All My Aunties Have Cancer

Recently, cancer has taken Mothers from All My Friends. My Mom's Sister has cancer, the Mom of my Childhood Best Friend, the Pancake Champion, is having a mastectomy next week. I'm writing this on Shabbat and I haven't cried like this in a long time. She's like a real Aunt to me; we used to go on vacations together, she's family. I've never called Her anything other than Aunt. My Best Friend from high school's Mom got sick in October, right after we started college. My own Mom had cancer when She was pregnant with me. She could have died, or never had more kids.

Why are all my Beloved Women getting cancer? They're fading before my eyes, I see them growing sad and thin. My Mom hasn't had a checkup in years, she should, she might have a recurrence. But she's afraid and I don't blame her. And I've never been to a gynaecologist, or had a checkup.

I don't know how to help them, I'm afraid I'll upset them more than I'll help. My Mom forbade me from baking Aunt a cake this morning. I wanted to show her I'm there for her. As best as I can. I felt bad after what I heard from my Dad and Mom. But she had cancer, and he had a stroke. I've never been in a hospital. They probably know better.

I've heard many times that the last thing a Patient needs is pity. And I know my cake won't cheer anyone up, but I feel strange knowing someone close to my heart is dying, and I'm pretending I don't care or know anything.

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