tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6799389873354992412.post4420397712420414872..comments2023-10-10T06:22:01.374-04:00Comments on Carole'sCreativeCritters: Heart Easel CardCarolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313357624338770764noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6799389873354992412.post-63937413709238020882012-05-23T22:39:37.876-04:002012-05-23T22:39:37.876-04:00On Being Dumbstruck
Although I've called this...On Being Dumbstruck<br /><br />Although I've called this comment 'on being dumbstruck,' I speak to BREAST CANCER AWARENESS here & now. Even to my own ears, I find that it's a strange thing to do on my sister's blog.<br /><br />May I have your kind attention on the topic, folks, be you male or female reading this. <br /><br />There are also those who hear with a special listening. You are the survivors. <br />You may be male or female. <br /><br />Men being mammals can be stricken by breast cancer. <br /><br />Breast cancer trauma: It can find its way to any human being. <br /><br />Breast cancer isn't sexist.<br /><br />I address the topic because I have recently learned that a professional woman I've known for 17 years is on her 2nd tumor. The 1st was handled by a lumpectomy. I hadn't known she had that surgery. After all, what business was it of mine?<br /><br />Shortly after greeting me by telephone, returning my email and voice messages after an unusually long interval, she apologized. <br /><br />She spoke some more and soon asked did I know that a recurrence was, in her own words, "an automatic mastectomy." <br /><br />I answered yes; unfortunately I did. <br /><br />She said she hadn't known that a recurrence would yield this recommendation. Finding out that fact was terribly shocking.<br /><br />She is a real professional in her field. She is also a friend who I respect, admire and revere for her expertise. We know each other via a specific 'professional circle.' After turning to her for her opinion for these 17 years, I do care for her as a human being. She is such a fine woman. She is a mother. She called me on Mother's Day to tell me she is recovering from a radical mastectomy. <br /><br />What words are adequate to express to a female when they've revealed to you that they are in the thick of breast cancer: When she is fearing for her life? <br /><br />Be they family, friend, colleague, neighbor. We find ourselves without words: Struck speechless. <br /><br />How do we support those who share this with us? <br />How can we voice that when we discover it? <br />How do we give comfort by words to those we care about? <br />What can we say to her when she is extremely private person, and for whatever reason, needed to reveal this to you?<br /><br />Sometimes there are no words, are there?snaggly1https://www.blogger.com/profile/02113367622848727855noreply@blogger.com