Supportive things people have done/let's post

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jennN
jennN Member Posts: 40
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi,

I just read all of the ridiculous things friends and family have said about breast cancer. I have heard a number of these comments too. Since I've been feeling really down, I thought it might be helpful to hear some of the thoughtful things people have done.

One ofthe most helpful things a friend did was show up on a Sunday night (7p.m.) when my 11 year-old daughter told me she had a book report and poster due Monday morning. I'd called my friend because I'd just returned (nauseated after my first round of chemo) from Walmart where I thought I purchased everything for the display. Little did I realize that my glue gun was out of glue. WhenI called my friend, she not only brought her glue-gun and glue, she stayed for 2 hours to help us assemble the poster. WOW..........I was so thankful. My daughter has of course learned a big lesson too.

Jen
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  • Sam726
    Sam726 Member Posts: 233
    #2
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    Supportive things
    As some of you know I ride a motorcycle....well there is a club that raises money for fellow bikers that have problems and need financial help. My friend Carolyn and her husband Tim made a request in my behalf and wrote a heart felt letter for me. This could give me between 500-1000 dollars towards medical bills. Truly good friends!! I didnt even ask them..they just did it to be good people.
  • laurissa
    laurissa Member Posts: 773
    #3
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    My sister and niece each
    My sister and niece each brought over soup for two dinners this week. That was a big help. Vegetable beef and cream of broccoli. Loved it. Thanks, you two.
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #4
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    laurissa said:

    My sister and niece each
    My sister and niece each brought over soup for two dinners this week. That was a big help. Vegetable beef and cream of broccoli. Loved it. Thanks, you two.

    A co-worker brought me a
    A co-worker brought me a warm, pink leisure suit to wear to chemo when it gets cooler. My friend brought over a little bag of goodies on Sunday with bouillon cubes, lemon drops, and a little book on Hope. A customer service agent at Costco sent me some pink socks, and a beanie babie, and gave me her pink bracelet. She is a total stranger but truly reached out to me. My realtives in Ohio have sent me homebaked cookies. Gee I'm glad I posted this. Hadnt really given this much thought.
  • chickad52
    chickad52 Member Posts: 497
    #5
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    Supportive thing
    My daughters co-workers had a raffle to raise money for me, to use toward medical bills. I have never met any of these people. Goes to prove there is alot of wonderful people in this world!! Hugs, Diane
  • e_hope
    e_hope Member Posts: 370
    #6
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    When I shaved my head
    When I shaved my head because I was losing my hair.. My sister shaved her's too ( and she had hair to her mid back)...

    All my girl friends took turns going a sitting with me at chemo.. to give me a break from my hubby..

    All the support I got from friends who helped with my small children for dr. appts, chemo, and the weeks after my mastectomy

    My sister and 2 best girl friends did a little fund raiser to help raise a little money for expenses..

    The meals that were cooked for my family after my double mastectomy

    and All my co-workers collected money to help with expenses..



    You learn who your true friends are....
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #7
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    I like this post!
    My mom came down all the way from Oregon to stay with me for the first week after my surgery so that my hubby wouldn't have to do everything himself. She also cooked an entire turkey dinner for him for his birthday, which was 2 days after my surgery. And most importantly she not only prayed for me herself, but put me on so many prayer lists that I had people in Norway, England, Canada, and all over the U. S. praying for me and sending me messages.

    I also received from my coworkers, not 1, not 2, not 3, not even 4 or 5, but no less than 6 arrangements of flowers/fruits/plants (4 from individuals, and 2 from groups of employees), and I was only off of work for 2 weeks!

    I also had a cousin insist on picking my mom up from the airport the night before my surgery so that hubby and I could get to bed early.

    And at this point I've only had to undergo the lumpectomy. I've been very touched by the kindess of all my friends and family.

    Thanks everyone for sharing their positive experiences as well.
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #8
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    cindycflynn said:

    I like this post!
    My mom came down all the way from Oregon to stay with me for the first week after my surgery so that my hubby wouldn't have to do everything himself. She also cooked an entire turkey dinner for him for his birthday, which was 2 days after my surgery. And most importantly she not only prayed for me herself, but put me on so many prayer lists that I had people in Norway, England, Canada, and all over the U. S. praying for me and sending me messages.

    I also received from my coworkers, not 1, not 2, not 3, not even 4 or 5, but no less than 6 arrangements of flowers/fruits/plants (4 from individuals, and 2 from groups of employees), and I was only off of work for 2 weeks!

    I also had a cousin insist on picking my mom up from the airport the night before my surgery so that hubby and I could get to bed early.

    And at this point I've only had to undergo the lumpectomy. I've been very touched by the kindess of all my friends and family.

    Thanks everyone for sharing their positive experiences as well.

