I'm not one of those beyond-well-endowed-in-the-chest-department people, but my heart sincerely goes out to those with bosoms so ginormo their backs hurt. Therefore, at the start of June, when my critique partner and bosom buddy in the Anne-Shirley-meets-Skype-and-g-chat way, Kearsie Murphy (who has been beyond well endowed since her teen years), was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and qualified for a breast reduction, I jumped up and down and burned underwire bras in her honor.
Everything was grand. Kearsie had her reduction surgery and I went on vacation, had a splendid time with my family... and came home to an email saying: WHERE ARE YOU DID YOU HEAR MY NEWS!?
Then I heard her news.
This wasn't good news, folks. This was stomach-dropping-but-not-in-an-awesome-"I've-just-been-on-a-thrilling-roller-coaster-ride" way.
This was news in the "I-just-had-my-reduction-and-now-I'm-my-dream-cup-size-Oh-and-also-I-have-breast-cancer-and-will-be-having-a-double-mastectomy-ASAP" way.
Here's where the ground fell from under my feet. I've never had a friend with breast cancer. I've sported pink ribbons and cheered on those marching for breast cancer... but I've never had a friend with breast cancer. That makes this disease so much more real, somehow.
The good news is this - Kearsie had her double mastectomy and is now breast cancer-free. And to be on the safe side, in the event the cancer spread from her breasts before they were removed, Kearsie will begin chemo shortly.
Kearsie is a ridiculously brave, super crafty 35-year-old book lover with two adorable daughters. To help the Murphy family through this time, the all-around-awesome Winn has magically created bookmarks for her Etsy shop Vintage Umbrella. Proceeds from these bookmarks will go to aid Kearsie's family during her breast cancer battle.
I bought one. She is currently staring at me from between the pages of Pride and Prejudice.
This bookmark and I have a lot in common. We both share a love for buckled shoes. We both love regency romances. And we both have a mustache. (Seriously, remember those Our Changing Bodies classes we had to go through back in 6th grade? Why don't they have those for grown ups? Because I would have loved to have known that age twenty-nine was the year of Our Growing Mustache before it happened. What. The. Heck?)
I love my mustached bookmark.
Kearsie has been blogging her journey since she was first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis {HERE} if you'd like to take a peek into her life and say hi.
And if you'd like a mustached bookmark of your own, you can find them:
{HERE}
Have a wonderful week, folks!
And I LOVE YOU, KEARSIE!
xoxo,
8 comments:
this was so sentimental. you're a sap. also. kearsie is the best. so are you. and so am i. yada yada yada.
(insert whatever sappy message you want from me here. i'll back it up.)
I am a sap. This is a truefact. Also, Kearsie is the best and so are you. yada yada yada.
I think I can bottle up all the sap I feel and sell it as pancake syrup.
I lurve you too. And you're the best. Which was already said which makes me a copycat which makes me have book writing complexes which makes me just want to sit down with a book and read which makes me hunt for a bookmark.
Aaaand we've come full circle.
Sap.
Tell ya what, Kears. Bottle it as maple flavored frosting and I'll bake a maple and #bacon cake and ice it an then eat it in your honor.
Winn - did you see what I did there? Yeah, that's right. #bacon.
Nice to hear such support and love in your words Marisa...I have known friends who have gone through scares and the real thing...it's scary. I wish her and her family all the best in the coming months.
Off to check out the bookmarks!
Marisa you are a sap, but a fantastic one! You are a sweetheart, and this post was so great and funny until I got to the bad news about your friend. I'll be thinking about you. I'm off to check out the mustache bookmarks!
You're a great friend. I've had two close friends diagnosed with breast cancer - I totally understand your shock. It totally does make it more "real". But I'm buoyed by recent stats which say that although more women are being diagnosed with breast cancer, more are surviving it as well.
I can't even imagine the emotional rollercoaster that must have been, but I'm happy to hear they caught it and that she's cancer free. What a fun way to support a friend as she goes through the ickiness that is chemo. I swear you must have stolen my high school copy of Pride and Prejudice. It looks just like that!
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