Humbled by prayers and support

This seems like a good spot to mention one aspect of cancer that has been a huge blessing to me: the overwhelming encouragement and support I've received from those around me.

From the moment I started to tell people about my diagnosis, I received emails, phone calls, cards, and gifts. People who had been on the periphery of my life contacted me to ask if there was anything they could do to help. I had offers from cleaning my house to bringing meals to my family and going with me to doctor's appointments. So far, I haven't had to take anyone up on those offers, but I'm keeping them in mind in case I need them during my treatment phase.

Telling my co-workers about having cancer seemed to knock down all of the social barriers and bring about an emotional intimacy that couldn't have happened any other way. I've had women tell me that they, too, had cancer years ago and they are doing fine now. I would have never known this about them if I hadn't told them about my situation first.

I am just amazed at the care, love, and concern from people, especially those who I don't know very well.

I am humbled and overwhelmed and full of emotion and gratitude for the people that God has placed in my life. The interesting thing is, some of the people who I felt closest to were the ones who hung back and said nothing. At first, this bothered me, but I've realized that I need to have compassion on them as well. They don't know what to say, they feel bad about my cancer, and they aren't experienced with these kind of things. Believe me, I can relate.

Some people are just better at compassion than others (they have a "gift" of mercy). In my case, I believe I've always had a bent toward mercy, but that I've squelched it over the years. My prayer is that this journey will help me to become everything God intends for me to become, and that includes letting loose the gift of compassion.

On the somewhat humorous side (really, you've got to laugh about it or you'd cry) are those people who, when learning you have cancer, tell you about all the people they've known who have died from cancer. After they're finished telling you, they look at you and say, "Well, I guess you don't want to hear about that." Uh . . . yeah . . .

In my scouring of the Internet for breast cancer sites, I found this humorous website that compiles inappropriate remarks made to cancer patients. Some of them are pretty unbelievable (I've experienced a few myself, but I won't mention them--the person who made the remark might be reading this blog).

Here's the website. It's good for a laugh (or else you'll want to punch someone). :~)

The Orthodox pray during every liturgy: "that we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance." That has truly become my prayer.

We also pray for "all things good and profitable for our souls" and "for our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity."

The prayer that most sticks with me and that I have prayed many times since my diagnosis with cancer is, "Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace."

Personalizing that prayer, for what more could I ask? ("Help me, save me, have mercy on me, and keep me, O God, by Thy grace.")