Thoughts From Mary...

I accept this challenge from God who will not give me more than I can handle. If the footprints I see in the sand are God's because he is carrying me, then the three that I see beside His are from my husband, my daughter, and my twin sister. And, all those behind Him are from my family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. This effects not just me, but all of those around me, and I must say, I have the BEST surrounding me. So, when you question how we (Dave, Erin, and I) are able to get through this, just know that it is all the people that support us that makes it possible. I am a twin, which means that I am never alone, as she is made up of me, and I am made up of her. Where she ends, I start, and where she starts, I end. When you pray, please pray for not only me, but for those closest to me, and for those that this also reaches out to because they know me.

These past few weeks have been quite a whirlwind. As soon as Dave and I heard the awful news, all I wanted to do was to shout it from the rooftops, so everyone could start praying for us. Really, I have to go through something else; wasn't the brain tumor enough just two short years ago? I remember saying to my twin sister, an abnormal mammogram, oh, it must just be "dense tissue" like last time because God would never give me cancer. Everyone asks, how are you doing? My first response is I'm good, how are you? It is easier to be positive than it is to be negative, so please understand that and don't think that I am in denial. I must have people around me to survive, so don't shy away from me, and don't ever think that you are bothering me because I absolutely need your strength.

I am so surprised to know how common breast cancer is. There isn't anyone that I talk to that doesn't know someone or has been through this themselves. The good thing about this is the medical world is getting better at taking care of it. The bad thing is that it has become almost as common as the flu virus. So, you ask yourselves what you can do to help, and you feel helpless, I say, educate yourselves. The more we all know about this and how to deal with it the better we can help all of those that are yet to get it as well. Read, learn, explore, and then teach. By the time my daughter reaches 30, she must start getting mammograms since she now has a history. By then, I hope that all she needs to know about it, is so commonplace that they are teaching it in school.

As you can see, my husband is my greatest support. Nothing can express the love I have for him and Erin. I love all of you as well. Here is something you can do for me today...instead of having anger enter your mind and thoughts today, turn it into a smile and a soft heart. Then tell someone around you how much you care and love them.

Mary