Stronger Together

Almost 4 years ago, I wrote about my surgeon who I believe saved my life when I was going through my breast cancer battle. With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it seemed appropriate to revisit my previous writing. So let's take a look back...

In December 2017, I met a surgeon who I believe helped save my life. I had just been diagnosed with breast cancer the month before. My original surgeon wanted to do a double mastectomy. We wanted a second opinion. 

In walks Dr. Widerborg. She asked if this surgery was what I really wanted. I said I wanted to be cancer free and needed to live. I was too young. My kids were young. She said ok. And then she said the thing that changed everything for me. She asked, "Can I pray with you?" I immediately said yes and felt so good and comforted with her in my corner. She called on God to guide her and to give me strength. She counseled me with Bible verses and her wisdom. She was a fallen away Catholic but was a practicing Christian. She valued my faith and she led me.

I remember after one visit she was frustrated with me because she didn't think I was living my faith and I wasn't reading the Bible enough. She excused herself from the room. A couple minutes later she came back in and said I ordered a book for you. It's being shipped to your house. Read it before I see you in 3 months. It came 2 days later. She called at the end of the week to see if the book had arrived. She said, "Ok. Now read it." I did. I was going through a transformation from the inside out. Sure the chemotherapy and radiation were killing the cancer cells, but something in me was growing. My ability to recognize what was not working in my life became more and more clear. I had so many people praying for me and my family. 

Each time I went we would pray and talk, and every single time I felt stronger. Not just stronger physically and mentally but spiritually. 

In the fall of 2021, she called me at school to tell me she was retiring. She wanted to let me know that she would continue to pray for me. I mean seriously. I thanked her for being a great surgeon, for being a great advocate for women and their breast health. I thanked her for guiding me in having faith no matter what was happening in my life, and for counseling me in all aspects of my life but especially in my Catholic faith. I told her we would gladly take her back into the Church if she ever felt the pull!! 

Ok, back to the present.

This summer I started working part-time at Wally's in Pontiac. It is awesome. I get to see all sorts of people from many different walks of life. Guess who happened to come to check out in my line last weekend??? Katherine Widerborg. We hugged, we cried. She recognized me immediately, and we picked up where we left off almost 4 years ago. She remembered my kids’ names and asked how they were doing. She was a smiling, loving reminder that despite hard times and horrible events, good can come from the darkness.  

I would love if you would pray for all people who have battled or are currently battling breast cancer or any kind of cancer and for all of the medical personnel involved in that care. God Bless.  

(It was also our Volley for the Cure game last night, and my sweet Trinity had a sign in honor of me. I have included a picture.)