    Support
    I and my son Jake received support from the two kindergarten classes last year with gift certificates to different local restaurants, gas cards, VISA cards and a spa gift certificate for myself. Lots of prayers and other support.

    Sister and mother there day of surgery.

    My son to help with household chores during recovery.

    Margo
  • redriverartist
    redriverartist Member Posts: 54
    #9
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    A friend brought me some
    A friend brought me some tapioca pudding during an ice storm. I had a wonderful employer who said, 'come in when you feel like and when you don't, don't worry about it.' My neighbor brought me a chocolate cake that my dog got to before I did. (dog was fine but I was upset). LOL!
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #10
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    redriverartist said:

    A friend brought me some
    A friend brought me some tapioca pudding during an ice storm. I had a wonderful employer who said, 'come in when you feel like and when you don't, don't worry about it.' My neighbor brought me a chocolate cake that my dog got to before I did. (dog was fine but I was upset). LOL!

    My dental office, when they
    My dental office, when they learned what I had cancer, sent me flowers. I was totally taken by surprise and it lifted me up on a day when I was really down. It is amazing what a lift just the little things can do.
    Stef
  • patti anne
    patti anne Member Posts: 101
    #11
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    fauxma said:

    My dental office, when they
    My dental office, when they learned what I had cancer, sent me flowers. I was totally taken by surprise and it lifted me up on a day when I was really down. It is amazing what a lift just the little things can do.
    Stef

    fun remembering
    My husband is in the military, so we don't live by family. I thought it would make things so much more difficult. I found out that I had wonderful friends here!

    When I had my mastectomy, my sisters and brothers sent me a wonderful care package which included pj's, slippers, robe and other treats.

    During chemo, my girls' basketball team organized dinners. Each family would bring over a meal the day of chemo (or sometimes the day after). Other friends brought food as well. We had SO much food in the house at times. Also during chemo, one of my sisters came for one session and then 3 of my good friends flew in for another. My sisters also came out for a surprise visit. It was so great.
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537
    #12
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    Hi Jen
    This is a great post!!!

    I received probably 50 to 75 cards from friends I never even knew I had. When I had my double mastectomy, one coworker brought me a basket with a soft pink blanket, a chick flick, a relaxation tape, chocolate, a book, and I cant remember what else. I received these tiny 2x2 cards with cute religious inspirational sayings on them from my 24 year old niece in florida. Those are just a few...

    But the most memorable thing was this: I was going thru my last adriamycin/cytoxan treatment and I felt awful one sunday night. My 19 year old sons friend Mike, still in high school I might add came over. I was bald and I said, Mike Im bald, took my hat off and he said Wow...but you still look good...I looked awful but I will never forget that as long as I live....what a great liar but what a great kid!!

    Thanks for the post. Its a great reminder of just how loved we all are

    Hugs
    Linda t
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #13
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    Thank you so much for
    Thank you so much for starting this post. The dad of one of my students had brain surgery this morning. He has brain cancer, probably glial blastoma (like Ted Kennedy). I am now inspired to start a fund raiser in our district to help them (but I don't want to embarass them). Any suggestions?
  • BunnyJane
    BunnyJane Member Posts: 213
    #14
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    lynn1950 said:

    Thank you so much for
    Thank you so much for starting this post. The dad of one of my students had brain surgery this morning. He has brain cancer, probably glial blastoma (like Ted Kennedy). I am now inspired to start a fund raiser in our district to help them (but I don't want to embarass them). Any suggestions?

    Good Idea
    This post was a good idea! I received several gifts from friends and family, but one gift that really made me feel cared for was a T-shirt that my cousin made and sent to me. My family lives 8 hours from here, so this was especially special. She had everyone in the family dip their hand in paint and put their handprint on an oversized T-shirt. On the sleeve she printed the words "Healing Hands". Of course I cried when I opened up the T-shirt. I wore the shirt to my chemos and received all kinds of compliments. Jane
  • always
    always Member Posts: 256
    #15
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    BunnyJane said:

    Good Idea
    This post was a good idea! I received several gifts from friends and family, but one gift that really made me feel cared for was a T-shirt that my cousin made and sent to me. My family lives 8 hours from here, so this was especially special. She had everyone in the family dip their hand in paint and put their handprint on an oversized T-shirt. On the sleeve she printed the words "Healing Hands". Of course I cried when I opened up the T-shirt. I wore the shirt to my chemos and received all kinds of compliments. Jane

