Overwhelming ...

I'm off to Toronto in the morning, and wanted to take an opportunity to thank you for the prayers, white-light and supportive thoughts. The support that you've shown Lisa has been incredibly, um, overwhelming - I'm looking for a better word but nothing else springs to mind.

I also wanted to give some perspective to Lisa's decision to start this blog. In my estimation, it started from a discussion that took place soon after her diagnosis. Our conversation focused on how so many people look away when discussing cancer, or quickly try to change the subject. While they may have reasons for doing so, they don't realize that in an instant they've let the disease define the person.

I remember Lisa pointing out that she's not the first woman with cancer, nor is she the first woman to require chemo or radiation. (Note: It will be 10-12 days before we find out what the next steps are.) From the beginning, she was insistent on being there for her "peeps", especially me. By keeping her life, more or less normal, she felt could stay on top of her stress. She's done a remarkable job.

When word of her cancer hit the word-of-mouth express, Lisa was inundated with emails. I watched one evening as she worked diligently to answer them all personally. When she was completed, she was exhausted. It was then that we discussed the idea of the blog. It was a brief exchange but it obviously stuck with her.

The idea of wearing pink came after a few exchanges with friends. Like all good friends, they offered to help Lisa with "anything". Lisa typically responded with a request for people to wear pink on the day of her surgery. In her wildest dreams though, she couldn't have anticipated the support that has poured in from, quite literally, all across the country. I thank you for making the woman I love understand just how special she is. Earlier tonight, she saw all the pics you've sent in and she cried.

She was overwhelmed.

There's that word again.

This has been a real-life 'pay-it-forward' experience that I will never forget.