My Story...

A couple of months ago, a fellow cancer patient in one of my support groups asked me if I would be willing to be in a book a friend was writing. I told her that I would love to help her and that was that. Fast forward to a month ago when I get a call from a photographer that wants to do the "photography shoot" with me for the book. Oh boy, now you've done it Christa!! I graciously accepted and then later wondered what on Earth I was going to wear to this photo shoot. In the end, I just went as myself. I wore jeans, a pink shirt with a black and white polka dot sweater on stop. The necklace my parents brought me from Hawaii, and of course my "William and Kate wedding" hat. You know, the kind the Brittish are famous for, and bald people love because it covers more head.
 And today I just finished my "write up" for the one page of information that is going with the photo shoot. I thought I would share it with you guys even though I don't know if I will ever see the book or photos. Still, it was a fun opportunity to delve into my "creative brain". (I was pretty sure they zapped it right out of my head during whole brain radiation, but alas, there are still traces of creativity left! buried.........deep!)

My Story by Christa Johnson (Stage 4 breast cancer)

I am at the dentist office with two of my children, my boys today. My oldest, Lund, is sketching with intensity on a piece of paper as he glances at the Army tank picture in his sketching book. My younger boy, Will, is climbing on my lap and asking me to read the Scooby Doo book to him, “just one more time.” As if to make his point clear, he bursts out, “Mom, it is a pop-up book, we just HAVE to read it again.” And I look down at his sky blue eyes and give in. Half way through Scooby Doo, the answer hits me like a ton of bricks!!!!!

THIS IS WHY I FIGHT CANCER !

To be here with my boys in the dentist office today, and next year, and the year after. To go with my 12-year-old daughter to the latest ‘tween movie in a theater filled with other mothers and their daughters. To watch my 8-year-old as she runs up to me with a one-legged parakeet on her finger. “Look mom, He loves me!” And indeed he does, as all animals do. No animal can resist Sarah.

THIS IS WHY I FIGHT!

I want to see my husband day after day as he bursts in the door after work and hugs me, commenting as ususal...”You didn’t overdo it today, did you honey?”

“Of course not” I reply through a smirk, “You know me.”

“Yeah, that’s what scares me!!!” He hollers as he heads up the stairs, “I DO know you!!!”… and he races off to change so he can roughhouse with the kids.

So, that’s my story…

I am a young mom with stage 4 breast cancer, going to chemo two days a week and raising my kids the other five days. I take more pills that most moms. I have no hair. I get tired really easy. I AM BREAST CANCER!!!

Yet, life is wonderful! My family is wonderful! I fight to be here as their mother and as a wife enjoying all the good life has to offer for many more years to come.

I WILL watch them walk down the aisle at their weddings.

I WILL watch them as they throw their caps in the air on graduation day, and

I WILL hold my grandbabies in a rocking chair on my front porch. But most importantly,

I WILL grow old with my husband and best friend by my side,

And there WILL be many more trips to the dentist office….