Where Cancer Took Me, Especially the Recurrence

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Different Ballgame
Different Ballgame Member Posts: 868
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
When I got cancer the first time, being the detailed person that I am, I kept a cancer bag of information on cancer. When I got the recurrence 3 years later, I searched for more information, found this site, and found live breast cancer support groups.

The women on this site have given me a fountain of information through their postings. In turn, I have taken some of that information and have posted it on my doctor's website, Dr. Neil Fine's physician assistant, Michelle Grim asked me to help her with information known as Additional Resources that is posted on their site (go to Northwestern Plastic Surgery Associates - then FAQ which is Frequently Asked Questions and scroll all the way down till you reach Additional Resources). This information is also printed and given to the women who have breast cancer that come to their office. In addition to Additional Resources, I am being featured as a Blogger on their website. Check their Facebook and you will find my first official posting. You will recognize me by my photo. I will be writing for them with the aim of helping women who have breast cancer. I want to share information in another way that hopefully will help a sister.

If I had not gotten the recurrence, I would have never been on this site, never been a member of a breast support group, and never would have gathered the tons of additional information that can help one of our sisters. Breast cancer is a sisterhood. And for those men who have breast cancer who are on this site, I hope your masculinity is not affected by being affectionately known as "a sister" and I hope that we have helped you with knowledge and support.

Lots of Hugs to My Sisters,
Janelle

Comments

  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
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    Beautifully said,
    Beautifully said, Janelle.
    Good work!
    Hugs,
    Wanda
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
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    Beautifully said,
    Beautifully said, Janelle.
    Good work!
    Hugs,
    Wanda

    Janelle
    I have been missing you here, but I should known better that you are up to something. Congratulation! I am so proud of you. Thank you for sharing this with us. That what I always wanted to do, help doctors and patients having better care and more successfully fight this awful disease.
    Hugs,
    New Flower
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
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    Read your blog on FB-very informative. You go girl!
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
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    natly15 said:

    Read your blog on FB-very informative. You go girl!

    Excellent so proud to have
    Excellent so proud to have you represent all of us! You are so generous with your time, love and insight.
  • Miss Murphy
    Miss Murphy Member Posts: 302
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    Awesome!
    Janelle, what you are doing is so great and it's wonderful that your doctors have info that can be given to bc patients. I felt like I was lost in the woods at the time of my dx and didn't even find this wonderful site till a year later. The only thing I was given was a huge tote bag with a pink ribbon with breast cancer on it filled with pink note pads, bag clips, etc. I had to carry it out of the hospital after my pre-admission work-up. I felt like I had been given a scarlet letter on my forhead! Too bad info like what you're doing wasn't in the tote bag - it would have been WAY helpful.

    Keep up the good work. Hugs, Sally
  • mom62
    mom62 Member Posts: 604 Member
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    )our the best
    Janelle, I too have had a recurrence and still have bone mets. I always find it amazing the difference between the first and second cancer in the info, the way people treat you and the way you cope. I think it's wonderful when people use their experience to better other peoples lives. I just don't have that gene. You are a fabulose lady! Terry