It was a cold night with the wind whipping outside her windows.  As she got into bed, she pulled the covers up really high over her as she snuggled into the fitted sheet beneath her.  Tugging once more on the heavy covers, she lost her grip and her fist rammed against her chest.  After feeling the initial pain, it soon subsided enough for her to get some much needed sleep that night.

Over the course of the next couple of days, she found a lump as she was showering.  Fear and panic set in, and soon a call was made to the doctor for an appointment.  Remembering the incident on that cold Winter’s night, she feared that she caused this due to the blow to her chest.  The doctor soon reassured her that wasn’t the case but sent her to a specialist for a more thorough examination.  After being sent for a biopsy, we waited for the results … days that seemed more like years …

In the meantime, our local Relay For Life was going on.  That Friday evening, I heard Martina McBride’s song for the very first time.

She dropped the phone and burst into tears
The doctor just confirmed her fears
Her husband held it in and held her tight
Cancer don’t discriminate or care if you’re just 38
With three kids who need you in their lives
He said, “I know that you’re afraid and I am, too
But you’ll never be alone, I promise you”

When you’re weak, I’ll be strong
When you let go, I’ll hold on
When you need to cry, I swear
That I’ll be there to dry your eyes
When you feel lost and scared to death,
Like you can’t take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.

She made it through the surgery fine
They said they caught it just in time
But they had to take more than they planned
Now it’s forced smiles and baggy shirts
To hide what the cancer took from her
But she just wants to feel like a woman again
She said, “I don’t think I can do this anymore”
He took her in his arms and said
“That’s what my love is for”

When you’re weak, I’ll be strong
When you let go, I’ll hold on
When you need to cry, I swear
That I’ll be there to dry your eyes
When you feel lost and scared to death,
Like you can’t take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.

And when this road gets too long
I’ll be the rock you lean on
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.
I’m gonna love you through it.

I sat under the vast sky with only the stage lights on as the young lady sang her version of this song.  Tears filled my eyes and soon spilled over making their way down my cheeks as I thought of my mother who was awaiting the results of the biopsy.

Days later, our lives were changed when she received the diagnosis:  breast cancer.  While she did not cause the breast cancer due to the blow to the chest, that is what caused her to FIND the lump.  Otherwise, she never would have felt in that spot, almost directly between her breasts but more so on her left side.

We gathered all of the information needed to make a decision about her treatment, and after consulting with the doctor, he agreed that a lumpectomy was all that was needed.  All?  As if that wasn’t significant to a woman who would have pieces of her flesh cut away while she and her family prayed that the cancer was contained and had not spread!  That was ALL that was needed.  That is HUGE to hear that you require ANY type of surgery!

The day came, and we gathered beside my mother’s hospital bed where she laid so quietly.  She had her little hospital gown on as well as one of those “hats” they place on your hair.  I tried to keep the moment light, even though I knew our hearts were all heavy.  I took a picture of my mother and teased her that she was rocking that cap.  I still have that picture today.

They wheeled my mother away to the operating room, with us walking along with them as far as they would allow.  There came a point where we could not go with her, and we tried to remain strong as they rolled her out of sight.

Tears fill my eyes now as I think of this moment in time.

We went back to the waiting room where silent prayers were lifted up to Heaven on my mother’s behalf.  Martina McBride’s song was still ringing in my ears.

I’m gonna love you through it!

How very powerful … and such truth!

No matter what, I knew that my family and I would love my mother through this.

They updated us on her progress during the operation, and soon we were able to see her in recovery.  When she was released from the hospital, we still had to wait on the results from the lab on the margin and the lymph nodes they removed as well.

Days went by until we finally received the news!  Thankfully, it appeared that the cancer was contained, and she would NOT need further surgery nor would she need chemo!  Praises went up flooding Heaven thanking God for this wonderful news.  While my mother still had to go through radiation, it was much, much better than having to endure chemo.  We were thankful … oh so thankful!

My mother’s radiation treatment was going along smoothly until she developed an infection.  It was uncomfortable until they were able to get it under control.  She finished her treatments and is now on a pill that she will take for five years to keep the cancer from coming back.  We pray … oh how we pray … that she will remain cancer free!

My heart goes out to any one that has ever had to go through this themselves … or whether you’ve watched, prayed, and loved your friends or family members through it.  When you felt as if you could not do anything for that person … you did!  You prayed!  AND you loved them through it all … their worries and concerns that lead to the doctor visit, their diagnosis, and then the treatment … you loved them through it all … and THAT is what they need most.  Your love, support, and prayers!