Dear God: Today I am grateful that...

...I've never had cancer and that I get to meet awe-inspiring survivors like Cynthia.

Cynthia knew she had breast cancer even though five doctors told her she did not. If she had listened to them, and given in to the bullying and arrogance of two of them, she would not have been diagnosed until Stage 3 or 4 rather than at Stage 1.

After her mastectomy, she was fired from her job for not returning to work soon enough. Her employer claimed she voluntarily terminated her position. The results were no unemployment benefits and no COBRA insurance. She was 55 years old, a single woman, unemployed and with no insurance -- and undergoing agressive cancer treatment. The kind of treatment that makes you wish you were dead.

Her dearest friends were compassionate and helpful for awhile. She discovered cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery goes on so long that your friends burn out and run out of energy. Then they don't come around so often anymore.

She had seven surgeries in nine months including breast reconstruction. When she was finally willing to let a stranger touch her again, she went for a massage at Cancer Care Services where she broke down in tears on the massage table.

The compassionate massage therapist listened for a very long time and then sent her downstairs to meet with one of our social workers. Through her sobs, Cynthia told Jane that she just couldn't do it alone anymore. Jane said, "Oh my goodness, Cynthia. You don't have to do it alone anymore. We have so much we can do to help you."

That was a year ago, and today I got to spend time at my job hearing her story. She's upbeat, funny, compassionate and a real fighter. What a gift to meet her. And tomorrow they give me a paycheck! How cool is that?