The News

I awakened to another push on my shoulder. 
“Wake up,” she said softly.
I tried to open my stubborn eyes.  “What’s wrong?” I quizzed, sliding out of bed.  I had often tried to help with our new infant son.  I thought this was the reason she had awakened me.  I rushed to dress.
“Jene, I think I have a lump,” she said flatly.
For the life of me, I couldn’t comprehend what she was saying, or why she should wake me. 
“You can have my side of the bed,” I muttered, and was trying to get back in.
“No, I think I have a lump in my breast,” she sounded quite concerned.
I was suddenly awake.  I could tell by her voice that this was something that must have bothered her for more than just that night.  My mind filled with a little bit of fear, but then I easily shrugged it off.  It had only been a month since she was pregnant with our son and she had often had emotional fears during that time.  I thought this might have been left over hormones.
“I think there’s something wrong.”  Her voice told me that we were not going to sleep for a while. 
Then she took hold of a couple of my fingers and guided then to the place.  At first I felt nothing out of the ordinary.  Then it was very evident.  There was a lump less than half an inch from the nipple.  I told myself it was nothing.  It had to be nothing.  Things like that do not happen to people I know.  It certainly doesn’t happen to my wife.  It couldn’t happen.
“The lump has been there for probably a year,” she said.  “I was hoping that it was because I was pregnant.  It hurts to nurse.  I think it’s...serious.”
“Let’s make an appointment with the doctor and make certain that everything is okay then,” I suggested in order to keep from thinking about it anymore.
LeAnne had always been into doing things using natural means.  More often than not, we were doing things that I didn’t understand, or believe would help.  But somehow they would, and I would be convinced that there had never been anything wrong in the first place.  I assumed that she would seek out a natural remedy.  Normally, I would be the one between the two of us who would run to the doctor.
“I’ve already made an appointment with the doctor.  I’ve got an appointment with him in the morning.  I’m scheduled first thing at 9:00 o clock.  I want you to come with me.”  By her tone, I knew that she was letting me know that I was going with her.  Also, I realized that she was convinced that the worst had happened.

That was how it began for me.  I couldn’t have known that we were about to embark upon an 11-year journey of constant upheaval which would change everything about my life and even who I am.  I was young and stupid in those days.  Perhaps if I had realized exactly how important that moment had been, I would have also realized just how precious each moment would be with my family.  Life is so very fleeting.  Make the most of the moments you have.

Until my next thought
Jene