Big Strong Girl

Here we go....game on! Today is Karen's first chemo treatment.

It's three months and one day from the day Karen first discovered a lump in her breast. I'd like to say that the past three months have gone quickly, but when you're waiting in anticipation of a big event -- like the start of chemotherapy -- time seems to move at a slower pace. Three months on this journey and "we've only just begun to fight." Now, more than ever, Karen will need to muster the strength, determination and courage to beat the cancer and endure the onslaught of 20 weeks of toxic chemotherapy. And you know what? Karen is up for the fight.

Just look at her photo above taken this morning before we left for her first treatment. That's a look that says "don't mess with me" (Trust me, I've seen that look before and she means business).

Karen is strong. A bit tired going into this next phase -- but strong and ready to get on with the treatment, kick cancer's ass and get back to normal.

A friend recently sent Karen a set of CDs she created with music she selected to bring her comfort and inspiration. One, called Big Strong Girl, seemed particularly appropriate:

It's not now or never

It's not black & it's not white

anything worth anything

takes more than a few days

and a long, long night

don't push so hard against the world

you can't do it all alone

and if you could, would you really want to?

even though you're a big strong girl,

come on, come on, lay it down

the best made plans are your open hands

rest your head

you've got two pillows to choose from

and a queen size bed

hold out for the the moon

don't expect connection anytime soon

feel the light caress your fingertips

you have just begun

the word has only left your lips

maybe in time, you will find

your arms are wrapped around the sun