Along the path towards surgery, there were many decisions that changed my life for the better, but none more so than learning to let people help me.
Thinking back now, I don’t know how I would have pulled myself and my family through it all without such incredible support.
A couple of months before my surgeries, my friends and family came together, and arranged to assure that our lives would keep moving normally, as much as possible. They knew that, especially given my personal experience in my childhood, I felt very strongly about my children’s lives not revolving around my surgeries. I wanted them to feel comfortable in their own house, and not left out; at the same time it was imperative that they be able to attend their normal activities.
My support network sent out a mass email to friends and family in the community, and put together a schedule that still astounds me today.
I had meals delivered everyday, my children taken to all of their sports activities and extra curricular activities, my pets were even taken care of and walked. The variety of ways that friends contributed goes on and on.
About a week before me surgery, one of my closest friends flew in from Vermont, and my brother flew in from China.
That time with my friends and family was integral in being prepared for surgery. I had spent so much time being nervous, and keeping my self busy trying to ready my house, my children, my job, my body and my thoughts, and now I was finally ready to slow down.
I had to let go, and I was able to do it.
As the day of my prophylactic mastectomy approached, somehow all of the chaos had become peace, and I knew that as I stepped away from my normal life for a while, my loved ones would be there to support my children.
Not a day goes by that I don’t feel grateful and incredibly lucky for all of them.