In memory of Janie
Once upon a time, I started a blog with the goal of empowering today’s breast cancer survivors. I called it The Breast Blog and using blogger as a platform, posted about myself and the things I’d come across in the world that meant something to me as a survivor.
One day I learned of a young man named Matt, an 18 year old student whose mother, Janie, was fighting a breast cancer recurrence.
Matt had this great idea — to raise money and support for his mother. He called it, Faces for a Cure. I jumped on this — maybe because I knew what it was like to be the mother of a son, maybe because I knew what it was like to experience a recurrence, who knows.
So time went on, my life went on, I came here to start a new conversation …
Today I learned that Janie lost her fight. Yesterday. I am so … word can’t even come. I’m completely broken up about this.
Janie’s death is poignant to me for so many reasons: I didn’t live near Matt and Janie, yet the Internet made me feel close to them. I’d never met Matt, yet something about his efforts made me feel proud of him. I’d never met Janie, yet our shared experiences made me feel akin to her.
The problem for survivors is that each time one of us loses the battle, we feel vulnerable to attack, frightened we might also be defeated.
I’m going to post the first comment today … for Matt and Janie.
October 11th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
For Janie, I pray you have found peace. I know that you will look down on your son with love and pride. He is your legacy … you really did good by him in your lifetime.
For Matt, I pray your pain is bearable. Your mother was blessed to have such a fine young man as her son. She will always be by your side, as she always was, you just need to have faith and you will feel her.
God bless you both where you are right now.
October 11th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
What a lovely smile…you can see that Janie was lit from within. Matt echoes his mother and it is obvious what love these two share.
Matt has created a wonderful tribute to his mother, something that Janie was able to see and experience with him. She will have known his love, and seen how much his love meant. How much his mother has meant to him.
I pray for Janie’s soul that she find peace, eternal love and comfort. That she will continue to shine down on Matt and those she loved in her life.
I pray for Matt to help him through this difficult time. That he will carry on this fight in his mother’s name, in her honour and for those of us who continue to cope with this disease.
May every breeze that blows, every touch of air on his cheek remind Matt that his mother still loves him very much…and those “caresses” are her spirit reminding him when he’ll need her the most.