A Place We Call Our Second Home, Thank you so much

Most of us have a small inner circle people who are loyal and can be counted upon to be there for us once we get diagnosed with cancer. If were fortunate, our inner circle expands to more than our spouse, child, and parents. Once I step outside my door early in the morning to go to work, im amongst colleagues, strangers, acquaintances, and the general public. On the weekends the only thing that changes is that my co-workers are not in my presence.

Since being diagnosed with cancer over 2 and half years ago, I may have been more open about my diagnoses to others beyond the inner circle. Today I think hard and twice about telling anyone about my diagnoses and in fact there are 7 words I do not mention in public or on the phone because of how they are received by others who are not cancer survivors or caregivers. I’m sure you know the body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice of someone who hears the word cancer. First you see their eye lids stop blinking, then they grasp for words but fumble their way to a coherent sentence, and then pivot another direction in a hurried manner. Still others say the right things and appear to care but the next time you hear a "how are you" or see them at your front door is the day after forever. I find myself while in public avoiding 7 words that have the power to scatter people like an outbreak of a deadly flu virus. You ask what those 7 words are?
The first is Cancer, followed by chemotherapy, radiation, malignancy, tumor, metastasis and oncologist.

When I was writing this post to share with others here on CSN, my first thought was to show how cancer can infiltrate our lives, create distance with the world around us and sever the close bonds with those we once called our friends and loved ones. Then without any hesitation, my heart whispered to me in a comforting and reassuring manner. What did my heart say? My heart spoke by holding my hand as he walked beside me with purpose and grace. My heart then took the lead and I followed in his shadows as we walked until we came upon this charming community. This community had this humble but gracious reef of blooming, vibrant flowers as it was held high in the calm blue skies by thousands of supportive hands. Each pair of hands had a human being who softly sung a tune with lyrics that were so touching, I began to cry. At that moment, I realized what my Heart wanted to show me. The name of this community my heart led me to you ask? "CANCER SURVIVORS NETWORK" and all of its caring survivors and caregivers who call it their second home.

You want to know the name of the song and its precious lyrics that brought tears to my eyes? Its called "Somewhere" by Phil Collins

lyrics are below and the song done live is at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqfNi9BqH94

Lyrics
There's a place for us,
Somewhere a place for us.
Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us
Somewhere.

There's a time for us,
Some day a time for us,
Time together with time spare,
Time to learn, time to care,
Some day!

Somewhere.
We'll find a new way of living,
We'll find a way of forgiving
Somewhere . . .

There's a place for us,
A time and place for us.
Hold my hand and we're halfway there.
Hold my hand and I'll take you there
Somehow,
Some day,
Somewhere!


Heart of Soul, Everybody, Thank you for being here from the bottom of my heart