Its not about me... my friend Gitz, when she was buried, wore a shirt emblazoned with the phrase, "Its not about me..." I was never fully able to grasp the concept until I began dealing with my own diagnosis and treatment. The lessons have been hurtling at me ever since. Today, I can more fully appreciate the wisdom of my Sara. Truly, its not about me...
The irony is not lost on me. I had to go to wound care yesterday. When the door to the exam room swung open I recognized Nancy. I hadn't seen her around in months. I greeted her warmly and asked how she was? She is different somehow, and I know that something has changed. Well, she hesitates, then says, I've been gone and you of all people will completely understand... I have breast cancer. I had lumpectomy, chemo, and just began radiation. Dr. Panwalkar is my doctor. Don't you just love him? She beams at me.
I do, I smile back and we have just transcended nurse-patient relationship. She has her story to tell, and I need to listen and let her tell it. Its not about me...
So while she treated my wound, we chatted about chemo and about when your hair grows back and the fatigue of radiation. It was somewhat of a role-reversal as I answered more questions than I asked. I hugged her when I left, sad she joined the club, happy she is doing so well.
I'm off to the grocery store trying to sneak in some shopping before my wound starts to throb. I am thinking about last year at this time when I went grocery shopping after wound care....
I push the filled cart through the doors and see the magazine racks are fully stocked... Could it be? Is it here early? I thought it would we weeks before I saw this...
I grab a coulpe of copies and turn to the inside... yep- that's me!
Almost a year to the day I had the experience at the grocery store- on the minds of mms publishes the story. If you live locally you can find the magazine at Sunmart, Hornbachers, and Hugos in Grand Forks.
Or you can read my submission here at on the minds of moms...
I'm so honored... Thank you Dani!
Thank you to everyone who has wished me well and prayed for the return of my health. I am feeling so much better! My energy has returned and the dizziness has subsided. I'm so grateful...
What a wonderful article -- thank you for sharing the link with those of us who live far away!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so glad you're feeling better.
Thank you so much Susan! May I ask how far away you are? The reach of a blog always amazes me :)
DeleteBlessings on your day!
My lovely Vicky!
ReplyDeleteIt´s great to hear that you be well! I am thinking often about you ... now as the christmastime is coming!
Today I will have a nice evenig with my mom, my aunt and my cousin. We will bonding our advent wreaths.
I will bonding a wreath with many mind to you. I will bond in it love, lightness, a little bit of an angel who will take care about you and LIGHT ... "one little word" for you in 2012.
A little experiment to be together ... whats are thousands of miles if this can joinig us???
(I hope I wrote all in a way to get one´s ideas across).
Bussals from cold, cold and snowy Bavarian.
Mimi
Hi sweet Mimi~
DeleteI always know your heart Mimi and that is what shines through all of your words- love and sweetness from Mimi- always. I wish you a joyous and happy time with your family and a wonderful beginning to your Advent season!
Many bussals to you in snowy Bavaria!
I love you Vicky! Sending you more prayers and blessings - keep on keeping on my sweet friend! And I say back to you, "its not about me" truly its not. I remember being so inspired when you asked your readers to send prayer requests so you could pray during treatment. When I was (and sometimes still) having some of my hardest most painful moments durning the last 9 months - I too would stop and think and pray for someone else - for you often times - and its amazing how it works and helps!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear you are feeling better - extra prayers for that dang wound to heal!
xoxoTiffany
Love you back sweet friend! Sara would pray for others often, despite her pain and discomfort- she taught me well and I simply pass those lessons along- I hope it honors her and ultimately honors Him. So grateful for your prayers and all the comfort they bring me.
DeleteLove to you!
I am so happy to know you! You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea why my name didn't show up.... This is Sandi :)
ReplyDeleteSandi- my heart just skipped a beat- miss you- hopeful to be reading and catching up with you soon!
Deletexoxo and please hug those kiddos for me :)
So, so glad you are feeling better. I find that the passage if time is so surreal. I'm at the point where I'm seeing thes seasons, annual events for the second time while living with cancer, and I find it so strange for lack of a better word.
ReplyDeleteExactly- it is surreal- that is a good way of putting it. So glad we're getting more seasons and the moments are all adding up :)
DeleteWOW what a moment to find yourself in the magazine! :) So awesome. Also, so glad you are feeling better :)
ReplyDeletePrayers to you and your wound.
Hugs,
Michelle
Thanks Michelle- you are often in my thoughts and prayers as well :) hugs to you~
DeleteSo proud of you. She is too. Love you kiddo.
ReplyDeleteThanks sweet Shan- hugs to you friend :) Love you~
DeleteThank you Robin~ xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank God Vicky!
ReplyDeleteThanks Vic!
Deletei have not been traveling around in blog world very much lately and i just wanted to check in here to see how and what you're doing....
ReplyDelete"it's not about me".....wow, those are 4 very powerful words, aren't they....thanks for the lesson !!
xo
Yes- that is one of the lessons I've had to learn repeatedly- and that life is in the waiting is the other one thats been hit home and made for the basis of the article :) Thanks for checking in on me! I hope you too are well :)
DeleteI'm so glad you are feeling better! So so happy for you to be featured.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Marla! I hope you are well also!
DeleteThis is one of the most awesome things I have read in a very long time....thanks so much for sharing! Your sharing is such a blessing!
ReplyDeleteKim~ your words truly bless me :) Thank for the gift of you!
DeleteVicky this is such a beautiful story...so moving. You amaze me day in and day out. Writing is your calling, as are your many other gifts.
ReplyDeleteBonnie~ gosh, that is a huge compliment and I never know how to properly respond to it- but just thank you!
DeleteSo glad you are feeling better Vicky. Wish I could find that magazine in my store. Congratulations you talented girl. Your writing is always riveting.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lilly~ yes, its a local magazine that has graciously embraced my musings and ramblings :) But I love that so many from across the world are growing acquainted with it through FB and Blog land!
DeleteIt's not about me....famous words of Lance Armstrong! I think you were in the right place at the right time. You and Nancy were meant to cross paths! Glad to hear you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteFamous words by many I think- and so relevant they are worth repeating! Yes, I don't think it was a coincidence that Nancy and I crossed path again at wound care that day :)
DeleteVicky, I saw that issue but failed to grab a copy on the way out of Hornbacher's last night, distracted by something my daughter had pulled me toward. I'm so excited to read it! I'm going to wait and read it in magazine form. !!! So proud of you!
ReplyDeleteWell then you are in good company- because my own mother did the very same thing! Ha- I am running a copy over to her later :) Thanks for the encouragement friend!
DeleteHi Vicky,
ReplyDeleteYour article was beautiful and such a timely reminder! Doesn't He just have it all so intricately planned and we could so easily rush right through it, unawares.
Bless you dear one and your family this Christmas!!
Deb
You are such an inspiration to me Vicky and I read this post a few days back wanting to comment and here I am three days after :/
ReplyDeleteIt's a blessing that you and Nancy are in each other's life, keeping turn in being strong for each other.
Congratulations on the magazine article Vicky, I am going there to read it now xo