In October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness I will post a daily blog with a reflection about breast cancer. The reflections will stem from something in the play. (All quoted lines are text from the play.)
Day 19: I am not in charge. Perhaps the hardest lesson for me. “Despite my desperate urge to find someone or anyone to fix everything now, I know it is not my decision.” Is a line in the show where I become Aware of my real role in my wife’s breast cancer process. “My job is not to be the director. My job is to be the supporter.” The truth is I really, really wanted to tell her what to do. I am by nature the guy in charge. I hate uncertainty and am by nature nervous and tense about the unknown. I always have a plan-b and often a plan-c. So it was hard for me, and yet I found that place. I understood that I should not and could not run over Susan with my brash determination to fix everything NOW. First it wasn’t going to happen. Second, I understood that there was a spiritual wholeness required of me at this time. “I am the other half of that which makes Susan and me complete. When else in our loves is it more important to be whole than when OUR body is badly broken.” So it was Susan’s choices of medical professionals and treatment options.
Stat of the Day: The States with the highest rates of Breast Cancer: Alaska, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Washington per the CDC.
Task of the Day: Explore an approach to mindfulness or relaxation in your community, especially if it takes you out of your comfort zone. You can’t really ever practice for getting sick or someone you love getting sick, but you can train yourself to be calm and centered in the middle of the storm.
Resource of the Day: A very useful list of retreat centers that feature mind-body programs designed for people dealing with cancer.