fuck cancer in its fucking face

when i was 18, my mom was diagnosed with cancer. when i was 20, she died.

three years ago, my friend melissa's husband died of cancer, leaving two young kids behind.

last year, my friend elysia's sister died of cancer. last year, my friend bill's mom was diagnosed with cancer (she is still fighting the good fight).

this year, my friend kiki's mom was diagnosed with cancer. and my friend claire's dad was. and a few days ago, as i'm sure all of you in the DOC know already, meri's husband ryan, from ourdiabeticlife, was diagnosed with metastasized melanoma.

if you're reading this, i either know you from the DOC, or you care enough about me to check this blog. if you're in the former category, you already know meri. but if you're in the latter, please read on.

when L was diagnosed with diabetes, i was at a bit of a loss. luckily i found the diabetes online community, which is filled with people with diabetes and parents of children with diabetes, all sharing their experiences, including both successes and failures. i actually read a beautiful analogy today that i think describes the DOC perfectly. it was written by babs in a comment on strangely scott's blog:

I have this picture in my mind of this wide dirt road, where each of us is walking, toward the same goal. Some are walking ahead of me, some behind. Some are running, others are taking their time. I see you further up the road than me, looking back and waving, "hey, try this side of the road, it's less bumpy up here!" I don't know what my health would be like today without your guidance.

Likewise, I've also learned from you, it's my responsibility to inform those behind me of the current road conditions along my path. Things change. It rains and mud and potholes arise.

We're all in this together and if we keep each other looking for the strong footing, we'll make it to the end.

that's fucking beautiful, right? and it's so true! there are so many blogs i look to for guidance because the moms and dads have been and still are going through what i am on any given day. meri's blog was one i gravitated to from the very beginning. in the early days, we watched a video of her husband ryan refilling a pump in under a minute or some shit and we couldn't ever imagine being so proficient at it. but we are now. (well, at least one of us is.) i've often emailed meri with specific concerns i have about my gonna-be-a-teenager-with-diabetes-before-i-know-it, and she has always given me support and helpful advice.

basically, it comes down to this. every blogger i follow, whether it's parents of kids with diabetes, or adults with diabetes, every single one of them has made my family's journey with diabetes easier. and if you're reading this, you've done the same (even if you don't have a connection to the diabetski besides L) just by listening and offering your support.

and because meri and her family have lightened my load along the way, i am asking you to do something for them, even though you don't know them. please join me in sending them love and light. the family has especially set aside this sunday march 4 as a day of fasting and praying for a miracle, and they have asked everyone they know to join them, if that's your kind of thing. and even if it's not, if you could just spare some positive energy and send it their way, it would be much appreciated. by them, and me. and while we're at it, let's hold all those other people i mentioned above in our thoughts. and anyone else you've ever known that's been touched by motherfucking cancer. thanks. <3