Let me tell you about my Valentine.
I was in Geometry class in high school and I heard a very attractive voice behind me. When I turned around to see who the voice belonged to, there he was the boy who I was going to marry. He did not realize that this was the case until a year later. We graduated in 1994, a couple of months later we had our first daughter and married, while still in the hospital a few days after that. Five years later we had our second daughter and our little family was perfectly complete.
It has not always bee easy. Our first born was born at 24 weeks and weighed only 2lb. 1 oz only to lose a pound in her first week. She is the reason I believe in miracles. We both had to grow up fast and made many mistakes along the way, but there is no one in this world that I’d rather go on this journey we call life with. He’s handsome and bright as can be. He’s a wonderful father. He makes me laugh. He encourages my crazy ideas and is my toughest best critic, biggest fan and cheerleader. He is my rock. I still want to be better and impress him daily.
Before you read more, let me say, I will be fine. All will be well. This past year we were tested once again. I had gone to get a mammogram that I though was just routine. I’ll go and they will tell me “Everything is good. See you next year.” Instead, I got a call on my way home saying the doctor wants me to turn around and get an ultrasound because something is showing up on my right side making her a bit concerned, but that it could be nothing. I got nervous about the urgency, but still told myself that everything was going to be fine. No one in either sides of my family have ever had anything like that.. you know the C word. Well only one person, but that has been considered to be one of those random things and not at all genetic.
The doctor recommended that I come back in 6 months. I did and they said “Yup, it’s still there. Come back in six months.” Now I got really scared, but Robert said “everything will be fine, Don’t worry.” Six months later (this past Fall, just before my 48th birthday) I had two more mammograms ’ followed by another ultrasound and eventually a biopsy in January. They found I had stage 0 blah blah blah. I’m still shocked to hear my health being spoken about in stages or that there is a stage 0, but definitely thankful that it was the stage it was found in/at. There were so many tears. The doctor also said that were some questionable areas in my left side, but after testing they determined nothing that was worrisome but they will monitor the area. We are now looking at surgery in mid March followed by less than a week of radiation. Oh, hate that word…. radiation! Yuck. Still, I am glad that it’s there to help.
Although I tend to be very private, even with people I’ve been around on a regular basis, I wanted to share this for a couple reasons. One that I’m so thankful for Robert, for his understating, patience, strength and mostly for his love. He let me be sad, be angry and cry a lot. He just listened and told me we would get through this. I love our story and wanted to share it.
The second reason is because I want you to take care of whatever it is that you’ve been avoiding and putting off. You deserve all the best chances, and time helps with that. Take care of you.
I am thankful for Robert and our amazing girls for our family who always pray for us. I am also thankful for all of you who send such kind words and send prayers my way. I know that you are not aware of all that’s going on, but your words lighten my load and make me smile. I am humbled that you are willing to share your stories with me because I know that they are so meaning to you.
Hugs,
Carolina
PS. I love hearing your stories, but please know that I am not yet ready to listen to stories with sad endings. I hope to be soon, but I am not at this point.
