I’m at a loss for words, forgive me. I just feel so heartbroken and sorry, but also so hopeful and certain that you have what you need—apart from you and within you—to fight.
I read a book by Audre Lorde in which she detailed having been diagnosed with cancer—breast cancer, I believe. Then there came this part where she sat in the doctor’s office, went home, laid in bed at night, all the while ruminating on her diagnosis. And she thought about all the times she expressed fears or doubts over various significant life occurrences.
And then she asked herself aloud, “What on Earth had I EVER been afraid of?”
It was like she had found her strength. She looked upon her past terrors and realized that the power to overcome them had been within her all along, and that she still had that power.
I can’t pretend to understand the smash of a cancer diagnosis upon one’s heart. But I can confidently say that, for what it’s worth, between your diagnosis and all it entails you’re going to experience life—waking up, fostering your incredible career in social work, loving your husband who will always support you, eating dinners, chatting with good friends. And despite any stressors that emerge during these life-things…I hope you’re going to bear the words of Audre Lorde, and that you’re going to realize (however many times) that this world cannot conquer you. Nothing here can conquer you, Nelly. And it especially won’t dare try to conquer your spirit.
There is endless love in here, endless love JUST for you. Please take it, and please continue on in your journey on this great spinning rock. Anything that tries to steal your peace, will ultimately fail. So much love.
![Red heart :heart: ❤](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/joypixels/emoji-assets@5.0/png/64/2764.png)
![Herb :herb: 🌿](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/joypixels/emoji-assets@5.0/png/64/1f33f.png)