My heart is heavy today. A friend is in her final stages of breast cancer. Fran was originally diagnosed 4 1/2 years ago and after treatment, including a double mastectomy and chemo, was living life cancer free, or so we thought. She was excitedly anticipating her 5 year anniversary in November. Then 3 months ago, she began not feeling well and found a lump. By the time she realized there was a problem, the cancer had metastasized to her liver and spine. She has not responded to treatment this time and now Hospice has been called in to provide pain relief until she leaves this earth to be with her heavenly Father.
I don’t pretend to understand why Fran has to die. Why her little girl will be left motherless. To be quite honest, it angers me. It angers me just like it angered me when Kela died…..and Sondra……and Sarah….other friends who lost the battle to cancer in the prime of their lives, and left behind young children and grieving husbands.
What I do understand is that God, in his loving mercy, saw fit to bring these amazing women into my life. The reason I grieve is because they touched my heart.
So for today, I’ll be a bit angry and tearful. But because I know who holds my future….and theirs, tomorrow, I will rejoice.
Prayers for Fran’s comfort…and for Ed and Emma as they walk this road, are greatly appreciated.