Has something like this ever happen to you?

DebbyM said:

Things like that, I think,

Things like that, I think, happen more often than we know.  When I was going thru rads and was wearing my shirt that said, the sun didn't do it, radiation did, I got some strange looks, but, also a lot of sweet words from others.  Some were survivors and some knew someone that had cancer.  I also had my pink bc bracelet on, so, I guess it might have been obvious to some, if they were looking, that I was in treatment or something to do with bc. 

Your sweet lady could have been a survivor, or, maybe knew someone that was.  BC affects so many, not just those that have it, but, those around us, those that know us and those that have someone in their path along the way that was diagnosed.

I give out lots of smiles to people and hugs!  They are free!

Thanks for sharing this!

 

A big hug to you,

Debby

I was at the mall having lunch by myself wearing a headscarf.  Another survivor walked up, introduced herself, told me she was a 5-year-survivor and hugged me.  She told me how wonderful I looked and how proud of me she was for going through treatment, but also living life.  That made my day.

Hugs, Renee

DebbyM said:

Things like that, I think,

Things like that, I think, happen more often than we know.  When I was going thru rads and was wearing my shirt that said, the sun didn't do it, radiation did, I got some strange looks, but, also a lot of sweet words from others.  Some were survivors and some knew someone that had cancer.  I also had my pink bc bracelet on, so, I guess it might have been obvious to some, if they were looking, that I was in treatment or something to do with bc. 

Your sweet lady could have been a survivor, or, maybe knew someone that was.  BC affects so many, not just those that have it, but, those around us, those that know us and those that have someone in their path along the way that was diagnosed.

I give out lots of smiles to people and hugs!  They are free!

Thanks for sharing this!

 

A big hug to you,

Debby

but not many 'hugs'.  Hugs are very personal to me (and many others).  For one thiing I am not a germaphobe but I don't want stranges who could have "God Knows What" drawing me that close to thier body or their hands on me.  This should be especially respected when seeing a person who appears to be in chemo and/or rads as their immune system is not working as well as it could.

I had a bad experience with a woman I had known for years but hadn't seen in a very long time (Just an acquaintace - never friend).  Saw her in a Convience Store one day.  She ran up and all but tackled me with a huge bear hug and then loudly said "They told me you had a mastectomy but they were wrong - you feel normal!"   Even before that I was not one who blindly enters other personal space.  There are many reasons why many are uncomfortable when entrapped by a stranger (or even friend).

Winyan - The Power Within

Susan 

Added: Even a gentle hug can be horrendously painful/harmful to someone dealing with nerve damage, lymphedema, seroma or unhealed incision.