A special message from Donna Gregory

SOUTHEASTERN NC (WWAY) — When we think of the moments in life that take our breath away, they are usually bits of beauty: the birth of a baby, a stunning sunset, a perfectly prepared and presented meal.

But then there are the knock-out punches you don’t see coming that can leave you struggling to catch your breath.

An unexpected medical diagnosis does that.

After months of trying to determine what was causing recurring coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue and weight loss, I underwent a biopsy April 1. The irony of scheduling an exploratory medical procedure on that date was not lost on me, but I had convinced myself I would not have to worry about an April Fool’s joke.

I believed I would leave the hospital with a prescription and a nutrition plan to quickly get back to perfect health.

That didn’t happen, however, and now I am trying to breathe through the reality that I was wrong.

I learned that doctors had found cancer in the tissue samples.

It felt like a horse kick to the stomach, a sucker punch from some unseen and sinister opponent.

I stopped hearing the words, and only saw the images of the faces of the people I love: my children, grandchildren, siblings, extended family and friends and coworkers. I understand this is common, and many of you may have experienced this. I hope you never have to, though.

When something like this happens to you, your brain becomes flooded and you need to have people around you who can think clearly and ask the questions you don’t even know you have. I had that support at the hospital, and continue to have it now.

We are assembling a team of amazing physicians and technicians to help me tackle this, both here in the Cape Fear area, and at the research hospitals in the Raleigh-Durham area. I am confident in the quality of care I will receive, and am slowly getting used to the idea that I am now a cancer patient.

A friend reminded me that the word ‘cancer’ starts with ‘can’, and I have always believed in possibilities, living in hope and formed by faith. I will rely on that now more than ever, as I take the deepest breath I can , and take a hard left turn on a road I never saw coming.

I will be off the air for a while so I can undergo the treatment protocol doctors create. My plan is to get stronger and healthier each day, and prayers help, always.

There is a breeze of beauty in all of this. Angels disguised as friends appear exactly when I need them, to help do my laundry, make sure I keep eating and walk with me to exercise my lungs. I am
mostly concerned about my children and their mental health during this transition time for our family. Thank you for your prayers for them, too, as they circle the wagons to help take care of their mom.

My wish for you now is that you have moments that leave you breathless in the best way. That you take in all of life’s magnificence. And that you can learn to exhale when you simply have to let go of control.

Sending love and light to you all.

XOXO

Donna