I wish to God this blog didn't exist

But, much like the Chicago Cubs (that link is no accident), this blog does exist, and it exists for my mother, Susan Melanie (Grubaugh) Lemmon. Those of you who manage find your way to this site early in "Susie's Fight" will know all about her—the kind person she is, the helpful, cheery, out-of-control sweetheart she is...the wonderful friend and mother she is. You may not know exactly why you're here.

Susan was diagnosed yesterday (February 7) with breast cancer...a very small tumor, very early in its existence. It is, however, invasive, and surgery and/or treatment will indeed be needed (we meet with the surgeon on Monday at 9:15). Honestly, I hope to God that this blog lasts about a month, that radiation and a lumpectomy and Vigilant Prayer by the Christian Women's Fellowship at Ozark Christian Church are enough to beat this. But I'm not naive—I can see many of you, veterans of the cancer, shaking your heads (this kid is sooooo disillusioned). Cancer's a bitch, tough to beat. I don't pretend otherwise; but Hope, it is a pill we all take from time to time, especially in choppy waters.

For those of you who don't know Susan, she is a 54-year-old Kindergarten teacher from Ozark, Missouri. She is short, round, sandy haired (going gray—please ma, don't hate me), prone to Christmas sweaters and hugs. On the day we found out she had cancer (Yesterday? Just yesterday?) she wore a pink shirt, pink "Find a Cure" socks, burgundy corduroy pants and a smile that only disappeared for about 15 minutes. That says everything you need to know about Susan.

Here's a quick breakdown of our family: She's been married for 31 years (on February 20) to Curt, my dad, also 54, who suffered a massive stroke in 1998. He thankfully survived and thrived, with an iron will and a soft heart, but his speech and mobility are limited. He cannot work or drive. That Susan has only gotten nicer and sweeter in the eight years since the stroke is to her credit, as well as my dad's. But this is not my dad's blog.

I am Susan's only bouncing baby boy, Matt. I'm in journalism (bolder readers may check out the fruits of my labors here), and my wife of four plus years, Nichole, is a teacher at Central High School in Springfield, Missouri. We are busy, with no children, and only a (right now) ridiculously annoying Yorkie to offer as grand-uh, dogs. This is most certainly not our blog.

Susan's parents, Neal and Betty Grubaugh, live across the street from Susan and Curt, still in the house Susan grew up in (it's all a bit Everybody Loves Raymond, yes). They are 84 and 80...something, respectively. Neither is in good health, and Susan has been their primary caretaker, especially since the onset of Parkinson's in Neal and the discovery of cancer in Betty's lung just last April, which against all odds she has survived to this point. But this is not their blog, either, though anything that brings awareness to untreatable diseases will bring them joy and (fingers tightly crossed here) some help.

My dad's mother, Geri, lives in a retirement apartment here in Springfield. She's an independent, slightly hobbled (but very healthy) woman who set aside moving to a new condo so as not to worry mom. That doesn't mean she won't move in June, but we love her for the gesture just the same. She's never owned a computer, and it's not her blog.

Susan's two brothers live on the east coast: Myron near Philadelphia and Tom near Richmond, Virginia. They would kick my ass if I tried to make this their blog. Seriously. Kick my ass.

So those are the major players. I'll try to introduce other people to you in context when they surface during Susie's Fight.

So that's the background, as if most of you didn't know. I hope this site will serve as a "home base" of sorts for all of us to talk about mom, for me to share news from the doctors, updates on her progress and maybe some photos and funny anecdotes. Mostly it's to support Susan/Mom/Mrs. Lemmon...Susie...whether she reads it or not, whether she ever even needs all the prayers that will surely be offered up to whatever gods are worshiped out there. It's here, we're here, and she's here.

Let's lift her up as she's lifted up all of us.

Leave your comments/wishes/questions below. I'll work on getting this site updated with recent photos, and hopefully a link to a worthy organization so we can donate our money—as well as our thoughts and energy—to fighting cancer.