The BEST things anyone said to/about you.

I'm bringing dinner, what night can I bring? We had dinner every night for 3 weeks after my bmx. A couple of times people got their wires crossed and we had 2 dinners. We had tons of chocolate cakes. You know chocolate makes everything better! 

A woman in my BC support group said "I can't believe that you didn't lose your hair".  The others agreed and they didn't believe that I was wearing a wig until I took it off to prove it.  I've had tons of other people tell me that they thought my wig was my own hair and didn't realize that I was wearing one until I mentioned it.  I honestly did not freak out at the thought of losing my hair, but knowing that the wig looked natural and becoming made me feel confident, since I work with the public.  I actually enjoyed the time that I was bald and found it very freeing - a time to experiment with my "look" and not get stuck in a rut with hair color or style.  Now that my own hair is growing back and I'll be able to go without the wig soon, I'm planning to keep the style and the color of the that wig because it looks so good on me.

My family didn't specifically "say" anything, but their love and support was shouted from the rooftops in their loving and caring actions and behaviors.  I am so blessed to have them.

When I was diagnosed, my son was a Senior in High School, the day after I had a mastectomy, his school buddies came to give support, and they told me "Don't worry about anything, the most popular girls at school had mastectomies"

That not only made me laugh , but to think is better to be alive, even with one breast and this white lie was the best gift  given to me.

I said to my oncologist once that I didn't know how he did his job because it must be so sad to watch people die.  He responded by saying, "Well, I have mostly breast cancer patients and most of them live."  I thought it was so encouraging.

Two things that come to my mind right away are:

1. A friend of mine who knew I was going through treatment, but whom I hadn't seen since starting, commented when we were together at a reunion, "Well, at least you didn't lose your hair." (I had indeed lost my hair, was wearing a wig and was thrilled that it looked so natural!)

2. I worked throughout my treatments; a young co-worker whose dad had gone through cancer treatments, so knew what that entails, commented, "You are one tough lady."

Great idea for a thread, Catherine! Look at all these heartwarming responses.

When I told my co-workers I was diagnosed with BC one of them sent me an email that said this:

" The course of the treatment will never alter your image because your true beauty is underneath all that fades. "

I thought that was really sweet.

I love these stories, especially those caring teenage boys!! As the mother of two 10 year old boys I look forward to them being such lovely young men when they are teenagers.

I had two girlfriends, mums from my kids kindergarten, do some things for me that I will never forget. One lady just said she would be taking my boys for a play at her house every Friday afternoon.  She also dropped off meals of chicken soup, which I couldn't stomach given the chemo, but it was so nice to be loved.  One day on her way to work she dropped off flowers and a beautiful card at my doorstep and knocked at the door and then jumped back in her car.  She was backing out my drive when I bent down to pick up the flowers!

The other lady showed up my doorstep fielding a huge smile a bottle of freshly sqeazed orange juice, with a touch of ruby grapefruit.  She used the fruit from her own trees and she was so pleased with herself to be able to do that for me.  I had mentioned that I kept getting really dehydrated on chemo because I couldn't bear to drink because everything tasted so awful except orange juice.  It was so wonderful to have that juice.  It was such a small thing but 5.5 years later I still think about the kindness.

Speaking of my boys we have some great laughs at my expense and I hope noone is offended by this story.  Last night we were mucking around and one of my son's was getting hubby and I some icecream. We were joking about who was getting how much.  I said "well Mum will have a serve the size of my right boob and Dad can have some the size of my left boob" (my husband had previously dished up this son a VERY small serve and I had a left mastectomy).  My husband said something cheeky to my son about this and then I said "Or how about I go and get my left boob  out of the wardrobe and you can throw it at him".  We all just cracked up.

We probably sound crazy but it was very funny at the time...and you've got to laugh.

Take care,

Sandy

How cool, Sunshine; a secret admirerer!!!

Hi Catherine

I was so inspired to read your comments about what people have said to you about your cancer and it is so reassuring to hear that the nurse was positive and also the oncologist because I think we need some convincing (me most of the time) I just want to live for ever daft I know !!

Have great husband and kids and grandchildren and health was ok till I reached 58 still never mind am still her - must go now as am getting upset (perhaps that's what i need a good old cry)

Best wishes

Debs

So many nice things:

1. A former co-worker came and gave me a refresher course on crocheting before chemo,so I would have something to take up the time. Another co-worker had someone bake me a red velvet cake (my favorite). Yet another co-worker made me a breast cancer quilt (that she had the other workers put a message on and sign) and presented it to me at our Christmas get together!

2. My mom bought me a Sony Reader, I love to read, so I wouldn't have to carry around the numerous books I am always seen with!!  She also insisted that I move back home temporarily while undergoing chemo, so she could help my husband and I with the children!! At 32 and the only child, I will always be "her baby"!

3. Everyone tells me how brave, courageous and strong I am for working through chemo (as a pharmacy manager I worked 10 hour days and had 2 small kids at home (7 and 3 at time). Of course towards the end I had to decrease my hours.

It was just amazing how many people look up to you when you laugh in the face of adversity!! But I honestly didn't have a chance to scream, holler or complain.  I had enough other people doing it (that I had to calm down and tell it would be ok) from family, co-workers, doctors, nurses, etc who just kept saying I was too young and it wasn't fair.  I looked at it as no it's not fair but if not me then who? I had to stay positive and focused on my goal of fighting and beating this beast.  I refuse to let someone else raise my kids!!  My only choice is survival, because I LOVE LIFE....

God's blessings to all....