Sharon Laing

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So, I've lived a pretty normal life.  I've never really had any problems with my physical health.  In late October, 2015, I was scratching my chest and I felt something weird.  "I must have bumped something," I thought.  Well, then after awhile I realized it was still there.  At Thanksgiving, I had Susan feel it to see if she thought it was weird.  She said that it indeed was not normal and to get it checked out.  I still thought it was nothing so decided if it was still there in a month then maybe I would go to the doctor.  Then the holidays happened.  Then there were final exams.  ...and it was still there.  Ugh.  I was so annoyed that I would have to go in and get this "cyst" drained - that's what I kept telling myself this must be.  "There's no way I could have breast cancer or something," I believed.  

Finally, I went for a mammogram on Thursday 2/4/16 (which I commented was a fun day as 2^4=16...I'm such a nerd).  Anyway, right away, they wanted to do a different type of mammogram.  Then, they wanted to do an ultrasound.  I'm like, "Well this isn't good."  Then after the ultrasound, a radiologist...who went to school with my sister...came in and told me she wanted to do a biopsy.  Right away I had a feeling of fear yet comfort.  I knew something was up, but God was telling me that He would hold me in the palm of his hand the whole way.  I would not let them do the biopsy right away because I wouldn't be able to move my arm vigorously for a few days and I had a Dearborn Symphony Concert to play!  (#stubborn)  So I went back Monday 2/8/16 for my biopsy.  They told me it would be 3-5 days for the results.  2 days later, on 2/10/16, my doctor called me and asked me to come in.  I'm not an idiot...I knew what that meant.  I asked her just to tell me over the phone.  Although she didn't want to because of the sensitive nature of her message, I insisted that she did...and she informed me that they found carcinoma...cancer.  My world stopped.

But I have to pick myself up and keep going.  It's exhausting, but it's what I have to do.

This is my journey through all of this.  The journey of a single 39 year old woman who is still searching for that soulmate (...and who is going to want to deal with all this crap?!?).  The journey of a high school math teacher of 17 years who hates missing school because it messes up her calendar and who lives her life for her "kids" at school.  The journey of a tutor who loves helping kids that struggle but also needs the extra money to help pay off school debt.  The journey of a girl who loves to play the violin and wants to continue making music.  The journey of a chic that loves to sing on stage, be the center of attention, and rock out sometimes.  The journey of a child of God who goes to Church every Sunday, sings in her choir, is called the "angel" cantor/soloist, teaches Catechism, helps out at Bible School, volunteers at the Food Outreach Program, and serves on the Discipleship Commission.  The journey of a girl with an incredible support system of the best family, friends, and acquaintances anyone could wish for.  Here's hoping I can continue to be blessed with the best possible outcome from all this...