Looking back on this last year I can remember people not really knowing what to say to me.  They certainly meant well, and I am so grateful for all the love and positive comments I received.  But here is a list of the Top 10 Things Not to Say to Someone Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer:

10. What do you think caused it?  (If I knew that, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.)

9. How are you feeling? You look good. (I am not dying today and the shirt I am wearing has a stain on the front.  Did you miss that?)

8. How big is your tumor?  (Really- big enough- ok?)

7. You’re having both removed- wow- I could never do that.  (You’d be surprised what you’ll do when your life is threatened!)

6. God never gives you something bigger than you can handle.  (So not true- God didn’t “give me breast cancer.”  He allowed it.  And He wants me to be completely dependent on Him because He knows I can’t handle it without Him.)

5. My mother had breast cancer.  She died.  (Oh my- did you actually just say THAT to me?)

4. Are you getting nipples too?  (Wow- that seems just a tad on the personal side…..)

3. Is it in your lymph nodes?  (We don’t know that for sure yet and I’m trying not to hyper-focus on this uncertainty. )

2. Let me know if you need anything. (Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm)

1. Your new breasts will never sag- they’ll always be perky! (I love the breasts God gave me.  I nursed my three babies with them, my husband loves them, and I’m totally okay with them sagging. 🙂