Cancer Survivors Network

I have a 22 and 17 y.o. girls...i'm just glad they were not with me. They would have says lots of bad words and maybe jump the lady...

i know what you mean...family members can be as bad sometimes....
one of my brother one day rang the door bell, it was one of my bad days
while going thru chemo and he asked me when i open the door "are you sick"?.
no joke....

My sister came by to visit me last week - (I was on house lock down due to low white blood cell count), she came out and said .. Oh, you don't look too bad .. Let me see you bald head .. I said .. Excuse me .. In other words, she didn't come by to actually visit me, but to see the ill side efforts of my chemo treatments ..

Go figure ..

VickiSam

Ladies you are the best...thank you so much for making me feel so beautiful....
my hair is the lease of my worries but it just makes me mad when stupid people make stupid comments....
I know my hair will grow. I just want part of my normal life back....
2 more wks of rads, then will start tamoxifen for 5 yrs...
Thanks again for all your support...

We are always here for support Taina! Soon you will be done with rads! Celebrate!

Debby

When I finally got enough nerve to be in public with my almost bald head, I had my comeback comment ready. I told anyone who had a stupid comment that this was my new 'rad' look, and that all I need is a nose ring and a some leather chaps Some and I'll be ready for my Harley. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense.

The very minute my hair started to come out I called a friend and told her to get her clippers out that I was on my way over to have her shave it all off. I was in control by golly! After she shaved my head I put on little denim bucket hat I'd ordered from tlc and my friend an I went to the mall to "celebrate." I was in control. The whole time I was hairless ... I never had a problem with it ...

UNTIL ...

I was flying to Connecticut to visit my son and his family and was going through airport security. I'd taken the shoes off ... put my carry on stuff on the conveyor belt etc ... then got ready to walk through the metal detector thing and the security guard on the other side told me to take my hat off. I almost broke down ... on the spot! I looked in straight in the eyes (only mine were full of tears) and said "I'm bald!" ... and then he very hesitantly said "OK" and motioned me through. No emotion from him whatsoever. It would have been so nice if he'd just said "I'm sorry" ... or given me an understanding smile ... or something. But he was like a robot and I was nothing to him. Some people just don't get it.

hugs.
teena

I had forgotten that particular (potential) humiliation. They did make me take mine off. But I guess the fact I forgot it so quickly means I got over it. I would have preferred to decide for myself when I was ready to go public with my bald head.

Hugs,

Fran

What a dweeb. People who have never had cancer just don't understand. They can't possibly understand if they haven't walked in our shoes.

For the record, I wish I didn't understand cancer, and I don't like how these shoes fit!LOL Can I take them back and exchange them for say...Dorothy's Red sparkly ones????? Guess not, huh??? Sometimes I wonder how many ignorant things I said to ppl before I was ungraciously visited by the BC Beast! I hope not too many.....

Hugs,
Chen♥

Taina,
you look great, maybe when stupid people say stupid things we should reply with something like "oh thanks, when's your baby due?
Almost through that's wonderful, are you part of a support group, other then this one?
Keri

I always try to give people the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully, she seriously was just giving you a very sincere compliment. Our nerves and tempers are on high alert usually with bc, so, we might jump to a conclusion other than what was meant. And, you are beautiful with or without hair. And, I truly mean that!

Sue :)

My neighbor said to me yesterday..."What are you on chemo or something?"
URGHH
I appreciate this post..at work I have had patients ask me if I decided to become a biker or say that I look like a pirate :-S
Lisa

I have been through the gambit of stupid things people say. I had BC 15 years ago also. I did not lose my hair then but have now. Its funny in a certain store where people used to drive me crazy with can I help you , I noticed their hesitation. Until one clerk came to me, and I am very open, I have lost weight need clothes etc.. i try to make it so they dont have to do the "opener" But as for the wall mart thing I would like you have gone and done my business without that. One of the worst things was an insurance person called me to follow up, said she used to be a hospice nurse (knowing I was a nurse) but gave it up. proceded to tell me a story about a friend with breast cancer, anyway I thought it would be inspirational, only the punchline was how she died!!!! I really hope those calls are recorded. I really wish i had the energy to blast her or correct people but I just do the old "turn off" in my head. Not worth it.
I do not have the courage for bald in public yet. mostly wear my scarves.
Good story My husband who drives very carefully was driving a little too fast and got pulled over. I was in pain and he was trying to get me home. We told the policeman he flashed his light at me and with the caution said some things are a little more important, (me) and let us go.

he also held back traffic so we could get out.

carkris,

That policeman sounds like someone who wouldn't make the "stupid things people say/do" when we have cancer list.

It's nice to know he is out there.