Sundance as Guest Speaker at Cancer Seminar TODAY - UTSW Hospital

Sundanceh
Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Good afternoon, Everybody!

I had a wonderful story to share with you all today – it caught me by surprise!

The social worker down at the new hospital I’m going to sent me an email and asked me if I could come down to their support group today and speak to their group about my feelings and experiences with Cancer.

The class was titled “Communicating Concerns and Feelings.”

This one was right up my alley :)

Let me take a step back…..

A month ago, I was at the hospital doing labwork and getting a port flush and meeting with the new onc.

I happened to pass by Infusion and was looking into their rooms there – they were amazing – private suites with comfortable chairs for the patient and room for family or friends to be with you privately. They had flat panel TVs with DVDs, a sink and so on – it was so neat (my previous infusion lab was a dump quite frankly)…this place was very nice and comfortable. In the kitchen they had drinks and snacks and such, 1st class all the way.

Anyway, the social worker spoke to me (Angela) and I told her I was just checking it out. We began talking and I began telling her about my cancer and such, so she decided to give me a tour of the place. While we were talking, I told her about how I found the board and was talking to people around the world trying to help in any way that I could. I told her my favorite tag line: “The Cancer does not define us, but how we live and fight with Cancer DOES define us.” That one hit home and her eyes welled up and she asked me if I had ever thought of speaking in person to a cancer support group before – would I be interested.

Well, I sent her an email last week, but she was out of the office and I did not hear from her. Then this morning – Whammo! – she emailed me and asked if I could come out today and speak with the group they had today.

There was the main speaker, a psychologist, and the social worker and about 6 cancer patients and one who had a caregiver with her…so it was a nice group of people.

I overcame my shyness and tried to contribute some meaningful dialogue about what we talk about here in Our World everyday.

I spoke about my 2 main themes:

1. The Mind Has to be Right – to Fight!
2. Cancer does not define us, but how we live and fight with Cancer DOES define us.

We also talked about DEPRESSION and the role it has in our individual battles. We also talked about ANXIETY. And we talked about the difficult role of being a CAREGIVER. And we talked about ANGER and its underlying causes.

It was a beautiful experience and I was able to reach out and touch some people in person and hopefully something I said just might help them in their battles. The more I talked, people seemed to loosen up and the forum opened up and the conversation flowed.

I did not get much notice, so I was a few minutes late – and you know me I came crashing through the door "literally" like a bull in a china closet. They stopped the meeting and I introduced myself and told them that I had been invited to come down and sit and talk with them today. It was certainly different seeing and speaking to people in person vs the board. I'm normally shy, right? But after I get warmed up, I can really rock & roll. The nice thing was that when I talked, the people actually listened to me…it was very gratifying and satisfying.

I was thinking about each one of us when I was speaking and tried to CHANNEL the board’s energy into what I was saying. All of you were riding right along with me on this one too.

I told them about the Cancer Survivor’s Network and encouraged the people to visit the various boards that related to their cancer – and that there were many wonderful people all spread out on the board that would help them in the journey. I mentioned the CareGiver section to a gentlemen caregiver and told him to look there for support.

Then, just as quickly as it came, the seminar was over and I wished everyone the Best of Luck for their cancer battles and thanked the psychologist and the social worker for having me out for their seminar - it was very nice of them to invite me.

It was a true blessing to me to get the opportunity to be able to do something like this – a first for me – not quite as big as Leslie’s radio show was – but it was a good 1st step.

So, I feel good that I made the effort to try and make a difference in somebody’s life and that I was sincere in my endeavor. That’s all that any of us can ask to do of ourselves, isn’t it?

Well, I just wanted to share that with you today :)

Again, very nice to be able to speak with each of you again today.

Over and out!
-Craig
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Comments

  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    Way to Go!!!
    Great job Craig!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    I'm so proud!!!!
    What a great thing!! And such a wonderful opportunity to SHOW people that cancer is NOT a death sentence!!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    Awesome
    That's wonderful Craig. You have a great ability to communicate and I'm so glad you are able to share it. I know it blesses you when you bless others. I will write more later, I have an appt. Just wanted to touch base with youbefore I leave.

    God Bless You,

    Debbie (gramma)
  • lesvanb
    lesvanb Member Posts: 905
    Awesome Craig!
    and I think what you did and will be doing is in the same ball park. i think for all of us working as a team there is no bigger or smaller. We're just getting the job done and some of us are better pitchers or shortstops or outfielders...well you get my drift.

    I took the following from a reply to you from the post I had about the radio show;
    "Glad you're spirit is renewed, and you are breaking news every day for me."

