We're Gonna Need a Bigger Bubble

This is what I'd call the definition of "a big drag, man".

Two years ago, I wrote this post, telling y'all that Becky the Suburban Matron had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and I asked you all to start praying in an attempt to surround her with a "big, bloggy bubble of love".

Since that time, Becky endured a mastectomy, radiation, reconstruction, chemotherapy, hair loss, a wig named Codi and performing on stage with me at BlogHer.

 

Becky survived...no, TRIUMPHED over all this with tremendous grace and humor, proving herself to be the Jane Austen of the blogging world. Hell, in the middle of it she even finished up her PhD! So that makes her Dr. Becky. Oh yeah.

Well now this.

Becky's beautiful, darling, funny, brilliant sister Amy, the Matron Down Under, has been diagnosed with...breast cancer.

I know, I know, I know.

For those of you who don't know/read Amy, you should, but if you don't, Amy and her husband, Jason, are ministers who are pastors at a church in Sydney, Australia. They have 3 of the cutest children you've ever seen.

Amy is every bit as gracious and funny as Becky. I guess that makes her Jane Austen's sister. Wait, did Jane Austen have a sister?...Wikipedia...Yes, Cassandra Austen. No wait, Cassandra never wrote anything. So I guess they're more like the Brontes. But I don't really think of the Brontes as witty. More like the Mitford sisters Yeah. The Mitford Sisters works. Sorry...I just went off on a wee tangent. Sigh...here I am trying to be funny when we're talking cancer.

Anyway, Amy IS funny, evidenced by her posts revealing her new-found cancer - here and here. She's one of the few bloggers I read who always makes me laugh with her self-deprecating charm and wit. She is also a woman of tremendous faith and courage.

And her prognosis looks great. They have found the tumor VERY early, through what Becky described as a "for-the-heck-of-it" ultrasound.  Because of the early diagnosis Amy will only need to have a lumpectomy, followed by radiation treatment. She won't know until after the surgery if she will need chemotherapy - there's a good chance she won't. Though if she does, I'm sure Becky will be happy to lend her Codi.

I am completely sickened by the injustice of this all. How is it that while the national statistics are that 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer, in their amazing family it's 2 in 2. It's just so unfair.

But really, if there's a family who can survive and triumph over such a mess, it's these guys. I've never known a family filled with more love and humor and intelligence. The whole bunch of them are amazing. I have previously mentioned my desire to be adopted by their parents, but I don't think they think I'm serious. But I am. I would very much like to be their big sister.

Don't you LOVE that picture? It's Becky and Amy and their brother Dave back when they were kids. It's kind of perfect, isn't it? I like to think that I'm the one in that boat in the background, their older sister who is supposed to be babysitting but instead, is drinking beer and "fishing" with her boyfriend. But I'm digressing once again...

So here's what we're gonna do. We're all going to start praying for Amy and her family. Just like we did for Becky. If we all start praying (or sending healing energy or white light or whatever) in her direction, we will create another big bloggy bubble of love and support to help her kick the cancer out of her body and tell it never to come back. Only this time the bubble is going to have to reach all the way to Australia, so PRAY HARD.  I firmly believe in the power of prayer, and I know that Amy does as well. So DO IT!

Start...NOW.

Oh, and if Amy's parents happen to read this, now would be an excellent time for this adoption, as you could probably use a little help. And there were three Bronte sisters. I'm a good cook, and willing to take care of you in your golden years. And I come cheap, you didn't have to pay for my college or my wedding. A good deal, I think. Consider it.

Are y'all praying? Well DO it.

Oh, and FEEL YOUR BOOBIES. Here's a post I wrote a while back with detailed instructions.

We love you Amy.

Comments

[Becky]

Gretchen, thank you so much for this post. YOU, my dear are brilliant and darling, and even better, you are what the Southern Baptists of my past would call a Prayer Warrior. It worked before and it will work now!

Also, there has lately been precedent in the news for people adopting unrelated adults as their "children," so I say we go with it and see what happens. I know you would fit in wonderfully with our family circle and Jude would love his new cousins.

Thanks girl. xoxo

[Sarah]

done and...DONE! This post is what I call, "rallyin' the troops". The prayer troops!

[Keely]

SO UNFAIR, I agree. I've been trying to think shiny happy thoughts in Amy's direction ever since I read her blog. Thanks for rallying the troops :)

[Amy in Australia]

Okay, well this just makes my day and I haven't even gotten out of bed yet! Gretchen, what a dear heart you are. Thank you for your sweet words and your prayers, and thank you for caring about someone you've never actually met! (Though it sure feels like we have.)

You are totally IN as a Bronte sister! You're right...I'm sure our parents would appreciate a daughter who can actually cook. ;) and truly, I need all the big sisters I can get right now!

Thanks, everyone! This experience is incredibly surreal, and yes, feels unfair at times. But I am doing okay. I really am. And I know that's because there are so many people thinking of me and keeping me in "the bubble". :) Humbling, really. Lots of love coming your way from Sydney!

[Stacy Uncorked]

Consider it done...prayers and many warm thoughts heading out right about.....NOW. :)

[Ginny Marie]

I know, I could hardly believe it when I read Amy and Becky's blogs! I have been praying for Amy. And I can't get over how much Becky and her little brother look like Laura and Hank! Whoa!

[The Bug]

Done! And I'm following both blogs now :)

[Andrea]

Bubble wand at the ready! Positive thoughts commencing!

[Debbie Odom]

Dear Gretchen, what a sweet, thoughtful person you are to be thinking of and praying for our Amy! She is an amazing young woman. Full of faith, fun, and love. That sounds kinda like a summer Bible camp, I know. But she is! We would love to meet you one day and have you visit us at the mountain house. I'll count on Becky to set it all up. But you seem like a lovely person who would totally be a wonderful addition to our crew. God bless you! Debbie