Wednesday, September 4, 2013

A Letter To Myself -

A year ago tomorrow morning, 9:30am, Dr. Dayton pulled Scott and me into her office and said, "I'm sorry Ronda, it's bad news, you have breast cancer." I covered my face with my hands, cried, shook, cried. I was stunned, in complete shock like never before. She said, "You can do this." Scott said, "We can do this." Dr. Dayton made a quick call, and within minutes I was in the office across from hers talking to the surgeon who would remove a portion of my left breast.

Today, as I've read my first posts, I am sad. I cry. I hurt. I ache for me, for the innocent Ronda who is about to undergo a life-change she cannot comprehend. Cancer is a bitch - and that day, and the days that followed I lost any remaining innocence I may have had. And for that, I'm still in shock - I want to apologize to the 147 lb. 53 year old Ronda, with natural blonde hair, for all that she is going to have to go through - hold her in my arms, hug her, cuddle her, let her know she is loved.

Dear Ronda -
You have cancer. You're going to need medical care to move past this invader. The next few months are going to be tough, I ain't gonna lie. You are going on a journey that will try your limits of physical, spiritual, and emotional endurance. You will turn inward at the same time as turning outward. You are alone, yet the community that surrounds you will become your salvation, your savior, your strength.

Your will lose your innocence (there are some things in life you can avoid, but apparently this isn't), but you will gain wisdom (the type of wisdom gained from going through trauma). The insight and knowledge you gain will keep you from becoming hardened. The experiences you will have will soften you, giving you more empathy and compassion than you ever thought possible.

You will survive this ordeal. You will, I promise. In fact, not only will you survive, but you will thrive. This will take courage and effort, but you already know that - you are one courageous woman, a woman who is not afraid of hard work, of learning. In fact, you have lived your life with a "bring it on" attitude, and this will serve you well.

You will change, life will never be the same, yet most-likely, you will be a better person because of this. Remind yourself of this often. You like change, you thrive on change, see this as an opportunity to evolve. I have faith in you, as do hundreds of others. Don't forget this. Enjoy this journey. Find the joy in this adventure. Find the goodness, the generosity, the gratitude, let this move you forward, not take you back.

And then when you think you've experienced it all, cancer will continue to be a part of your life. Just being finished with treatments will not mean you are healed. Your scars won't be the only constant reminder of your cancer. Your body will be beaten up. You'll be forced to listen to your body as you continue to battle the side-effects of your treatment - broken bones, weakened balance, weight gain, and you thought losing your hair was going to be the only change! Listen. You couldn't hurry your treatment, you cannot rush your healing. Pace yourself (a lesson you really need to learn), and you will heal.

I love you, lady. Turn inward, find the power within, it's there. A life's worth of lessons will be handed to you this year and in the years to come, gather them, hold them gently, they are yours forever.

My love - Ronda 



What She Doesn't Know Sept. 11, 2012


Innocence Lost; First chemo, Oct. 10, 2012


Bye Bye Hair Oct. 23, 2012


 2nd chemo Oct. 30, 2012


Twinning with Tempest Nov. 15, 2012


Too Sick to Stand; Last Day of Chemo Jan. 6, 2013


So Over Cancer Feb. 06, 2013


                                                              Last Radiation April 18, 2013


Cody; My Lifesaver; Last Radiation April 18, 2013


Insult to Injury June 6, 2013



So Very Very Lost July 2013



April 2014 - One Year Post-Treatment








4 comments:

  1. I sure hope you're doing something extra special for yourself today. Even if that means taking it easy, reading a good book, visiting loved ones, taking a stroll in the canyon,etc., whatever suits your fancy. Keep in mind that you are so loved and I'm so grateful to have you as a friend. I'm also so incredibly proud of you for all the obstacles you've managed to overcome this past year. You're my hero and I love you. Always have, always will. <3

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  2. P.S. I'm not am unknown I'm Julie Weaver.

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  3. Ronda,

    That was a beautiful letter and post. It seems cancer enters the circles of people we love (if not our own) over and over. This is an inspiring and humbling account.

    Much love to you.
    xo
    sarah sample

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  4. Ronda,

    I love that you can articulate the experiences that cancer brings on. Keep on writing, talking, and working things out. You will help us all.

    Warmly,
    Bethanie Newby

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