(the story goes on…)

My mom's medical history has always alarmed my doctors.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 44 and died ten days after her 46th birthday.  She was so young!  My whole adult life, doctor visits have held much discussion on this subject.  That's why what has unfolded for me took me by surprise.  I didn't see it approaching the way it did.
"There must have been something in the water back in Arkansas," has been a common remark between my first cousin and me.  We have often tried to analyze why my dad's side of the family has been so affected by cancer.  It's almost a creepy-like pattern that leaves us wondering who might be next.  My cousin' mom was one that passed away from ovarian cancer at the young age of 40.  My dad's twin sister died of uterine cancer (age 48) and an older brother's life was claimed by leukemia.  Not only that, my dad has had two bouts with colon cancer and lots of basal cell cancer issues as well as some melanoma.
As I began to have difficulties, much attention was again given to my family history.  Every doctor visit included a rendering of the past.  More attention began to be given to my dad's side of the family, rather than my mom's.  Suggestions were made to possibly consider genetic testing.  I had no real understanding of this and didn't take it too seriously.  To me, it was a fluke that I had uterine cancer, nothing connected- just another way my body was betraying me- par for the course.
I had a re-occurence of uterine cancer only 3 months after my hysterectomy.  That sent everyone scrambling.  I was quickly in for another cat-scan where a red flag went up concerning my colon.  Again genetic testing was presented because uterine and colon cancer are associated with a particular cancer syndrome.  I skirted around the issue again, still not comfortable with pursuing it.  My only focus was to make it through a huge colon surgery, followed by many weeks of radiation.
I was with my cousin on this one.  We were sticking to the Arkansas water theory.  Genetic testing seemed to modernized for me, too weird.  What was the point of it?  Would insurance drop me?  Would I become a medical freak- removing unnecessary body parts?
…to be continued…
Just for fun, because of the water reference, and because this verse is so meaningful to me…
Isaiah 43:2  "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire- you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

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Peace is possible in the midst of broken pieces of your life. We can live life by design and create a beautiful picture of God’s faithfulness... even in the midst of brokenness. Join me on this journey and sign up to receive blog posts in your inbox.

Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.

Psalm 33:22 (NLT)