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Dear Christine,
Back in February~ the 18th to be exact~ I experienced what doctors refer to as an "abnormal MRI". Abnormal as in "not quite normal" or abnormal as in, "Uh, oh. Here we go again"? My doctor confirmed, "We've detected a small mass in your right breast" (the one that had my original breast cancer in ' 94), and they scheduled me for an ultra-sound needle biopsy.
As I went into the biopsy a week later, I looked at the radiologist and said, "You know, cancer reminds me a lot of Arnold Schwarzenegger. It's powerful; it takes over the entire room when it enters; and you never know when it's going to say, "I'LL BE BACK!" I was struggling with all of the emotions I had experienced over thirteen years ago: anger, confusion, denial and grief. But through it all, there surfaced one particular emotion that kept rising to the top that made it all possible: HOPE.
I realized that if I do have cancer again, I have what it takes to get through the process. I have the power of the letter "P". There is power in people: our family, friends, staff, clients and co-workers. There is power in the physicians, and this time I know them better, trust them more and know how they operate. I have the power of prayer: that my faith can help me understand why this is happening again. I have the power of passion: to spread the word of joy and laughter despite the obstacles we all have to overcome in our every day lives. But most importantly, I have the power of positive thinking.
KSTP5 (ABC here in Minneapolis) and photo journalist John Gross thought enough of my power of positive thinking to do a story on it. You can see it by visiting their website www.kstp.com/article/stories/s431247.shtml? v=1
I'm still undergoing tests, biopsies, and MRIs. Nothing has been conclusive almost three months later. But the experience only reinforced to me that every day-- every moment-- is a gift to embrace, cherish and share. To all of us-- the patients, survivors, family, friends, employers and caregivers who are living with cancer-- never let go of the thing that makes getting up every day worth living for: the gift of hope. And oh, by the way, Don't forget to laugh! ™ IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR!
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SHARE THE EXPERIENCE |
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How You Can Support a Friend Diagnosed With Cancer
A common reaction when you hear a friend or loved one has cancer is to volunteer to put the patient in touch with another friend or family member you know who has also faced the disease. While this can be comforting and supportive to talk to other people who have "been there, done that," it can also be overwhelming to begin receiving calls from complete strangers.
Call the cancer patient first and offer to put them in touch with your other acquaintance. Then, be sure to ask when a convenient time would be to call, and whether the patient would prefer to place the call themselves at their convenience or receive the call from your friend. Eventually the two will probably enjoy sharing their stories, but it is important that the timing be appropriate.
To cancer patients:
Be assertive if you do not want to speak to strangers about your situation. Tell your friend or family member that you appreciate their concern and efforts to put you in touch with someone they know. Then let your friend know if you would, indeed, find comfort in speaking to someone else who has faced a diagnosis of cancer. You may make a new friend in the process!
God allows us to experience the low points in life, in order to teach us lessons we could not have learned in any other way.
--C.S. Lewis
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LOLLIPOP POWER! |
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A raspberry-flavored lollipop loaded with narcotic painkiller for treatment of cancer patients received a unanimous vote from a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel for use in the U.S. The lollipop, called Actiq, is manufactured by Anesta Corporation of Salt Lake City, and marketed by Abbott Laboratories. It is available by prescription only.
Actiq is designed for cancer patients who already are receiving opiates to control pain. The lollipop is used for quick relief of what is called "breakthrough pain."
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THE CHAT ROOM |
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Dear Cancer Club,
Surgery for acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland (salivary gland cancer) left me with an 8" incision along my neck held together with metal staples. I went to sleep as Ms. McCutcheon and woke up Ms. McFrankenstein. My ex-boyfriend offered me a couple of bolts to complete the look. (You can tell why he's an ex). Since then, I've had a remarkable recovery. I owe my life to my surgeon, whom I've since nominated for knight-hood.
I took about three weeks off work to recover from surgery and didn't start radiation until nearly eight weeks later. Given that I was only 34 years old and healthy (cancer aside), I was determined to keep working throughout the five weeks of radiation therapy. This arrogance was challenged after day two of treatments, when during a conference call at the office, I suddenly lost 90% of the moisture in my mouth.
