what's the best thing people have said to you?

Lol!   That was funny.  I don't have children yet but hope to have one or two after I'm finished with tamoxifen.  I'd better not have any judgement from anybody when I whip out the formula! 

A co-worker sent me a card on my last day of radiation, calling me her hero. My significant other kept telling me that I would always be beautiful. My 78 yo Mom said hugging me after my diagnosis, "we are going to get you through this". My 83 yo Dad asking if I needed anymore of his hankies, I could have as many as I wanted (I used them after radiation on my raw breast). My cousin on the other side of the country dedicated a zumba dance to me, she has breast cancer survivors in her class and they were "all pulling for me". Amazing!

I was at a make-over session with a friend when my 21 yr old son texted me to ask if he could borrow my car.



I answered yes, explaining that I was having a makeover and I looked beautiful now. (I am bald, and have no brows or lashes).... He shot back: Mum you are always beautiful! *sigh*



I'm not sure he's really related to his father though. When I got home, he looked up as I walked in, a little nervous about what he'd think, would he even notice? .... Oh, he says, you've got eyebrows!



And that was it. I could have wept! Next day I explained how upset I had felt at his lack of enthusiasm, and told him what our darling son had said, and the poor guy burst into tears! I have to remember, I guess, that he is overwhelmed by this whole thing too!



Since then he keeps telling me I am gorgeous/beautiful etc, but I now don't know if he's just saying that because he thinks he should .... rather feels like he is over-egging the pudding! Poor guy, he can never quite get it right, but I know he loves me to bits!

My wife's PS said to me after her exchange surgery, as I waited for her to come out of post-op recovery:





"She did GREAT. Everything looks wonderful. She is happy."

"WE, your wife and I, are going to be fine and live long healthy lives!  (and both lucky to have strong, supportive husbands)."

My wife's BS to me after she removed my wife's chemo port:



"She's so great. She's doing really, REALLY well. It must feel good to be finished. Now go out and celebrate".

My favorite thing anyone has said to me wasn't mushy or inspiring, although I've had plenty of supportive comments, the best and most memorable was the PS at my consult as I was trying to explain that I wasn't really attached to my breasts because I've never liked them anyway. He cut me off and said "well they are trying to kill you". Fair point well made doc!

"It will get better, I promise!!!!"



Sometimes, the simple gesture of HOPE is what we need.



Sometimes I need a good shaking to remind me of the hope that exists.



If anyone wants to give 'ol Colt some hope, feel free!



Bless you all.

@Ariom: Thanks. You're a kind soul. Bless you.



I know the hope exists. I KNOW IT.



My wife is 8.5 months from diagnosis. She looks wonderful. She is so damned tough. What a tough lady. So beautiful to me.



I want to grow old with her, enjoying our 2 girls growing and loving life together.



Prayers to everyone here.

I had just married my high school sweetheart after being apart & living totally different lives for 30+ years in Oct 2012. Was diagnosed  Dec 2012 with this cancer. Chose to have a double mastectomy. When we finally took the bandages off at home, I was so afraid of what he would think or say, as I was feeling so unattractive and just "raw". I didn't want to look, but he got all the wrapping off, and said, wow, it looks so much better than I thought it would. There is no infection, lots of skin left over for your future reconstruction. I started crying and he asked me why. I told him that if I didn't love him before, I loved him so much more right then. He has been so supportive and just keeps telling me he waited 32 years for me to be his wife, I'm not going anywhere. LOL

I am a very lucky person to have a wonderful supportive group of family & friends - I know they love me and I am very fortunate to have them in my life.

The thing that has been so surprising about this whole experience (I guess it shouldn't be) is the overwhelming spontaneous generosity of strangers. It has been quite humbling.

My husband commented on it as well - women get breast cancer & start communicating, sending cards, taking walks, making hats, meals, fundraising in their communities, hugs, encouraging words of kindness - anything.

I am almost at my 1 year mark & this has made me want to pay it forward anyway I can -

From Husband:

We're a team, we'll fight this together.

I'll always love you no matter what you decide.

Are you having a bad day? Need some shoulder time?

"While each of us is an individual, and responds to treatment individually, the survival statistics indicate the vast majority of women with your wife's type of cancer survive - pin your hopes on that."

I was at a party shortly after my diagnosis and was talking with a woman that I've known for years but would identify as an acquaintance. She asked how I was doing and I responded with, "Well, I've got breast cancer". He response was so golden and real. She just looked at me straight in the face and said, "THAT is some bullshit!". Yep, it sure is! It made me laugh in the moment and I appreciated the realness of the response - no platitudes, no cliches. She just called it like she saw it and she is right - it is some bullshit!