one more blessing

I wrote a blog a couple of weeks ago counting my blessings. As most of you know, I lost someone I loved dearly to cancer this summer and finding happiness has been a challenge. I hoped outlining some of the wonderful things in my life would help with the grieving process, especially since my late friend always urged me to focus on the good. If you read the blog, you might have noticed the absence of “good health” on the list. This was not a mere oversight, but a purposeful omission as I was afraid being healthy was not something I could count among my blessings and didn’t want to jinx myself.

I had my annual mammogram in late June. Although the mammogram was normal, it was suggested I have an ultrasound because cancer is difficult to detect in a mammogram on someone with “dense” breasts like me. The ultrasound picked up a minuscule (less than .5 millimeters) spot on my right breast and although the doctor who reviewed it was not concerned and instructed me to schedule another ultrasound in six months merely as a precaution, my own doctor thought it would be prudent to see a breast specialist for a second opinion. Although my doctor assured me that consulting a breast surgeon was merely a precautionary measure due to the density of my breasts, and the likelihood of it being anything serious was very slim, I freaked out.  My best friend died of cancer only a month before. My newsfeeds lately on Facebook are littered with friends mourning the sudden and tragic death of friends who were seemingly healthy only a short time ago. How could I be so confident my friends wouldn’t be posting these things about me? My fourth novel is set to be published on December 2nd and as excited as I am to release this book, I worried I wouldn’t be around by then. What if the cures for cancer, i.e. chemotherapy, resulted in my organs shutting down like what happened to my friend? I knew I was getting WAY ahead of myself and was told as much by others, but I was seriously spooked. This is why I didn’t feel comfortable including “good health” among my blessings.

My mother offered to tag along to my doctor’s appointment as moral support, an offer I eagerly accepted. We discussed having lunch afterward and making a day of it. I also had dinner reservations with some friends that evening and had taken the following day off from work. I tried to look forward to the long Labor Day Weekend and the fun plans I had made, but it was difficult with the weight of my doctor’s appointment on my shoulders. The location of the doctor’s office inside the cancer center at Beth Israel only added to my fear. My mother tried to make conversation while I completed a questionnaire rivaling the eHarmony application in length, but tears were already forming in my eyes and all I could think about was my friend Alan and how much I missed him and hated cancer for taking him from me. I used to say I would follow him anywhere, but I meant in the physical world. As much as I miss him (terribly and constantly), I’m not ready to die. But neither was he. These were my thoughts as I waited alone in the cold examination room.  

After careful review of the ultrasound results and a thorough clinical breast examination, the breast surgeon assured me the tiny spec located on the ultrasound was nothing of concern and sent me home with instructions to simply keep the six month follow-up as originally directed. She further appeased me by saying even a six month appointment instead of the usual year was probably being overly cautious. When I returned to my mother in the waiting room, she knew I was okay by the huge smile of relief on my face. We embraced fiercely once we got outside and I told my mother I could now add “good health” to my blessings. I only wish my dear friend was as lucky. While I continue to mourn him daily—not a single day has gone by when I haven’t cried over his death—I am forever thankful that, at least for now, I can begin to truly appreciate the good things in my life and look forward to what I hope will be a long, healthy and happy one. I know it’s what he would want too.

10 Comments

  1. Patricia Mann on September 2, 2014 at 10:22 am

    So glad to hear that the news was good, Meredith. I know how scary it is when you’re waiting, not knowing. Good health is definitely a blessing we shouldn’t take for granted. Thanks for that reminder. Another one is great books that make life fun. I’m thoroughly enjoying Blogger Girl and must run now to find out what’s going to happen next between Kim and Nicholas!

    • meredithgschorr on September 2, 2014 at 10:27 am

      Thank you, Patricia! And I’m so glad you’re enjoying Blogger Girl 🙂

  2. susieqlaw on September 2, 2014 at 10:25 am

    What a blessing! I am so thankful for the advances in medical technology!

  3. Mary Rowen on September 2, 2014 at 10:31 am

    I read this post half holding my breath, Meredith, and breathed a big sigh of relief at the end. I’ve apparently got “dense” breasts too–sounds so lovely, doesn’t it?–and have had a couple of those questionable mammograms. Once they even had to do some surgery, only to discover that there was nothing to worry about–just that darn dense tissue. In any case, I’m so happy things turned out well for you and that your mom was with you on that stressful day.

    • meredithgschorr on September 4, 2014 at 5:05 pm

      A fellow member of the “dense breasts club” – I’m sorry you have to deal with this as well. At the end of the day, despite the hassle, I’m just grateful to be okay. And I’m glad you were as well. Continued good health 🙂

  4. Melissa A on September 2, 2014 at 10:36 am

    Glad to hear it’s okay!

  5. Hilary on September 4, 2014 at 6:54 am

    I let out a huge sigh of relief… I am so glad that you are ok… And I know how scary it is to wait…. I also have dense breasts (apparently fro the comments we can form a club). I remember the first time they wanted me to come back for an ultrasound moments before I was “worried” about how long I was at the Dr. and how much time I was “missing from work”. I had an instant reset…. It’s crazy how we sometimes overlook and take for granted good health, the most important blessing we have of all….

    • meredithgschorr on September 4, 2014 at 5:06 pm

      I hear you – I used to worry about missing work, and taking too long a lunch and all that stuff too. My boss (my late BFF) always told me to take it easy and do what I had to do – the work would be there when I got back. God rest his soul – he was the best boss in the entire world.

Leave a Comment