Faith, Hope, Courage and a whole lot of Pink.

     
       I found out on the 12th that my sweet Aunt Tamee was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She has a rare form called Paget disease and was diagnosed on the 7th of October.
My mom was wise to tell me when she did, I don't know if she intentionally told me on the day of my mother-in-laws wedding or if it was a coincidence but I'm glad I found out when I couldn't dwell on it as much.
      My Aunt Tamee is so close to my heart...all my mothers sisters are, they are all so amazing and we're all so tightly knit together. I know if I were to have found out on a slow day I'd be in tears the entire day and completely and utterly useless. Instead, I pulled Chad aside from the craziness of the wedding day, we shared a few tears together, a prayer of hope and continued helping with the wedding. All day she was on my mind.

What do I say?
I know I'll just call her and cry, that won't be supportive or helpful at all.
Do I have the right to be sad? I'm not a sister or a mother? I'm just a niece. Is it selfish for me to be upset?
What stage is it at, i need details!
How do I get to Virginia to help? How DO I help?

I was so confused. I prayed a lot that crazy weekend. I prayed to know what to say and how to lift someone elses burdens, whether it be Tamee's or anothers, as I know Cancer infects more than the host, it's a family affair.

 All I knew is that I had no words. I wanted to have words to say but all I knew was that I loved her and wanted her to have hope...but I also knew I couldn't say those words to her without bawling like a baby.

SO I did what I normally do when I can't find the words, I read the words of prophets and apostles. they always say just the right thing. I immediately thought of the message shared at the Relief Society broadcast and how important it is for us to lift another burdens. I went back and reviewed my notes and decided that I needed to start small. I need to lift someones small burden. I talked to others about it and was a listening ear. I researched Breast Cancer runs in the near future and talked with my mom about possible family runs we could do to raise money on her behalf. I wasn't talking to her yet but I was lifting burdens as I could ( or at least trying to)
     

     Service is theraputic (My dad taught me that from a very young age as he encouraged me to voulenteer and sing at funerals, baptisms and other events. He took me to people houses in the ward when they needed a visit and taght me that putting yourself last and someone elses needs first will always build you up too.
   Weeks like this week, I'm eternally grateful to him for those lessons.

      Tamee started a blog to keep the family and friends updated on her journey. As I read her post I knew I was not left without words because I'm heartless and don't have anything to say, but rather because the Lord knew that Tamee didn't want phone calls with "I'm so sorrys" and sympathy chats, he knew I needed to channel my love and support for her somewhere else.
     As I read her post entitled "I am so much a Martha", I was immediately reminded of an ensign article from the September issue. The article "Christ-like Mercy" said something in it that I won't soon forget. "Jesus Christ demonstrated an infinite capacity for mercy. He “could not look into men’s faces without being pained by their confusion, their perplexity, and their misery. … His heart was moved with compassion on them.”
I remembered this and thought, The Lord even understands our confusion, he knows our future, our divine plan but still mercifully understands our confusion for our trials and hardships and even feels that pain. As I read Tamees post, I know that the Lord is with her even through her (and our) confusion. He feels that pain that comes from a lack of understanding and sympathizes through His mercy. WE feel mercy most commonly when 'we become aware of the unusual and distressing circumstances of others'. Christ is already aware of us and practices his mercy and love always. I'm grateful to have the knowledge of that when "Why me?" makes the most sense sometimes.It's not wrong to ask "why me" when our intent is pure and I know the Father wants his children to grow closer to him though asking for eternal knowledge and truths. Tamee is a strong daughter of our Heavenly Father and as she asks, she shall receive.
I'm so strengthened by her posts and her optimism. She will move mountains through this trial and I'm grateful to be a witness and support to her.
    
If you ever need a renewed perspective on what's most important in life, follow her blog at www.tameesjourney.blogspot.com . She's funny and optimistic, each post will brighten your day and give you something to pray for.

Tamee is in stage two, which is optimistic. She will however need chemotherapy (which she will start on the 24th) and a mastectomy. She's got a long road ahead but she doesn't travel alone.
None of us do.

Any readers with insight to Paget disease, breast cancer, chemotherapy etc., this girl wants more info, help me learn how to best support my amazing Aunt.

 In the mean time, lets get our Pink on and donate to Breast cancer! We're a little too late for the next breast Cancer run in Phoenix but as soon as I get a team together, we're doing it!