Hope on the Other Side of the Mountain
Welcome Home
You have found your way home at the National Breast Cancer Foundation. We care about you and have designed a Web site to give you information, friendship, and hope.
Yes, my friend, you are home. Home to you was something comfortable and safe. Now you have a mountain in your life and don’t recognize anything. You may feel alone and heartbroken that you, or someone you love, are facing breast cancer. Do you want to share your experience with us of how you feel? Did someone do something special for you that made you feel loved? Please share your comments or click here to tell us your story. Take a moment to relax and allow me to share my “mountain experience.”
A Mountain in the Middle of the Road
Scotts Bluff National Monument, an oddly formed mountain in the middle of western Nebraska’s flat prairie land, was like a beacon of light for people traveling the Oregon, California, Mormon, and Pony Express Trails. And, it became the one landmark that helped me find my way home.
Safe Passage
Several years ago my family moved to this geographically remote area of Scottsbluff/Gering, Neb., population 25,000. We had only one view of the not-too-distant Scotts Bluff National Monument as we went about out daily routines. We were comfortable in knowing the distance from the Monument to our home. The towering presence of the mountain made us feel safe.
Search for the Other Side of the Mountain
One day my young son and I took an exploration drive around the Monument to find out what was on the other side. The closer we got to its broad base, the more it overpowered the landscape. After a while we decided we had taken on a greater challenge than we had time for in one day, so we started home. Only, the road was now unfamiliar and the sun was setting. Fascination turned to fear. We couldn’t find our way home. We knew there was only one mountain in this area and that we were not far from home, but the unfamiliar terrain became confusing. Yes, we did eventually make our way back to our home side of the mountain, but I have often thought about the way I felt during a time of uncertainty and unfamiliarity trying to find my way home.
Thought of the Week
Many of you today are on the other side of the mountain. You may be afraid of where your future takes you or even if you will find your way home. Reach out to the caring friendships of others. There is hope on the other side of the mountain. Welcome home!
Janelle
Janelle,
How inspiring! I believe this entry is true for any hardships encountered throughout life. Great job!
Shana
by: Shana on May 11th, 2007 at 11:21 am
I’ve been there before!
by: Kevin on June 1st, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Hi,
I am facing a mountain now and I have not even been diagnosed yet. My GYN felt a nodule on my left breast & I have been to the radiologist for a diagnostic mammogram & ultrasound. I am now going through waves of anger, panic, talking to myself about the statistics to feel better & praying. My prayer is bartering with GOD. I tell GOD if he lets this mass be benign I will ….. My husband keeps telling me there is nothing wrong with me. Since my exems now I feel the lump or mass and it is sensitive & that breast is enlarged more then the other. I go home from work ( I work with ALL MEN) & I just want to have a couple of alcoholic drinks so I can escape & sleep. Just so I can get thruogh the waiting time. Then I feel guilty because I am not being a very good example to my children. Who were scared when I first told them about the findings of the GYN. So I need to hide my emotions when around my teenagers.
I am going out of my mind. I am trying to stay busy but the scared/sad thoughts seem to creep up.
If nothing else thank you for letting me vent & get it out. I need someone who understands.
I cannot believe that I did not feel this myself earlier! It seems that the nodule popped up all of a sudden! I am fearful because if it can be felt then I must be doomed because it is so large!
Signed,
Anne Ongaro
by: Anne Ongaro on July 12th, 2007 at 12:01 pm