Another Milestone - Saturday, April 24, 2010

I passed another milestone today. It was the one year anniversary of the day I was diagnosed with cancer. I think I can honestly say that was one of the worst days of my life to date. That morning, I left for Einstein Hospital innocently thinking I would be back at work by eleven o’clock after a routine breast aspiration. After three attempts, my doctor sent me to the Women’s Center for a mammogram and ultrasound. Two mammograms, one ultra-sound, a core biopsy, and hours later, I was confronted with a preliminary diagnosis of cancer. I left the doctor’s office dazed, bracing myself for the journey home. I remember how long the trip seemed as I kept encountering traffic jams en route. I am still grateful to God that my sister forced me to get a cell phone a few months prior. The phone contact kept me focused as I drove back to Springfield. Actually, I should have gone home, but instead I went to Martindale’s. I have no explanation for it, but in distressing times, I find it helpful to maintain my routine. So, instead of heading home, I stopped at Martindale’s in order to pick up a few items. My best friend met me in the parking lot. She bought the groceries for me, then sat with me in the car. We prayed, cried, and laughed together for over an hour, then I drove home. That night, my sister and I did the same. I went to bed in a daze, my thoughts whirling over the events of the day and what the future might hold. Now, exactly one year has passed, and I am so glad to be on this side of the journey. Even though that day holds a lot of difficult memories, I believe that because of it my future is full of new opportunities. I am eager to experience them and see where they may lead.