My "C" story being published....
Comments
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Thanks for telling your story. Apparently a generation or so ago women did not talk about having cancer. It made the problem go away, at least for those folks that didn't have the problem. The more we talk about it, the more we explore the challenges this disease brings and make the way of future survivors a little easier. I went to a seminar about two years ago where a woman in my community spoke up about the embarassment of going out in public after having a bilateral mastectomy. She had invented a pillow to pin in her bra so that she wouldn't look so flat. She had never heard of a prosthesis. Her doctors and nurses never had said anything to her. She didn't know how else to deal with the situation. I was totally stunned. No one said anything so she was stuck reinventing the wheel--or in this case a prosthesis. We need to share our stories more, not less. Thanks again for sharing yours in your community. You will never know whom it will touch.0
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Hi Kitty:
You are so right, we would need more than 800 words to even begin to cover our feelings never mind explaining diagnosis and treatments to anyone. I am glad you had the opportunity to tell your story. It so important for women to be aware that cancer can touch your life and that no one is immune to this dreaded disease. I got breast cancer and have no family history of it and here I am a survivor also. Hopefully your story touched a lot of women in need. Hugs, Lili0 -
Hi Kitty,
Congratulations! I think this is wonderful.
Please don't be so hard on yourself. Rather than asking, "Why me?" ask "Why NOT me?" Your story is just as relevant as anyone else's. Maybe you don't win the Sickest Woman in the World award, but what does it matter? And personally, I think it's important to let everyone know that not all of us are out here dying. We have many faces, and I'm sure you did us proud!
No, you can't wrap this experience into a tidy 800-word package and deliver it with a bow on top. And I don't think any real profound experience can be summed up that way. Consider it a snapshot. Thank you for stepping up for yourself and the rest of us.
Love,
Kim0 -
First of all, CONGRATS on your '15 minutes of fame'!!!!
I, too, have been blessed by being asked to tell my story different places...and I found the advice of one newspaper reporter (who, BTW, did a FANTASTIC write-up from the interview) was the best I could get...
Write a story that you would like to read, being a breast cancer warrior. Not all sweetness and light, but not all dark, either"
I took her advice, and just briefly spoke to my 'dark and scary corner'. She included that, as well. I had 3 columns...so mine was a bit easier than your task of 800 words...
We cancer survivors are inspirations. To both those who are fighting the fight, and to those never touched. I'm very certain that your article is great...please share the link, if it goes electronic...
Hugs, Kathi0 -
I think its great that you have an opportunity to share your story with other women;survivors and those who might be future survivors. Hearing and reading about survivors' stories is one of the things that helped me emotionally when I was diagnosed and going through treatment. BUT, I think that co-worker that told you that you were not bad off enough to be chosen for the article is an enormous idiot. No matter what the size of the tumor or how extensive your surgery, having cancer is devastating to say the very least. She needs to PRAY that she never has the misfortune to hear the words "you have cancer". You ignore her ignorant remark and hold your head high. Take care, Eileen0
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I too, along with another CSN member (OhioGirl) had the honor of being interviewed by a sister publication of Prevention Magazine. Of course no publication can do us all the justice we deserve, no matter how loving, kind and thorough it is! Which this magazine was, by the way!
I didn't have to come up with what to say, thankfully: I was asked 'How did you feel when...", "Where did you find support", etc etc. I rambled on as usual, and left it to the editor to put the words in a semblance of order and importance.
As far as the secrecy of cancer~ it wasn't really too too long ago that expectant fathers were left in the waiting room while their wives were givng birth!
We are so proud of you, for whatever reason you were chosen to represent the survivors!!!! Whooo-hoooo!!!
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
Thank you for representing me and us. I need to read articles from people such as myself. I never question whether their story is better or worse than mine. The point is they are living and sharing their experience to help me.
Sounds like maybe your co-workers God is jealousy. Jealous because of your magazine article and not hers. That's just my opinion though.
Love and hugs, lorie0 -
Kitty - I agree wholeheartedly with others - why NOT you?!?! One of the most wonderful things I found after my surgery was finding other women who were long term survivors. the statistics meant nothing to me, but knowing those women were out there meant so much. And how wonderful that we can now talk about cancer, without the horrible stigma attached to it not that long ago. Not that long ago people could be fired from jobs, would be shunned by friends and family. How lonely patients must have felt at that time - to have a devastating disease AND have to go it alone. You'll touch people with your story - you'll never know them, but you will touch them.
Stacey0 -
Bunches of thanks to everyone for their encouraging words - You are right - Why not me? Why not my story? Everyone's message about their experience with cancer no matter what will touch people I'm sure -I am a survivor and I have no problem telling people that, especially if it gives other people even a shred of hope because in the end that is what gets us through - along with the support like the people here. Thanks again, Kitty0
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Hi Kitty,Kitty3571 said:Bunches of thanks to everyone for their encouraging words - You are right - Why not me? Why not my story? Everyone's message about their experience with cancer no matter what will touch people I'm sure -I am a survivor and I have no problem telling people that, especially if it gives other people even a shred of hope because in the end that is what gets us through - along with the support like the people here. Thanks again, Kitty
You go girl! I've sometimes felt there is a reason I've gotten this. I think you've found your reason---teach, teach, teach. And what better way than someone who has been there and done that. I agree with the others, you probably will never know how many people you've helped, but I would bet my prosthesis that at least one newly diagnosed woman will see it and realize it's just a bump in the road, not the end of it!
We'd all love to read the article if it's on line,keep us posted.
Hugs,
Jan0 -
Thanks again to everyone - I do feel better about it - I will post online info on the "short" story when they give me the info. I'm sure it will be able to be read online. I keep going over things in my mind that should have been added or said differently. There was so much left out. I could write a book as most of us here would be able to I'm sure. Thanks again! Kitty0
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