What's the nicest thing anyone has done for you?
I was diagnosed in January and had a mastectomy with tissue expanders in February followed by 6 months of CMF chemo. I'm having my exchange surgery in 10 days and while I can't wait to get rid of this baseball, I am feeling extremely apprehensive about the surgery and recovery (I'm just now feeling back to my new 'normal'). I've been depressed lately thinking about the possibility of recurrence and going through all this again.
Today while reading posts on this site, I realized that a lot of possitive has come out of this--friends have shown their true colors and others have come out of the woodwork to offer support. I'm wondering about nice things that people have done to support you during your dx, treatment and recovery. For me, the most thoughtful show of support came from an unlikely source--my mother-in-law. Don't get me wrong, she's great but not known for dealing with difficult issues well.
She sent me a quilt square every week that I was going through chemo. Almost without fail on Tuesday each week, I would receive an envelope in the mail with a beautiful, colorful square. Sometimes there'd be a quick note, but usually it was just the square. It was her way of letting me know that she was thinking of me each week as I went through my tx. She plans to make whatever I want--a blanket, a wall hanging--that incorporates all 26 squares. It really was one of the most genuine displays of caring and support that I received in the last 10 months.
Comments
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I hope this topic is open to all...
So many nice things have happened during the new journey into bc mets - meeting these wonderful people here, the gathering of my neighbors, all the angels I received when initially dx'd from my sock knitting buddy's Caring List, the little packages from special friends from these boards that brought tears to my eyes, my family - I could go on but the most special was when I received my Hugaghan. It was on a dreary and very down Saturday that it arrived. I was curled up in a ball wondering where to turn and once I opened this package - I wrapped myself in it and it felt like all the cares melted away and I was surrounded by the hugs and thoughts and blessings from thousands! I spent the day wrappped in it and it now resides drapped at the foot of my bed, available whenever I lack the courage to go on - I think of everyone of you and I get up and go - everyday.
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Many people have done many wonderful things for me, but one of the things that moved me most was the day of my last Herceptin treatment. After a year of being in treatment, as I left I chatted briefly with another lady receiving her breast cancer treatment. We spoke a few minutes.
As I left, she said she would be praying for me.
She was Stage 4.
I knew I had just spent a few moments with a very special person, who had a heart big enough to think of someone else despite the grave situation she herself faced.
That was almost 2 years ago. I hope she's still there fighting this lousy disease.
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An RN lightly scratched my back while standing next to me when I was recovering from an infected and unsuccessful save the nipple effort. First touch I had had without pain.
My second ps sat knee to knee and listened to my concerns and was honest with me.
My husband dropped me off at the hospital 1.5 hrs from home and returned home to "make rounds" on his patients.. (really!) he returned in time before I was sedated for mast/recon. about 5 hrs later after I had first visit with ps and did all the stuff for SNB and prep for OR> He did take me to each ps f/u till I could drive (2.5 hrs each way) After surgery, I did very well till his sec./office mgr. had a heart attack about 1 month post op. I then had to take over the offiice. Not good, but at least I understanded termanology. We had to get someone else to do billing. Neither of us knew how.
Had a couple people make dinner for us and bring it over. Had some keen get well cards and flowers.
.I'll never forget the nurse scratching my back for a short period of tiime.
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