OVC-Q & A

Radioactive34

I am going to Danish language classes. I had to write and present a one minute intro in Danish. When it came time to present it...the Danish language was really hard and almost beyond me. The gist was my name. That I'd had cancer, which is why my hair looked strange. Also, that if I lived in Denmark long enough, I would open my own Taqueria.

The instructor helped me relay as much as possible. I really thought nothing of it. It was short and did not convey much. But the next day at our break...I sat with the other students, and found myself in the middle of a Q & A session about OVC. It was an intense 20 minutes. It was both sexes asking upfront and personal questions.

It was all nationalities and I was very surprised by how information hungry they were. Also some were concerned they may have symptoms of OVC......for some it ran in families. It was an interesting experience. I did not expect to have that reaction. I kind of expected a "Oh how sorry we are..and see ya later."

I have had all the financial hardships that cancer brings. I had to sell my vehicle and my family held a fundraiser to help me with the incoming bills, but I was able to access fairly good care. One way or another I have access to care or will find a way.

Some of these class mates were happy to be able to afford an exam every 5 years. Accessing care in their native countries and the EU was difficult, if not out of reach. I felt very humbled by it.

After class my instructor thanked me for my presentation. I was kind of open mouthed at that. She said it was not something normally done. It was highly appreciated. Her sister has cancer too, so she found a common ground with my one minute speech.

It was an awesome experience...I was just wanting to explain my strange looking hair.

mopar

WHAT A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY
We often wonder why we go through such difficult things in this life. Long ago, I realized a big part of the answer is so that we can be a 'light' to others. Your brief but inspiring testimony has now planted a valuable seed that you probably never expected. Even if there will be ONE helped through this important information, there has been purpose in your presence with the group and your experiences. Certainly I'm not implying you should be 'thankful' you've been going through all of this, but definintely thankful that through it, someone else may be spared. I mean, this isn't even a support groupt - it's a language class. What an opportunity you have had.

I know your pain, your worries, the burden you have been given. But please take heart in knowing that you've touched the lives of many in just a few short moments, something not all of us can say.

Lots of Hugs and Prayers!

Monika

Mwee

Way to go!
We all know how hard it is to put ourselves out there in way less stessful situations. I'm so proud of you and hope this brings you some new friends.
(((HUGS))) Maria

kikz

Mwee said:

Way to go!
We all know how hard it is to put ourselves out there in way less stessful situations. I'm so proud of you and hope this brings you some new friends.
(((HUGS))) Maria

I've had similar
experiences. I spoke at my yoga class and was asked many questions. I also gave a teal toes card to a clerk at my HMO. After I sat down she called out to me and asked me a lot of questions. Same thing happended at the nail salon. I haven't been sharing as much as time goes by but I need to. I carry the cards with me but don't always feel like talking about cancer.

I love the idea of a taqueria in Denmark. Talk about culture shock.

Karen

carolenk

kikz said:

I've had similar
experiences. I spoke at my yoga class and was asked many questions. I also gave a teal toes card to a clerk at my HMO. After I sat down she called out to me and asked me a lot of questions. Same thing happended at the nail salon. I haven't been sharing as much as time goes by but I need to. I carry the cards with me but don't always feel like talking about cancer.

I love the idea of a taqueria in Denmark. Talk about culture shock.

Karen

Wow! I'm really impressed by
Wow! I'm really impressed by your story, Radioactive! How did you communicate with the other students? In English? And is your hair curly?

Radioactive34

carolenk said:

Wow! I'm really impressed by
Wow! I'm really impressed by your story, Radioactive! How did you communicate with the other students? In English? And is your hair curly?

Enlish is the dominant
Enlish is the dominant language in the classes. It seems to be the common ground for the international. My hair is something. It is growing out and seems to have a curl or wave. It is too short to tell which way it is going. If it curls that will be a trip for me. I have always had straight hair.

The language classes are going.......my thought processes are so much slower but either way I will learn the language. I can read it pretty decently. Writing it is not far behind. Though speaking it...Lol, each time I open my mouth I see my instuctors flinch.