Heroes

Not all heroes wear capes. Many of them wear uniforms, police officers, fire fighters, military, doctors, nurses, medical technicians are a few examples. Many heroes are everyday heroes, people we interact with daily that perform small or large heroic deeds.

Maybe that hero is a man that takes copious notes during doctor appointments so he can have information at his fingertips about his wife's medical journey. It could be a teenage son that babysits his little sisters while his mom is receiving radiation. Maybe it's the little sisters that have to learn that Mommy can't hug them or hold them while she's sore and recovering from surgery. It could be a young man that takes that teenager out to play basketball to give him a break from the stress at home. That hero could be a mother-in-law that provides emotional support and caffeine during chemotherapy or a childhood friend that takes a week of vacation to fly down and care for her friend during treatment. Maybe it's the parents of the patient that spend months living with her and her family to do everything that they can to make the recovery process easier. It's that mom that puts on her armor and stays tough for her daughter as she undergoes the biggest battle of her life. That mom that wishes more than anything that she could take the pain away from her daughter but knows that it's not her battle to fight. Maybe it's a stranger that gives an encouraging smile or nod, or a minister that gives up 2 days of vacation to be there while the patient has surgery. Heroes are neighbors that provide chemo boxes with presents to unwrap to distract the patient from her treatment. Heroes are prayer warriors, neighbors, and friends that provide meals for the family.

The medical team of doctors, nurses, technicians are all absolutely heroes. These are the people that every single day encounter people at their worst, that develop relationships with patients that they sometimes lose. These are the heroes that treat the patients and their families with respect and dignity. People that might have answered the same question thousands of times before, but it's the first time for you and they answer it as if it's the first time for them.

These people are heroes, and all play a part in this crusade. I'm sorry for all the war talk, but battling cancer is a struggle, it is a battle, it is a war.

If you asked everyone that knows Tracy to give one word to describe her impulsive would NEVER be mentioned. Tracy needs a plan. Unfortunately, cancer doesn't play by the rules. Her life for the last seven months has been anything but structured. She's spent this time in an almost constant state of fluidity, and she's found a strength that she never knew she had. She had a great supporting cast, but ultimately it was her, God and cancer fighting it out. Thanks be to God that cancer lost.

I'm incredibly proud of Tracy and the way she managed this struggle. Her positive attitude played a huge role in beating cancer. She maintained this outlook even while losing her hair! She went with the flow, something I never would have thought I would say about her. She's cancer free!

I feel fortunate to have this amazing woman as a friend, and that I will have her for many years to come. Tracy, your bravery has been an inspiration, you are genuinely a hero. I love you girl.

"Cause you know heroes come in every shape and size

Making special sacrifices for others in their lives

No one gives them medals

The world don't know their names

But in someone's eyes, they're heroes just the same."

Paul Overstreet "Heroes" Heroes: The US album BMG 1990