A Birthday Surprise
I think it’s normal to idealize birthdays.
They’re the one day each year that’s really about you. They’re supposed to be fun, filled with joy and laughter. And of course cake.
Today, on my birthday, I found out that my grandfather has cancer.
It would’ve been tough news on any day. But getting hit with it today was a special challenge.
Part of what made it so tough was because it took away the carefreeness of the day. It’s hard to be freely happy when you hear something sad, it’s hard to try to be positive with news like that.
But it’s also tough because I don’t know what things will be like on this day next year. I don’t know what will happen, frankly there are many more unknowns than knowns right now. But I know that I will not forget that on this day, my birthday, my grandfather was told that he has cancer. Again.
My grandpa is a fighter, but he’s also aging, and more quickly than I care to acknowledge. He’s battled and beat cancer once, but that was years ago. That was before he was diagnosed with diabetes, before we found out that his heart isn’t in great condition. Before he lost his wife to cancer.
I’m scared and I’m sad. For him. For my family. For myself.
And I’m hoping that the love that I felt from my friends on this day will be what helps carry my grandpa and my family, through the weeks and months to come. And I hope that next year my birthday will be but a distant memory of bad news. That it will be a reminder of what faith and modern medicine can accomplish.
That it will be an anniversary not of bad news, but of the beginning of the defeat of cancer.
The beginning of a victory.
14 Responses to “A Birthday Surprise”
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Welcome! I'm Katie, a 28 year old, full-time graduate student who just happened to have brain surgery in November of 2007 to give my ginormous brain a little more space. This blog chronicles my daily life, from relentless headaches to being a doctor's wife. Sit down, get comfortable and stay for a while.
I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with you and your family.
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My Grandad was my hero, my heart is breaking for you. I will think of him every day. go Gramps !
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Oh Katie, Mortality is the greatest tragedy.
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ack.
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Katie Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 5:43 am
Don’t ack me. I’d have been more upset if you hadn’t told me.
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I’m so sorry this had to happen on your birthday. Sending positive thoughts and hoping for the best.
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So sorry to hear this! Thinking of you and your grandfather.
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Oh, hon. I know how awful it is to hear bad news on your birthday. I’m thinking of your grandpa and the rest of your family. May the miracle that is modern medicine kick cancer’s ass.
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I’m so sorry Katie. My thoughts are with you, your grandfather and your family.
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I’m so sorry hon. My grandfather was diagnosed with stage four cancer in November and he’s doing pretty well. He’s a fighter, too. If you need to talk, shoot me an email. I know how hard it is. *hugs*
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mrrrr. ;(
*HUGS*
Sad news on birthday is sad.
May you have a year of hope, and a Gramps who triumphs.
xoxo
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Katie, Oh my, what horrible news to get ANY day but on your birthday is just heartbreaking. My son Dan, who is only 22 had a few birthdays like yours. One year I crashed and had to go to the ER. Another time the house next door caught on fire. The very next year our across the street neighbor died after a asthma attack. Why would these bad things happen on such a special important day? Maybe there is a reason but it makes no sense for you today. I am so sorry and sad for you.
Hopefully you will find some joy today. After all it is your birthday. Happy Birthday Katie.
xoxoxoxomo
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I hope today is the start of a year filled with triumphs, laughter, love, and the realization of many a dream!
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This could just be the year that jumpstarts the miracles in your life. Maybe next year on this date we will be celebrating one year of freedom from headaches. Maybe we will be celebrating a diagnosis of complete remission for your grandfather.
Bad things can happen on any day. And so can good ones.
I’m believing for the good.
Happy Birthday, Precious.
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