Cathy went to pick up her prescription at the pharmacy in our local grocery store. The prescription wasn’t quite ready, so she sat down on the small bench to the side of the pharmacy area. As she was sitting there, an older woman walked up slowly and sat next to her.

As is often the case while waiting, a conversation started up between the two. After a bit of small talk, the woman said “Ever since yesterday, I’ve been praying and thinking. And thinking and praying. And praying. And thinking”.

Cathy looked at her, and waited for her to continue.

“I’m 81. I’m a 37 year breast cancer survivor and now it’s back.”

She’d just found out the day before that cancer was now in her other breast. She hadn’t yet told her family. She hadn’t yet confided in her husband. She didn’t know what she was going to do.

37 years ago, when breast cancer struck the first time, she had a mastectomy and one breast was removed. After the mastectomy, she went through chemo. She remembered both the mastectomy and the chemo vividly and didn’t want to do either a second time.

They talked for awhile. There were discussions of alternate treatments, and the progress that has been made. They talked about the difficult recovery from her first mastectomy. They talked about doing an easier pill to keep it at bay, knowing it would not be curative.

I wasn’t there, but I think in addition to thinking and praying, she just wanted someone to talk with, and maybe to think out loud.

About then, her husband shuffled up and sat down. He looked frail, and timid, and suddenly Cathy understood. The woman has been the strong one, at least in recent years, and she would have to take charge of this situation as well.

They changed the subject and talked for a few more minutes until Cathy’s name was called. Cathy paid for her prescription, and then she and the lady said goodby to each other.

Cath recounted the story to me that evening, and since then, the woman has stuck in my head. I’ve been thinking of her, and praying that she finds the solution that is right for her and her family.

Cancer can be so debilitating, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I think that’s what is so troubling about this story – cancer is relentless, and sometimes, it’s hard for us to be as relentless. “Be strong”, we say. Sometimes strength takes on different forms.

******

As I finished writing this blog, I was feeling a bit low thinking about the woman and what she was going through. Then, a post came across my FB feed from a friend, Miggy (Margaret), that raised my spirits a bit. She is doing the Fauquier County Relay for Life in June of this year. If you have some spare dollars, please consider donating to her campaign at: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLCY19NER?px=48889759&pg=personal&fr_id=92477

–Peace–