    Now you made me cry
    I have been blessed with cards and a beautiful angel bracelet from a coworker. Because I am out of my office for a few days due to first chemo I have received emails from different people every few hours. Cheerleading, prayer passing, warm fuzzy emails. My kids and husband have been great! The one thing that touched my heart the very most was that I cut my hair very short...trying to prepare for the loss coming. We stopped by my daughters and she carried out my two and a half year old to say hi. He looked at my head, ran his hand over it put his cute little face by mine and said "grandma you are beautiful" I needed that.
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #16
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    One of my dear friends who
    One of my dear friends who is also a bc survivor gave me a very special gift. It is a Swarovski crystal breast cancer pin that she herself wore to every one of her treatments. She is a 5-year survivor. She told me she was gifting me with the pin to get me through my treatments as it had gotten her through hers. Then I, too, should pass it on to someone in need that is fighting this disease. I cried when I opened it and have worn it to all my chemo treatments and plan to wear it to my radiation treatments as well. I know I can't actually have it on while getting the radiation but it will most definately be in the building with me. It's my "good luck" piece.
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #17
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    Great thread!
    I love all these stories. Let's see: one of my friends sent me a really soft cashmere blanket to cuddle on the couch with during the winter months last year when I was going through chemo. Another came with me to a chemo session (while 6 months pregnant) and brought a basket of goodies --cookies, nuts, chocolate, lotions, teas. Two of my best friends sent me a $250 American Express pre-paid credit card so that I could have a spa day. These friends also continued calling and emailing even when I didn't respond. They just didn't give up.

    Mimi
  • elm3544
    elm3544 Member Posts: 748
    #18
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    My co workers raised money
    My co workers raised money for me to buy a wig or head coverings.
    My husband shaved his head.
    I received many cards, some from people I did not know.
    I received a hand made quilt from my friend's quilting group and a hand made blanket.
    My friend's co worker made my friend and me matching beaded watches. I have never met this woman!
    My sister in law sent me home made oatmeal raisin cookies
    A co worker left Bath and Body Works gifts and candles on my desk with a sweet note.
    A friend at work gave me an inspirational picture frame and told me to place in it a photo of
    myself with the people who matter most to me as a reminder of what I am fighting for
    My friend gave me pretty picture frames-one with a photo of us in front of the Eiffel Tower and
    one of my baby grandson kissing me
    This list goes on...Thank you, Jen for the reminder. There are so many caring people out there. I have gained unexpected friendships.
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #19
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    FRIENDS.......
    I know that without a doubt the most special thing anyone did for me came from my friend of 25 years.....She is 51 and is fighing the worst form of brain cancer there is........Glioblastoma Multiforme stage IV........for the past year.......The two days that I was scheduled for my CT and bone scans, my husband was unable to go with me.......She knew this and both times when I showed up for the tests, there she sat in the waiting room...both times with a basket full of goodies for us to share when the tests were completed... When I registered surprise the first time, she said..........'You've been there every step of the way for me.....no way was I going to let you go through these tests alone...." That is a true friend......!!!!!!

    I would ask, that if you feel it in your heart, please say a prayer for my most special friend...I can't imagine this world without her...
    Thank you,
    Nancy
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #20
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    MyTurnNow said:

    One of my dear friends who
    One of my dear friends who is also a bc survivor gave me a very special gift. It is a Swarovski crystal breast cancer pin that she herself wore to every one of her treatments. She is a 5-year survivor. She told me she was gifting me with the pin to get me through my treatments as it had gotten her through hers. Then I, too, should pass it on to someone in need that is fighting this disease. I cried when I opened it and have worn it to all my chemo treatments and plan to wear it to my radiation treatments as well. I know I can't actually have it on while getting the radiation but it will most definately be in the building with me. It's my "good luck" piece.

    MY TURN.......
    I think you CAN wear your angel pin during rads....I wore earrings, watch, bracelet....I just had a gown on over my pants......didn'have to undress from the waist down...but your place may have different "rules" Pin it to your pants!
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #21
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    MAJW said:

    FRIENDS.......
    I know that without a doubt the most special thing anyone did for me came from my friend of 25 years.....She is 51 and is fighing the worst form of brain cancer there is........Glioblastoma Multiforme stage IV........for the past year.......The two days that I was scheduled for my CT and bone scans, my husband was unable to go with me.......She knew this and both times when I showed up for the tests, there she sat in the waiting room...both times with a basket full of goodies for us to share when the tests were completed... When I registered surprise the first time, she said..........'You've been there every step of the way for me.....no way was I going to let you go through these tests alone...." That is a true friend......!!!!!!

    I would ask, that if you feel it in your heart, please say a prayer for my most special friend...I can't imagine this world without her...
    Thank you,
    Nancy

    I got so many cards that I
    I got so many cards that I have no idea how many. I would guess hundreds! And, I still get them which is so nice. Like a little surprise every now and then.

    I had so many friends and family that brought out entire meals for months. I never had to even think of cooking, nor hubby. ( whew )

    They would bring out gifts, not big always, but, maybe just a movie, a candle, a single flower, magazine, just something.

    Prayers, I think I was and still am on every prayer list in the county and some of the surrounding ones.

    People amaze me, how kind they are!

    So many more things were done for me that it would take forever to write them down.

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