Lessons Learned - 2010

As I muse over the year 2010, I think of many events, both good and bad.  I’d like to share some of the lessons I’ve learned this year from those events/milestones.  I thank you dearly for sharing this life-changing year with me.

Jenny B’s Sudden Illness then Death (February 2010)

Learned: Life is so very fragile.  Each day should be seen as a gift.  Live each day with your family as if it were your last.

Discovery of a Lump (March 2010)

Learned: Always do breast self-examinations, even if you recently had a diagnostic mammogram.  No imaging device is 100% accurate.  This is especially true of you are young and have dense breast tissue.  “You never know what you’re walking around with.” – my mother

Cancer Diagnosis (April 2010)

Learned: (1) Sometimes a single phone call can change your life forever.  Fear can grip you and shock can numb you, but faith in God can bring you peace even when you hear devastating news.  Those who don’t know Christ can easily fall apart. (2) There are cancer survivors all around us.  It is both surprising and encouraging to see them ‘come out of the woodwork’ when you announce your own diagnosis.

Mastectomy (May 2010)

Learned:  (1) There may be times when you have to lose something for the sake of something more important.  It is worth it, if only for the peace of mind.  (2) I learned that true love and generosity exist among Christians.  The visits, meals, cards, and prayers anchored me as I began this long journey.

Chemotherapy (June – September 2010)

Learned: (1) It is so important to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel.  When Paul said “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds” (Philippians 4:7), he meant it literally!  (2) I learned that the human body is such a complicated, delicate, perfectly-balanced system, and that adding poison to it will cause all sorts of strange, long-lasting, side-effects.  (3) Cancer strikes people of all ages, races, and socio-economic levels.

Loss of Hair (June 2010)

Learned: Never underestimate the value of a woman’s hair and her sense of beauty.

My Baby Goes to Kindergarten (August 2010)

Learned: God will provide when you trust him and obey.  I didn’t expect to stop homeschooling Camille and enroll her in Kindergarten, but God gave her such a wonderful teacher and a love of learning.  God always makes a way, and sends messages of reassurance along that way.

Tricia L.’s Recurrence (September 2010)

Learned: (1) Cancer is nothing to take lightly; but God is still bigger!!!  (2) I also learned that there is a special kinship between cancer survivors.

Radiation (October – November 2010)

Learned: A body’s skin does not take well to daily burning with intense rays.  There is much a person will tolerate to ensure the death of all remaining cancer cells.  Medical technology is amazing!

Rest Time (December 2010)

Learned: Quiet times of rest for the body and the mind are critical for good health.  We must take good care of ourselves and allow others to help us when we need it.  It’s OKAY to rest and meditate.  It's an absolute must!