrin...I will be praying for her and her family. I lost my father to Cancer when he was 40.

Thumbelina's Mom said...

I will be remembering your friend in prayer.

Kristin said...

Tiffany will stay in my prayers...