susan's story...
You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what's a life, anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die. A spider's life can't help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone's life can stand a little of that.
~ Charlotte, "Charlotte's Web"
OK, OK, calm down. Don’t get me wrong – I didn’t shout “YIPEEE! Cancer! I was hopin’ I’d get that!!” Hanging out with my oncologist is not QUITE as much fun as a night backstage with Keith Urban. Cancer sucks. I know that. I have experienced the devestation of Cancer. But, I promise you this - being down, sad and afraid is NOT going to help you or anyone around you. You need to laugh. Hence, Mary and I are here to save your day, to help you focus on what is good.
So here's my story. And it ain't pretty.
My journey began when I was 10 years old and my mom lost her battle with breast cancer. Physically, her experience was much more difficult than mine - thank God for good research and women like my mom who were the silent uphill leaders to a better view. Now that I'm older, wiser and am wearing her shoes, I am just beginning to understand just how tough it must have been for her emotionally, as a mother and a wife. I feel closer to her now than ever before.
Cancer has wreaked havoc in my life three times since then - my
grandpa died in 1986 of prostate cancer, my father-in-law died at
age 57 from kidney cancer, and my mother-in-law died at age 62 from
lung cancer. Needless to say, as I sat on the couch on that Spring day
of 2005 and felt a small lump in my breast, I was more than just a tad
concerned.
The diagosis came on April 6th, and the war was waged.
I've got breast cancer. But with the help of my wonderful doctors,
I'm fighting a good fight & I'm going to win. My family, friends, and community have been incredibly supportive and I thank God every day for the wonderful people who surround me in my neighborhood, in my church, and in my life.
Susan with Mary's dog, Buster. He's her biggest fan. His brain is itty-bitty and he is untrainable. We only keep him because he's so darn cute.
Life is a gift and we should live each day to the fullest. This is best done while golfin' in a bathing suit.
(susan's mom)
MANY thanks to Todd Hine, Susan's former classmate, for sending this newsclip. Around here, we agree that Susan is indeed a very intersting student to know. Also, we like the way she spells phsycology.
