NEW DIAGNOSIS

I found out today that one of my co-workers was just diagnosed with cancer. She called me into her office and shared her recent news. She said it felt so surreal; like we are talking about someone else. She knew that I would understand as I, too, recently got diagnosed with a new diagnosis; a growing, benign brain tumor.

Diagnoses such as these bring up so many questions. Why and what do you do with it? What is the meaning; the purpose. I know that it does feel surreal and it is shocking. I also know that no one in this life gets a free pass. We all have to deal with something as we travel along our own personal journeys.

The positive side of going through something like this; one feels so much love and support. I truly have an "Angel Village" surrounding me. One truly counts their blessings for all the folks around who care. Our support network is truly what gets us through tough times.

I learned from my new diagnosis that there are no words to be said. Nothing can take away the disease. I know that I only need someone to just be with me. Even knowing and living that, my first impulse was to say someone to ease her pain. It is our human nature to ease the suffering of those you love.

Maybe one day, we will know and understand why things happen and what it is all about. For now, I just know that it is the love and support of our village that helps us through tough times.


NEW DIAGNOSIS

She told me about her diagnosis.
I was shocked and quite surprised.
It brought up so many questions,
but comfort came first to my mind.

I wanted to make her feel better,
although there are no words.
I wanted to take her burden away,
but there is nothing one can do.

She said it felt surreal;
like we are talking about someone else.
I totally got what she was saying,
as I have my own recent diagnosis.

Neither of us want to go down that path,
but we have no other choice.
Avoiding that dark, unfamiliar road,
would make things so much worse.

One gets tired of thinking about it.
One gets tired of telling the story,
but by sharing the diagnosis,
we get the needed support.

I don't know why these things happen;
but what are we to do?
I would like to, one day, understand
the purpose for giving someone
             a new diagnosis.