A scroll at the bottom of the TV screen caught my eyes yesterday.  Golf great Phil Mickelson's mom is having surgery for breast cancer this week.  This, just 6 weeks after Phil announced that his wife was having surgery for the same thing.  WOW!  Imagine what that family is going through!!  In reading more about it, I was touched by something Phil's sister said -- the family wanted to go public with their mother's news so that she could benefit from the outpouring of love and prayers that had so helped Phil's wife when she went public. 

I've always been a private person.  I went on the air with my news because I wanted anyone who listens that cares about me to hear it from my lips, AND because I hoped it might persuade even one person to get screened for cancer.  I thank God for my early detection.  I never expected what happened next.  The incredible outpouring of prayers, encouragement, and affection came from every angle of my life.  My busy family snapped to attention, friends have become my dearest friends, and people I hardly knew (or didn't know at all) have become my angels.  A new friend in town I hardly ever see, Susan C., has taken to sending me a funny card every week.  Debbie C. e-mails regularly to check in.  Dave, Bruce and Paul spent a pouring-down-rainy Saturday cleaning out my garage so I could put my new car in it instead of having to leave it out under the sappy trees.  Cyndy made me a couple of yummy casseroles.  Mom sits with me for 4+ hours every third Friday during my chemo.  Larry and Greg brought dinner and margaritas and played Wii with me.  Kara keeps leaving me messages on my cell and facebook just to let me know she's thinking of me.  Brothers and sisters-in-law have flown in with nieces, and my nephew's wife's mom knitted me a beautiful cap for my bald head.  And all that's just the tip of the iceberg.  I don't even know how to begin to say what my radio listeners have done for me.  I've received a box of fun reading material, a cuddly, funny, Cabbage Patch Baby, and beautiful hand-made jewelry.  Most precious of all have been the prayers, well-wishes, encouragement, and advice from e-mails, phone messages, and letters.  I have been touched beyond words by people I don't even know sharing similar experiences, and that's the reason for this blog -- to further share that with you.  I tell you all of this so that you'll know how much even the smallest gesture means to someone who's fighting for their life.  I can't imagine how dark my days would have been the past several months without all the support I've gotten.  I've had people I know well say to me they didn't want to bother me or intrude -- don't be afraid to reach out to someone you know who's going through a hardship or tragedy.  For a number of reasons they may not be able to respond but, I can assure you, they'll never forget that you were there for them.  And the inspiration they get from you, at the exact moment you give it, might be what saves them that day.