I Just Felt Myself Up

Last night, I thought it was time to get some things off the DVR.  I scanned through and tried to decide what to watch or delete. 

On the list was FIVE.

The groundbreaking original movie “Five” is an anthology of five short films exploring the impact of breast cancer on people’s lives. “Five” highlights the shared experience each short film’s title character endures from the moment of diagnosis, through an interconnected story arc that uses humor and drama to focus on the effect breast cancer and its different stages of diagnosis have on relationships and the way women perceive themselves while searching for strength, comfort, medical breakthroughs and, ultimately, a cure.


It isn't scheduled to be aired again but you can watch it online.  And I hope that you will. 

I cried at so many moments in this movie.  Sad moments, poignant moments, beautiful moments. 

And when the movie was over, I went to the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror and I felt myself up.  I actually followed the directions.  I do a quick feel in the shower once a month or every other month.  But I admit that I don't do a full on self exam every month. 

Any time a life is gone... when it seems there is still so much life to live... is a tragedy that we can't quite put into a box that fits any explanation.  A car accident, a tragedy, sudden illness.  Cancer is one of many things on a list of life takers. 

There are oodles of statistics out there about cancer and breast cancer and survival and death and types of cancers and preventative measures and so on.

But there was a part in that movie that struck me the most deeply.

One of the characters had a friend who had been a close friend for 20 years- they'd been neighbors, had their kids together.  But when the cancer struck, the close friend wouldn't take calls and never offered any help.  But someone who was new in this woman's life stepped up and became the friend she needed- bringing food and movies to get her through the fight for her life.

When I think back to what I was so blessed to be part of in July of 2009.  A mom in an online community for local moms had been diagnosed with cancer.  While her story ended tragically... there were beautiful and powerful moments that I witnessed along the way.

There were people who came together to get her a comfortable chair to rest in at home after her treatments.  There were people who brought meals to her family.  There were people who took her to treatments and appointments.  There were neighbors who watched the kids. 

So when I sat and watched FIVE... I thought about that mom and her family.  I thought about the people who stepped up to support this family, this woman, her husband.  I reflected on the emotional roller coaster that I rode for those weeks- which wasn't even a minor reflection of what that family was living. 

I know that there are others out there right now who are fighting for their lives right now.  There are bloggers I know who are fighting. There are bloggers I know who have a loved one that has lost the battle. 

We certainly can't control everything in life.  But I'm making a sincere plea that you take your health seriously.  Please take time today- right now if you can- to go and do a thorough self exam.  If you know someone going through treatments, please keep showing up for them.  And if you are currently going through this battle, even if I don't know you, please know that I am praying for you.

Now go feel yourself up.