Too many women

I want to get this down before I get too busy again and forget. Today it struck me that the women in my life are dealing with far too many difficult things.

My friend called me today. She has survived cancer 3 times and just came through her 19th procedure (surgical biopsy) just over a week ago. That one came back clean, thank goodness. But today she called me and left a message she knew that I would get, Sh(**, Sh(*&, Sh)*)! A second needle biopsy came back inconclusive, so she is being scheduled for her 20th surgery, another surgical biopsy. Today is the bad day, the day she just gets pissed off about having to do it again. Tomorrow, she'll pick herself up and do what she has to do. She has a husband, children, and friends who love her and need her, so whatever it is, she'll beat it. But she still has to go through all the steps and the fear again, and that is what pisses her off today!

Wednesday, my dear friend, Carole, is flying out to help care for her friend, who is having a single mastectomy on Thursday. My friend will care for her friend's small children while she undergoes surgery that will change her forever. Carole will be there to hold her hand and tell her she can do this, because she has so many who need her.

I spent this afternoon taking a young refugee woman to the doctor. In her short life she has seen more and survived more than most people see in an entire lifetime. Sitting at the pharmacy she told me, "I am ok, I am happy. God has given me family here." In her I see strength and love and possibility, because she now has people who love her and who need her.

The first friend called me today while I was at the pulmonologist office discussing the return of Peeves, the cough. My intention this morning was to tell him to take me off the steroids. My nails are all broken, my skin is a mess, and my face is a big moon. I'm done! He is not. After a long discussion about options, side effects and trying to get my rheumetologist on the phone, he upped the steroids. Just for 2 weeks to see if it makes a difference. At this point, I don't know what will happen after the 2 weeks, but whatever it is, I'll deal. I have too many people who depend on me to wallow in this little set back and too many women in my life who are dealing with far more than this to let a little steroid craziness hold me back.