It's been 7 months since my Diagnosis of Colon Cancer. Surgery, Ilesotomy challenges, several ER trips, bowel obstruction, NG tubes and hospital stays...I'm still here. I don't think one can ever be "prepared" to face life challenges, hell, if we knew what we were in for, most of us would go hide in a corner sucking our thumbs for the rest of our lives.
One thing I am trying to always keep in the forefront of my mind is Gratitude. Now, many people refer to their journey's as "The Gift of Cancer"- meaning that the illness opened up their hearts and minds and they received so many gifts in the face of a terrible illness. I, personally think that is a contrite, cheesy, awful way to describe this terrible disease. Let's call a spade a spade folks, Cancer sucks.
What this journey has taught me is the absolute beauty of people- the givers, the doers, the casserole makers, and most of all the Prayer Warriors. I continue to be amazed at the wide circle of people who continue to pray for me. Not only my immediate friends an family, of course, but friends of my parents and in-laws, the kids of the friends of my parents, my church Community, past work colleagues, and the list goes on and on.
One of my most recent and beautiful gifts is from a woman from my Parish that heard about my illness. I don't know her personally, but our kids go to school and choir together. She made a trip to Lourdes last month and carried a medal of mine with her, had it blessed, lit an eternal candle for me and brought me back lots of Lourdes Water! She did that for me, a stranger! so overwhelming and beautiful a gesture.
I think what's overwhelming is that with each act of kindness, I often ask myself what I did to deserve this circle of prayer. I'm no extraordinary person. I'm not overly involved in any volunteer or community services. So how did I get so blessed?
I may never know the answer, but I DO know the power of prayer, and how it is continuing to heal me.
For each and every one of my Angels, I pray that God bestows on you the grace and blessings you have so freely given me.
XOXOXOX
Peggy
Sister of mine...How can you not know what an extraordinary person you are? When you were first diagnosed with cancer you said you knew there was a purpose. You said there had always been an emptiness. You wanted to give back and felt that this was going to lead you to fill that emptiness. You must not realize that you are giving back now and have been since you started journaling your story. You have so many gifts. You enlighten us, make us laugh, make us feel empathy and compassion not only for you but others who are sick and have not been able to express themselves so openly and honestly the way you do. You make us want to be better people and do more for others. You ARE a gift to all of us.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Katie
Peggy, Katie says it all!! The day I met you at Marquette, you made me want to be a better person. You have always been there for me, no matter how far apart we are. The written word has given you a freedom to express all the feelings that go with cancer that everyone feels but are often not able to express as ably as you do. Think of your journaling as God's way of giving you a job and bringing out your talent as a writer. What a gift to find at this time! Your prayer warrior circle has extended to my friends here in South Carolina, particularly my friend Sally, who is going through chemo for breast cancer. You are inspiring and I wish I could see you everyday. Yours in faith - kirsten
ReplyDeletePeggy, there are many, many Prayer Warriors out there for you. You touched my life when we first met at Cushman and were roomies - remember dragging me into Holy Name Cathedral? I think of that day often. I don't think the timing of our reconnection was an accident. You continue to inspire me and so many others. A friend of mine from Vermont was just diagnosed with colon cancer and this morning I gave her the link to your blog. :) Katie and your friend from SC are right on the money. You are a GIFT, and every day is a miracle.
ReplyDeleteMy family, friends in Wisconsin, Vermont and even the kiddos in Donovan's Catholic school are keeping you in their thoughts and prayers.
To know you is to love you my dear - if there is ever anything you need me to do - say the word - I'm on a plane to Chicago.
Keep the faith ~ we love you, and we're here for you. ♥ xoxo
Lori
OK Pegs...ya got me again...I had to wait to get myself together before I could post:) It goes without saying that I agree with what everyone else has posted.
ReplyDeleteYou, my dear, are one hell of a woman! Of course, I’ve always known that, its why I love you so much. You thank us for being there for you, quite honestly Peg, I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you remember correctly, you were there when shit hit the fan in my life, and really have been since. I miss my friend sitting by me at work, laughing, making comments, singing "shes a lady" (remember that:)! Reading your posts has allowed me to see another side of my friend...SHES A WRITER!!!:) Because you are my friend and I love you, when you write I feel your despair, pain, anger, humor, etc. right along with you. You're candor allows me to feel what you are experiencing and helps me to understand you and your battle with cancer better, and for that I thank you. I would love nothing more than to take it all away from you and have you sitting next to me right now. Instead, if you need something please do not hesitate to call me. I can have the beer (for Lee) and mojitos (for us) mixed up in no time!!! I miss you my friend.
I love you Peggy.
Hugs,
April
Dearest Friend…
ReplyDeleteFinally I have a free moment to write, so much has happened in your life over the past several weeks and in typical Peg fashion… it’s been some good, some not so good, some horrific and some terrific. And with every high and low moment in your journey you’ve handled it with incredible grace and (of course) your signature sense of humor. You obviously have no idea of the dramatic impact you’ve had on my life and so I’m going to tell you.
Just a few of the things I have learned throughout your journey…
Strength of spirit is not a gift we’re born with; it’s a decision and more often than not, a tough decision we have to make. You showed me that every time this bloody disease handed you yet another pile of crap and you DECIDED not to give up! True love isn’t the guy who brings us roses and candy and tells us we’re lovely when we’re at our best; it’s the guy who cleans up exploding pooh bags and sits with us during chemo treatments and still sees our beauty (how do I get me one?), your husband showed me that. Joy isn’t the result of a life where everything is perfect and lovely, real joy comes from recognizing a true act of kindness and appreciating it. Anger and self-pity are not healing agents, they’re destructive, but it’s love, gratitude and the uncanny ability to see humor in almost everything which promotes healing. I saw this especially when you had to take a long break from chemo (for all the wrong reasons) and your body continued to heal. Our bodies are designed to heal and yours is showing all of us how it’s done!
You’ve shown me what grace is, your friends and family have shown me what kindness, love and commitment to family is and Peggy, I count myself so very lucky to know you.
And so…thank you… thank you for fighting… thank you for loving… thank you for living… and thank you for sharing every step of the way with me.
All of my love, prayers and friendship,
Mary
I just found your blog for the first time through 2peas and have added it to my favorites. My father was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 50 so your blog really touches me.
ReplyDeleteI'll pray for you that you beat this cancer and make a full recovery!
Hey Peggy Luckey,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting your blog address at the ACSN colon cancer site.
I agree, Cancer Sucks! I wouldn't wish this on anyone and there are plenty of other ways to open hearts and minds and to learn to love life! I was actually doing quite fine with all of that other stuff Before Cancer anyways thank you very much!
Beauty of people... Yes! Gratitude... Yes! Yes! Overwhelming to tears at times!
Interestingly, I had a couple bring me a "healing candle" from Lourdes. I like these little gifts... "talismans of healing".
Keep on Blogging... Rob; in Vancouver
Dear Peggy,
ReplyDeleteYou are the inspiration. And not just because you share these amazing insights in your blog. I remember those many years ago in Spain, it was you who always had the smile on her face and the joy of the experience to share. Thank you! You are indeed in my prayers every day.
Peter Tedeschi