Another Kind of Journey

Last week, I sat at the breast care center, waiting for my pre-op appointment.  The waiting room was not inviting, except for the free coffee and cookies.  In the anticipation of surgery, I had a hard time keeping focus on something else, more pleasant.  I decided to get out my sketchbook and draw.  It soothes me.  I don't have breast cancer, but my surgery is to remove a leaky duct in one breast.  They say that 5% of these cases could lead to cancer.  So here I am, trying to surround myself with beauty in my mind.

I sat waiting by myself.  There were many women in the room waiting also.  It was frightening in itself.  Nothing great on the walls to help you with your struggles of why we were all there. I felt so isolated.  I texted my friend, Leslie, who always finds the right words to say, in times like these.  She suggested that I get out my sketchbook and reflect on my vacation sketches, or draw.  Good idea.

I kept thinking about this huge blank wall in the waiting room, wondering why it doesn't have any art on it. (I may have to change that).  I started drawing women, the brave women who sat with me, all waiting for their beeper to go off or not, waiting with their friends for their chemo treatment, women who looked scared out of their minds.  Probably how I looked the first time I came here.

I opened up myself to my community on Facebook, asking for positive thoughts and prayers for my surgery.  Friends and family were amazing, with their words of encouragement, love and kindness.  If you follow me on Facebook, thank you!  Friends really do sing your song, when you forget the words!

Update - my biopsy came back benign! Thank you, Lord!

This news just makes the celebration that much sweeter!