    Smiles, Leslie

    PS As a ham radio operator, I'll pass this along to you. Over and Out means you're moving to another frequency or turning off the radio. However, I think you're always connected so "Back to you" might be the more accurate signature.
  • Muzzy
    Muzzy Member Posts: 175 Member
    super
    way too go !!!!!!!!
  • shrevebud
    shrevebud Member Posts: 105
    Speaking
    Hey Craig - way to go. You rock man! I know this is going to be a great experience for you and for the people in the group. You have so much to share. Thanks too for replying to me when I've had questions, etc. I appreciate you. Have a good evening. Take care. Roy
  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    Yeah Craig!!
    CHANNELLING the energy of the semicolon's! How cool is that!
    You Rock Craig! I am inspired and encouraged by your ethusiasm.

    Rob; in Vancouver

    "There are people whose presence is encouraging. One of the most beautiful gifts in the world is the gift of encouragement. When someone encourages you, that person helps you over a threshold you might otherwise never have crossed on your own.
    John O'Donohue
  • Devasted
    Devasted Member Posts: 185
    robinvan said:

    Yeah Craig!!
    CHANNELLING the energy of the semicolon's! How cool is that!
    You Rock Craig! I am inspired and encouraged by your ethusiasm.

    Rob; in Vancouver

    "There are people whose presence is encouraging. One of the most beautiful gifts in the world is the gift of encouragement. When someone encourages you, that person helps you over a threshold you might otherwise never have crossed on your own.
    John O'Donohue

    Great!
    Craig,

    I'm sure you uplifted lots of folks today. What a great idea..
    Always enjoy reading your posts!

    Take care
  • mommyof2kds
    mommyof2kds Member Posts: 519
    You are one amazing
    You are one amazing person....
  • ittapp
    ittapp Member Posts: 383 Member
    Great job Craig, it does not
    Great job Craig, it does not surprise me that you would be a great speaker. Your an inspiration to people. Thanks for all of your words of encouragement to all of us! God Bless, Patti (can't imagine that you are shy) :)
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Proud
    That's fabulous, Craig. It sounds like you did a wonderful job. I'm so proud of you, and so grateful that you would take the time to help the others who are suffering. What a wonderful ministry.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • Mike49
    Mike49 Member Posts: 261
    Good job Craig
    I am proud be your friend.
  • serrana
    serrana Member Posts: 163 Member
    Mike49 said:

    Good job Craig
    I am proud be your friend.

    bravo craig
    Wow, thanks for sharing the content of your talk with us.
    You are so "right on"
    What a blessing to others you are.
    Serrana
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    serrana said:

    bravo craig
    Wow, thanks for sharing the content of your talk with us.
    You are so "right on"
    What a blessing to others you are.
    Serrana

    Way To Go!!!
    yes Craig... that was right up your alley. I sure would have been front and center for that speech. I think you found your calling!!!

    jennie
  • luv3jay
    luv3jay Member Posts: 533 Member
    Well, I must say, I'm proud
    Well, I must say, I'm proud of you. It takes a lot of courage to stand in front of strangers and speak from your heart. But, I also need to say, that it wasn't just today that you've made a difference in the lives of strangers because you made a difference in my life from the first moment we "spoke". Way to go, my friend! Be blessed!

    -sheri
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893
    Thank you, Craig.
    Thank you for sharing that with us, Craig. It made me feel real good to read it. Thank you for taking your time to be with us. "Go forth and be a blessing."

    lizzy
  • Fight for my love
    Fight for my love Member Posts: 1,522 Member
    Hi dear Craig,sorry I am
    Hi dear Craig,sorry I am late here.I am so happy that you made the speech and I wish I was there.I am so pround of you and I am so happy that you got a chance to show your talent.Take care.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Awesome
    What a wonderful opportunity to speak at what you know of. It sounds like you delivered one heck of a speech. Very proud of you.

    Kim
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    THANK YOU All Very Much!!!
    Thank you for all of your posts - I love hearing from you guys :)

    It brightens my day - I don't open too many posts but when I do it's like unwrapping Christmas presents as a child waiting to see what everybody had to say. It really means alot to me to "hear from you."

    You guys and my wife are just about all that I really have...so thanks for being there :)

    I've discovered that the real blessings in life are when you give yourself to others - it enriches the human experience.

    Continued Blessings and Best Wishes for US All...

    -Craig
  • angelsbaby
    angelsbaby Member Posts: 1,165 Member
    Sundanceh said:

    THANK YOU All Very Much!!!
    Thank you for all of your posts - I love hearing from you guys :)

    It brightens my day - I don't open too many posts but when I do it's like unwrapping Christmas presents as a child waiting to see what everybody had to say. It really means alot to me to "hear from you."

    You guys and my wife are just about all that I really have...so thanks for being there :)

    I've discovered that the real blessings in life are when you give yourself to others - it enriches the human experience.

    Continued Blessings and Best Wishes for US All...

    -Craig

    Craig
    I thought to my self if any one could be a speaker it would certanly be you. I am proud of you , you do have a way with words thats for sure.

    michelle