Come They Told Me - Pa Rum Pa Pa Pum

The amazing week has begun. Throughout the world, many look for the miracle this week. Sometimes, they are right in front of you. There are times when events take place that no one can explain. This weekend, I had an experience which was much more than a coincidence, but a true task given to me.

Last Thursday, I had left a message with my cell phone number with a lady living about an hour away. I know her from on line and have never met her before. We both met, in person, at a Starbucks coffee shop just in between both of our homes, this past Saturday afternoon. We stood outside in the drizzle, making small talk. I liked this lady, and could see something in her eyes. She seemed in need of a little companionship. I asked if I could buy her a cup of coffee, and her eyes lit up. Another caffeine addict! I liked her even more then. The only other chore on my long list of things to do, was to stop by the grocery store. Everything else was pretty quiet at home and I felt I had some time to spare.

This being the Saturday before Christmas in a busy shopping area, the coffee house was filled and there was a long line. We continued our small chat about Christmas, her cat rescue endeavors and her sickly father. I saw the scar on her neck and asked. Yes, she was a thyroid cancer survivor. When I showed her mine, her eyes welled up, and after a big gulp, she fought back her tears.

I was off my normal path, in an area I do not normally wander. I was with a stranger, met under very unusual circumstances. After four telephone calls and messages, we had finally met and I could not explain to anyone why I was pushed to go to her. I had an unknowing connection to this woman I have known for all of five minutes. Her expression told me instantly why God had guided me to her.

We got our cappuccinos and found a table in the back. He voice was soft and quiet, and her brown eyes looked back at me in amazement. We spoke, and we shared our stories. She also told me of a few other health issues she is having. She is not quite at two years of her diagnosis, and she was scared. Like me, she quit a job she was very successful in, because of extreme burn out. I told her I knew of quite a few survivors who did this, because of the ultimate side effects of no longer having a thyroid. She did not understand, at first. I explained for me it was the aches, tiredness and unexplained lack of initiative, until I learned to have my body regulated by doctors and the meds. Getting the right dose is imperative for continuing your life, but it could take awhile at the beginning to adjust to the correct dose. My life couldn't wait during this time of bouncing back, and the business world continued to spin at its normal rapid speed. I gave it up to get the rest my body desperately needed, and to take care of my health.

I reassured her on so many confusing questions she had about symptoms. I directed her to ThyCa, the only web site that would surely help her. She was going to skip her two year check in February because of lack of insurance. She did not want to go through the RAI treatment again. She really didn't fully understand the procedure and didn't feel like going through it all. She told me she was glad she wasn't alone and there are other people out there surviving and continuing normal lives. (NOTE: Apparently, I AM "normal" to certain people.) Before leaving, she said I convinced her to make the appointment to be checked. After three long hours of talking and laughing together, we exchanged personal numbers and email addresses, promising to keep each other apprised on our treatments.

I remembered when my diagnosis came down, and how a friend's sister in Seattle helped me via email and a lengthy telephone call. I recall the calming effect she had on my worries of surgery, RAI treatments, hospitals and cancer. Knowing I wasn't the only one in the world with the same fears, she gave me the confidence to begin the fight and take care of myself. At that time, she was a five year survivor and her story gave me hope for my own future. One day, I hope to thank her in person.

Tomorrow, I will make my appointment at the hospital's cancer center for another treatment. With the promise of a two year reprieve, I can not wait to get this one over with. My treatments were delayed for four years because of doctors not having current information on the disease. When I educated myself of what I needed to do, I looked for better health care, not really knowing I was going to end up with the best doctors in Atlanta. The two week diet for the treatment begins the day after Christmas, and we both laughed when I promised my new friend I would eat anything and everything on Christmas. She has also promised to check on me in January, when I begin the treatment. : )

After the meeting, I began to think how God has guided me. I still can not believe this happened. Originally, I did not want to go, in the rain, in a shopping area congested with Christmas shoppers, on a Saturday afternoon, for the first reason of something that seemed so insignificant. However, once in my car, it wasn't forced in my heart or my mind. I gladly went, thinking I was just going to meet another nice person along the way in my life. I blasted the iPod loudly, on the way, and didn't mind the hurried people and traffic. I recall being excited about a frothy triple shot cappuccino. I loved going somewhere without having the panic about Christmas and the list of things left to do. God gave me peace and calm, and the Spirit to share my story, and listen to another's worries.

Just like Christmas, sometimes we are on the giving end, and sometimes on the receiving end. I would like to keep my mind opened to be gracious for either one. We are not alone in this world, going through the same challenges and issues, but God is with us too, guiding us. With everything rolling around in my head lately, I'm glad He got through to me. I would love to think I was quiet enough to hear God speaking to me. The people who know me personally know He was probably yelling and screaming loudly through my noise, just to get my attention. (hee hee)

Believe what you want, but tonight at Mass, I had a peacefulness that wrapped me tight. I heard, felt and experienced Him this weekend, and now I'm on the lookout for more. I am here and I am ready for anything right now, and more willing to listen for the next quiet little goad.

This is going to be an amazing week!