You always read what Cancer can’t do; that is an excellent inspirational thing to focus on when you are in the depths of the disease with yourself or a family member. By now, you know me, though; I’m a realist so let’s talk about “What Cancer Can Do.”

First of all, it’s a thief. It robs you and your family of so much. Besides the most obvious, the biggest is when you think you have more forever. Physically, you go from a beautiful, healthy-looking person to a thin, frail shell of yourself in what seems to be overnight but often has been living in your body for an extended time.

It can take and does take your vanity and self-worth. Cancer can take a proud, self-sufficient person to a place of depending on someone for their basic needs. Wendy was one of those people. I saw her smile and joke with the Nurses as they cleaned her and attended to the bed sores she had acquired because she could only be on her left side. Her left ear had one of those sores, too, but Wendy was in denial. When the Nurses left the room, and it was her and me, she would cry, speaking of how embarrassed she was.

Cancer can and will break your spirit as much as it does your body.

My opinion might not be popular; I’m okay with that, though. I believe so many people are walking around with such deep and traumatic wounds that we end up creating Cancer in our bodies as a way of eating out the bad stuff. It’s overwhelming to me as I connect to so many people that are hurting, that are suffering, and that hate themselves over things they had no control over. Yes, I’m one of those people. It’s so easy for me to say that about others and totally can’t see it for myself, or maybe I do.

I want to hug them all and say it’s okay. I want to listen to everyone’s stories, but I’m afraid to tell my own.

Cancer can do this, plus so much more. Sadly, because I don’t think people get it as to the real reason Cancer exists, I don’t think we will ever raise enough money to find the cure. Our local “Relay For Life” has raised over 4.5 Million dollars over the years, not to mention all the other States that have also raised Millions of dollars to find a cure. Until People are willing to dig deep into their deep emotional hurt, Cancer will continue to eat away at our bodies and, in my opinion, will never be recognized as the problem. Putting ourselves out there and doing the work is hard; going through Cancer is more challenging, though, I promise.

I have some harrowing and not-so-flattering pictures of Wendy at the end that I have kept to myself. Wendy always valued being her best self. She had her lipstick and makeup perfectly placed daily. Hair is always perfect—most of the time, a new outfit to wear. I don’t think Wendy would have wanted me to share any of those photos while she was living. Now that she is gone, I think she would like me to share if she thought it might help someone else to pay attention to their bodies and, most importantly, to do the deep diving work it takes to heal not only your body but more importantly, your Heart and Soul. I, for one, know what Cancer can do. Yes, I know what it cannot do too.

What are your stories? Will you share them?

I include one of those pictures. Don’t let this be you.

Love and Light,

Ginger

My Nephew Brad with Wendy is nearing the End… 💔

My Beautiful Sister before Cancer.