| Commentary and Philosophy Non-Fiction posted October 18, 2025 | Chapters: |
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Diagnosis: bone cancer.
A chapter in the book Reminiscing
Chapter 34 Rita
by barbara.wilkey
| Background 'We don't remember the days; we remember the moments.' By Italian poet Cesare Pavese |
This is a little different. My heart is heavy, and I needed a platform to share. My best friend since 1987, Rita just told me that she was diagnosed with bone cancer. Rita is six years older than I am.
Rita and I met while teaching first grade in Darmstadt, Germany. Her classroom was beside mine. We became immediate friends and have remained in contact through the years.
Both our husbands were active Army. Her husband retired and they remained in Germany while she continued teaching.
About fifteen years ago, she retired and they returned to the states. It just so happened they ended up in the same city we live in, and we attend the same church. I got her a job teaching part-time remedial reading teaching job at the same school I taught first grade at.
We make sure we have lunch together every Monday afternoon. No matter what, we cherish that time together.
She was my strength when I had breast cancer fifteen years ago. I was her strength when she had it ten years ago, and also when her husband died five years ago.
A few weeks ago, I took her to the ER because she was in great pain. It was her shoulder. After an X-ray, it was determined that she had broken her shoulder blade. Only she hadn't fallen and there was no reason for it to be broken. During the following week her doctor did many tests to determine why her shoulder blade broke for no reason.
Her doctor, by phone, told her she needed to consider home health care and a few other options. She has an appointment Monday to determine her treatment plan. I will continue to be by her side as she travels this journey.
I know FanStory is a praying community, please pray for my friend Rita.
Rita and I met while teaching first grade in Darmstadt, Germany. Her classroom was beside mine. We became immediate friends and have remained in contact through the years.
Both our husbands were active Army. Her husband retired and they remained in Germany while she continued teaching.
About fifteen years ago, she retired and they returned to the states. It just so happened they ended up in the same city we live in, and we attend the same church. I got her a job teaching part-time remedial reading teaching job at the same school I taught first grade at.
We make sure we have lunch together every Monday afternoon. No matter what, we cherish that time together.
She was my strength when I had breast cancer fifteen years ago. I was her strength when she had it ten years ago, and also when her husband died five years ago.
A few weeks ago, I took her to the ER because she was in great pain. It was her shoulder. After an X-ray, it was determined that she had broken her shoulder blade. Only she hadn't fallen and there was no reason for it to be broken. During the following week her doctor did many tests to determine why her shoulder blade broke for no reason.
Her doctor, by phone, told her she needed to consider home health care and a few other options. She has an appointment Monday to determine her treatment plan. I will continue to be by her side as she travels this journey.
I know FanStory is a praying community, please pray for my friend Rita.
 Recognized |
For some reason every time I attempted to add a photograph I was kicked out of my book, and it went to a regular post. I guess the FanStory gremlins are at work. I hope they get this issue fixed.
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