Lest you have doubt, saliva is essential to conversation. You never appreciate the value of saliva until the moment you have none. With me, it was like a form of torture. Thank God that I happened to have a bottle of water on my desk or I might have had to use sign language to tell my colleague to finish the call on my behalf. I can laugh about this now. I actually laughed pretty soon after it happened, and chalked it up to yet another learning experience: always have a bottle of water handy during treatment! I'm convinced I'll be carrying around a water bottle-- much like a security blanket-- until my salivary glands are back to normal!
Ann McCutcheon, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Dear Cancer Club,
I was waiting in my radiation oncologist's office to be marked for radiation treatments. My doctor finally saw me, and after the exam, said, "I'll go get you scheduled for your markings. Be right back."
He left the room and never returned. I waited in the room for at least another twenty minutes. Finally, a nurse opened the door and exclaimed, "What are YOU doing here? Everyone has gone home!"
I had a good laugh! Life is wonderful.
Joy Feeley, Prairie Village, KS
Dear Cancer Club,
How can I have anything but a wonderful day with humor in my heart? One of the funniest experiences I had during chemo was overhearing my son on the phone as I fiddled in the kitchen. He commented to his friend, "It's always interesting to watch Mom come home. You never know what body parts will start coming off when she walks through the door." Since it was warm, I was quick to remove my wig and prothesis... both rather warm, uncomfortable items at the end of a work day!
Grace VerMeer, Pella, IA
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HAVE YOU HEARD? |
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ABOUT...CARING BRIDGE™ ? Free, personalized websites that support and connect loved ones during critical illness, treatment and recovery. Visit www.caringbridge.org.
ABOUT...LOOKING GOOD AND FEELING GREAT AT ANY AGE™ ? by Gwen Herb. Features 26 distinguished experts, including Christine Clifford Beckwith, on various health, fitness and beauty topics. Visit www.gwenherbsmarthealth.com/books.html
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DON'T WORRY... BE HAPPY! |
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"B Positive" is not just a blood type-- it's a prescription for a longer life. Beverly Brummett of Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC says, "People could potentially extend their life spans with positive emotions," in her study released at The American Psychosomatic Society. Constant happiness isn't necessary, Brummett explains, but avoiding emotional lows is vital to prolonging life. Joyful adults also enjoy more emotional support from family and friends. So think positive and live longer. We guarantee it!
"A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad."
--Arthur H. Glasow
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ABOUT CHRISTINE CLIFFORD BECKWITH & THE CANCER CLUB™ |
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The Story Behind The Newsletter
The Cancer Club™, based in Minneapolis, MN, was created by Christine Clifford in 1995 in response to her diagnosis of Stage III metastatic breast cancer at the age of 40 in 1994. Christine, whose mother died of breast cancer at 42, found during her own treatments that while family and friends were supportive, noone ever gave her anything to make her laugh.
Needing a lift, Christine began to search for signs of humor in herself and her predicament. She found them daily. The more she laughed, the stronger she grew, and The Cancer Club™ was born.
The critically acclaimed Cancer Club™ is the first organization to offer hope and support to cancer patients, their families and friends through the healing power of humor. A dynamic speaker, Christine has traveled the globe with her keynote presentations and seminars on using humor to get through life's adversities.
Christine is married to speaker/author Harry Beckwith (co-authors of You, Inc. The Art of Selling Yourself) and is the mother of five boys: Harry, Jr., Tim, Walter, Brooks & Cole; a daughter Cooper, a cat Simone and grandmother to a Siberian Husky named Skylar. Call The Cancer Club™ today or email us to book Christine for your next event. Don't forget to laugh! ™
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NEXT ISSUE: JUNE, 2008 |
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We Hope You've Enjoyed This Edition
We hope you've enjoyed this edition of The Cancer Club™ eNewsletter. We'd like to thank our FABulous illustrator Jack Lindstrom of FAB Artists!
If you have a humorous or interesting story about cancer, send it to us at: P.O. Box 24747 Edina, MN 55424-0747 or email us at: Christine@cancerclub.com
Visit us online at www.cancerclub.com
Enjoy the May flowers! Don't forget to laugh!™
Warmest wishes,
Christine Clifford Beckwith, CSP
Founder/President/CEO
The Cancer Club ™
Don't forget to laugh! ™
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