Echo Zone
My cousin's journey
Not very often we get this wake-up call. Today it was this letter from a cousin diagnosed with cancer. She sent this to family and friends with a subject I thought was about her regular travels throughout the world. I was wrong, reason why I felt sharing this would get it right. A "wake-up call" because once again silently nudged into our existence is this realization that life is precious, family is precious and God is the reason that all these are precious. I yield this space for my cousin's letter, hoping for more prayers and may this also serve as an inspiration to all others who are hurting and scared because of a loved one's sickness. Our family like any other families have been through tough times. For now, we rally behind Rorie and her family as we put our trust in God.
To my dearest family and friends,
Exactly a week ago today, Friday, July 21 to be exact, I was diagnosed to have endometrial cancer. Prior to my diagnosis, I was hospitalized for 2 days because I needed blood transfusion as my hemoglobin was dangerously very low. What I thought was just a bad case of the flu turned out to be something more serious. I've always had a history of dysfunctional uterine bleeding and because I was so afraid of doctors, I thought that my recent bleeding was just like my previous ones wherein I was not really losing "good blood". So, I was transfused with 3 packs of packed RBC and my OB-GYN took a biopsy which she also thought was a benign polyp. She even told me not to worry about it and that I should just concentrate on gaining back my strength as my hemoglobin is not yet corrected. You cannot correct it to its normal value because you might have a heart attack as your body got used to a very minimal amount of blood supply for quite some time.
I was asked to return for a check up last Friday for my biopsy result, that was 3 days after I was discharged from the hospital and when I walked into my doctors clinic, she had a very sad look on her face. She did not even have to tell me, I knew the results were not good. I always thought that my greatest fear was finding out that I had some sort of malignancy, but believe it or not, I could not even cry. I expected my body would turn cold and my hands clammy but I did not feel all that. Instead, I felt a sense of calm and peace enveloped my body as if God gave me a hug and assured me that I will be okay.
What I thought was my greatest fear is not my greatest fear after all. There is a good side to this journey and it was the reasurrance from my doctors that my cancer is more likely to be in its early stage and most probably I will not undergo any chemo or radiation treatment after. I will admit that although I am a bit scared of my upcoming surgery, I know that after that, I will be well.
I ask you to please pray for me and my family most especially my parents. I know that what I am going thru right now is very hard for them more than it will ever be for me. I see and feel the sadness in their eyes and that for me is actually the most difficult thing to deal with. Do not worry because I promise to get well. I feel in my heart that while am writing this, I am healed. so thank you very much for all the love, concern and prayers that you offered for my speedy recovery. My family and I are so overwhelmed with the love that you have given me. I always knew that I was loved... I just never expected that I was loved so very much. It was like feeling God's embrace. I will update you about my condition soon. Again, from the bottom of my heart, Thank You for all your love and prayers. If love can move mountains, then I see no reason why it can't heal. God Bless us all.
Love,
Rorie