This is overdue. Almost as soon as we started the process of informing those people who need to know about the diagnosis, we have been flooded with expressions of support, love and care. With all the follow-up tests and the subsequent paperwork, phone calls & such, we have not had much of a chance to even pause and reflect.
But we have been moved. I will not name names for fear of embarrassing someone or forgetting someone.
Thursday morning Dean Hudson (last of the names) expressed support and advised me to let the faculty know soon. I announced the diagnosis first to the journalism faculty and was immediately overwhelmed with expressions of compassion, care and support. This from people who make a living at studied dispassionate observation.
Thursday evening we sent out an e-mail to the remainder of faculty and staff in the college. Friday I finished with the MRI and CT scan in time to make the college barbecue. Most people were upstairs eating and talking by the time I arrived. However, I met one colleague in the hall downstairs as I entered the building. She gave me a hug and shared that she had given my name to “all the girls” in her prayer circle. I was touched.
At the barbecue, more of the same. One woman with experience in these matters insisted that I pass along to Nancy her offer “to be there” at all times. One woman told of a grandparent who had the same condition and survived it just fine. Other colleagues have shared stories and expressed support in person and by e-mail.
We chose not to make a blanket announcement at church, but to tell our closest friends first and then widen the circle over time. Again, the response has been remarkable, with offers of help, prayers and support from every corner. One good sister telephoned her sister who lives in Houston. Within hours we had e-mail offers for transportation, a place to stay, all kinds of support.
In the last few days I have seen more support, more positive, good, compassionate expressions from those around me than I ever expected to see. Praise God.
P.S. This has continued in ways I never dreamed or even considered. There was an envelope stuffed with folding green on my keyboard Friday morning (Sept. 5). There have been continued e-mails from friends and family, including e-mails containing gift certificates on Southwest Airlines. And the week of Sept. 1 I began to actually feel the prayers of others on our behalf. My cup runneth over.
