Chutes and Ladders

We all remember the favorite childhood game Chutes and Ladders.  I remember playing it with my siblings and then again with my own children.  I was asked to email another young mom with breast cancer.  As I was thinking how to relate cancer to our lives, this game kept coming to mind.  

Just like the little people who we move on the game board, we are all wanting to move ahead.  We all have plans, we are all searching for the best way to climb our "ladders".  We are busy making choices everyday about how we spend our time.  We care for our children, husbands, our loved ones.  We have dreams for our future.  Often times, just when we are stretching to grasp that very last step on the ladder, we are dealt a shiny little card that says, "not this time", and we spiral down the chute.  

I relate to this game.  Having metastatic breast cancer is a lot like chutes and ladders.  Most times I am doing well.  I am climbing my ladder and my chemotherapy drugs are working.  I am getting sleep and home life is running somewhat normal......our "new"normal.  And then, B-A-M, just like that, you have a scan that shows new growth, or my cancer antigen numbers are rising and we can not figure out why.  And now, I  am falling down that darn chute again.

I don't feel like this only relates to cancer.  I love the quote, "Be kind,everyone you meet is facing a battle." Perhaps, I am the lucky one.   My battle is  easy for others to see.  With my head scarves, my wigs, and when I feel really brave, my little bald head.

Let us be sure to be kind to everyone today as we are all climbing up our ladders.  Most importantly, let us catch those who are on their way down their chute.