Saying the word

One thing I have struggled with is saying the word "cancer" to Annaleigh. I am not sure why. It would really be no different than identifying a cup as red, or the sky as blue. But, for some reason, I guess for the power and the fear inherent in the diagnosis, I have had a hard time calling my "boo-boo" cancer.

I was talking to a friend about this, and she suggested that it would probably be good for Annaleigh to hear the word cancer. It would take the power away from it, putting it more on the emotional level of a cold. And, so I did.

We were on the way to get my bloodwork done, and she asked about why I had to go to the doctor (to paraphrase). So, I told her. I explained that we get lots of boo-boo's that heal by themselves. That is the way Jesus made our bodies. It's wonderful! But, my boo-boo is called cancer, and the doctor was able to take all of the boo-boo out of my my breast, and that is great! But, I have to still take medicine so it won't come back. And we have also asked Jesus to help the medicine work. Thus, I explained my cancer, using the word, and the world did not end, and she did not seem the least bit traumatized.

Cancer is still a scary word. But, I am grateful for my current status...for the medical expertise that is defeating it, and for Jesus who is also defeating it in the short term and the long run. It is good to not have to be afraid.