So, I was “stalking” on Facebook a few weeks ago and I saw
that a Facebook friend and gradeschool buddy had “friended” a mutual classmate
from my beloved St. Michael's School
I have been struggling with writing this post for several
weeks now because I want to do it justice.
I want to capture what she wants it to and to be honest, I’m not sure if
I can do it but I’ll try.
So, I’m happy to say, after I pursued Jenny on facebook, she
“friended” me. I began to find out a little more and even went to her blog at http://www.breastcancerbuttkickin.blogspot.com I learned a little more about her, her family
and her struggle. I learned that Jenny
was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2009. But with a blessing of an army
of friends, and angels surrounding her, a blog and many fundraisers were
started for Jenny to help fight this battle.
You can tell by the title of the blog that she has warriors on her
team!
We can only assume a fraction
of what she felt at this time, I’m sure it was devastating. Jenny puts it best,
“I have
felt confident in my decisions. I have felt the hand of the Lord in my life and
have no doubt that His Spirit has given me guidance. I am humbled by the love I
have felt from Him, and the knowledge that He is mindful of little me. Nearly
every morning there is temptation to fear, to be discouraged, but I choose not
to listen to that voice. I am happier than I have ever been. And I know I will
win this fight.”
Jenny is a fighter and proactive, so she began to lay out a
plan of how she was going to fight this.
Unfortunately the first obstacle to overcome was getting a double
mastectomy. She was on the path the doctors
had laid out for her, which included chemo and radiation. But after getting
conflicting reports from doctors regarding her prognosis, with much prayer and
with a blessing from her husband and support from her two children, Jenny
decided to go the naturalistic route than the one initially prescribed (chemo/
radiation). Jenny encourages everyone to
micromanage their health care from the beginning to determine the right path
for them.
For specifics of her prescribed care, I encourage you to
take a look at her blog.
During the course of her treatment there have been some ups
and downs but the fight continues. Jenny describes her feelings like this,
” I had a brief moment or two of grief, but otherwise have felt
completely peaceful and calm. I know that cancer is my refining fire. It is my
companion now, and I don’t have to be afraid of it . It brings me to my knees . . . and that is
when I can stand tallest “. I have
definitely gained more perspective than I ever dreamed of. The most powerful
thing which has changed me for good has been practicing gratitude. I had a
cancer survivor suggest to me that I take “gratitude walks” as often as I
could—to use as prayer if desired—and to think of nothing I want, but only
focus on the things I am thankful for. It is a powerful, life-changing practice,
I can tell you that. I am grateful for my cancer journey, as I believe it has
helped me become a better person. As I say (in my book-in-progress), Cancer
does not define me, but it refines me.”
With friends and family in her corner (her army of angels), Jenny
was able to make a small dent in the funds needed to fight this battle. But the
fight isn’t over even though the battle will be won. Go to Jenny's blog site to donate here .
or check out Jenny’s shirts http://www.foreverisbetter.com/ and
support Jenny in her fight against breast cancer.
I look forward to reading Jenny’s, soon to be published, book entitled…you guessed it…”No Pouting, No Doubting”.
DML
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