I’ve been through a lot in the past 20 years that only a handful of people know about. I have shed quite a few tears, I have held in fear and anger, I have shut myself off from the rest of the world unable to leave my home. Basically, I have dealt with major issues in unhealthy ways and without the support I so desperately needed.
This past cancer scare opened my eyes to a support system I never knew existed and to one that powerfully uplifted me in ways I have never experienced, ever. Don’t get me wrong, I have some of the most amazing friends that will jump on the next plane to Arkansas if I need them. These friends will and have been by my side through the tough times without judgement or critisim. They are true friends.
I discovered that by opening up and publicly sharing something so deeply personal that a support system that I didn’t even know existed came out of the woodwork. I got text messages, phone calls, tweets, Facebook messages, Skype messages, emails and even flowers from my online community. I went from knowing I had a few close friends to knowing I have an online community of hundreds who were sending me well wishes when I went for my biopsy and prayers for benign results. I even learned of others that had or were currently going through the same thing. Others decided they needed to get their breasts checked out as a result of my openness.
Ted Rubin shared this quote in a comment that was all too perfect:
“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” ~Jane Howard
Knowing what I know now has made the realization all too clear that in order to get through life’s troubling times I should share my experiences with others.
I still get tears when I see that status! I am so thrilled!
And when I first started sharing personal stories I was scared but found that there were others who needed to read what I had to say. I LOVE my online friends and supporters! Again… just wanted to say, “Yay!”
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You should always open up Courtney. You are a beautiful person and we want to share in your life! I was so happy to hear/read that everything turned out like this! I just KNEW it would! I’ve been sending sparkles of course. See you in a week! YAY on both counts. Relax this weekend, you deserve it!
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I experienced this very same thing when Will was in ICU for two weeks in June. I was humbled and in awe…. I still am.
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It is so hard to open up about things so personal such as this. I am/have been going through the same thing for about a year! I went in for a lump in the left side, and they found a lump in the right side!!! I look at that as pure luck. I handled the news well but the reality of what this really meant hit me sitting their in the waiting room in the hospital gown. I’m now on mammo #3 and we’re following the progression/lack of. Thank you for sharing, and yes, you are loved.
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So happy to see your results…what a relief! (I am about to leave for my 2nd mammo here in a few minutes!) Hope to have a few more answers by the time I leave).
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Please let me know how it goes!
What awesome news … I’m celebrating with you!
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I am so happy to see this news, Courtney! You sharing helps yourself and so many others…so glad you did!
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I just let out a huge sigh of relief for you. So happy for your good news, and it makes me remember to “feel myself up” more often.
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Best wishes!Your blog is very good!