Sometimes God puts you where you need to be

College Confidential Community
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I’m a morning person, and was online early this morning. I considered getting my act in gear and getting to 7:30 am mass, so I could get a head start on the billions of chores awaiting my attention today. But I was enjoying my time here on CC and decided to wait to go to 9 am mass instead.

If I’m to be completely honest, I was less than 100% present at mass. My mind was on those chores, on what to get for Father’s Day and my son’s birthday next week and a bunch of other things. I’m not sure how accurately I could repeat the sermon.

But on the way out, I ran into one of the secretaries who retired from my husband’s school 2 or 3 years ago. She asked if we could chat in private.I don’t know her well-- I had to ask him her name after our chat. But once we got outside, where we could have a little privacy, I asked what was up. She said “I have breast cancer” and her eyes filled with tears.

Nine years ago I had a Phyllodes tumor, a mastectomy and radiation. Everyone at my husband’s school knew the reason he was out, and she said I was the only one she knew who had traveled the path she was about to embark on. She was scared to death.

I’m not sure how much comfort I was, but I tried. I think the fact that I was there-- living and living a normal life-- probably did more than anything I actually said. I told her that she needed to plan a big vacation for next summer. I know how incredibly silly that sounds. But it made a world of difference to me when I got sick. We had made plans to take the kids for their first trip to Disney World. On some level, knowing that we had those reservations reminded me that there would be an “after”… after all, I had the reservations to prove it. In the dark hours of the night, when I couldn’t sleep, that trip was a lifesaver/

I told her NOT to research breast cancer online. She would find a billion symptoms and scenarios that would scare her to death, but not match what was happening to her body.

I told her to bring an extra pair of ears every time she went to the doctor. Somehow, once a conversation includes the words “Cancer” and “biopsy”, it’s hard to remember much else.

And I told her that I would be happy to be those ears any time she needed them. We have 7 more days of school, and even those are half days starting Tuesday. So I have 2 solid months where anything on my calendar can be rearranged.

I was incredibly lucky in 2008. It’s time to pay it forward. And I’m incredibly grateful that I attended 9 am mass this morning.

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Wow, so cool! I’ve had similar conversations with people who have kids newly diagnosed with mental illness. It’s such a scary thing to be thrown into a world you don’t know anything about. I’m glad you can be there for her. :slight_smile:

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You’re a good egg, @bjkmom

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Nice post @bjkmom!

D18 had a serious medical problem that required major surgery as a younger child. It was a very long, awful, painful recovery. Thankfully it turned out well so I can look back on that experience with gratitude.

That experience completely changed my way of thinking and relating to people. It allowed me to understand the suffering of others so much better. It also prepared me to help others by the amazing example of kindness and generosity given by my friends. (We had meals provided for six weeks and many other gifts and thoughtful gestures.)

I have no doubt God worked through that situation so I could be there for others when they go through tough times.

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I ran into her again today after 9 am mass. Her news was good. She still needs a lumpectomy-- I think she actually said 2. But all results at this point seem to indicate that they found it in time.

And they may have found something near her heart-- more tests there. But, again, not horrible news: she had a CT scan done on her chest in February. So if it is a cause for concern, they know it’s only been there for a few months.

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Thanks for the update.



I hope the thing near her heart is nothing to worry about.

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This is a terrific and encouraging post. Thanks for sharing. I feel that God loves your sweet heart for caring for others as a result of your own suffering. God works good in all things for those called according to His purposes. :slight_smile: