Dear Christine,
"The really frightening thing about middle age is the knowledge that you'll grow out of it." -- Doris Day
Have you ever known people who lie about their age? I don't know if I've ever understood the phenomenon, but once I got cancer at the tender age of 40, I knew that I would celebrate and cherish every birthday.
March 13th is mine: 54. Sure, my AARP card arrived over four years ago, and my friends email me jokes like, "Mid-life has hit you when you stand in front of the mirror and see your rear end without turning around." Very funny indeed.
Getting older is relative, however. At my oncologist's office for my annual check-up, an elderly gentleman in his 70's was looking quite forlorn. Asking him what could possibly be the matter, he responded, "I came on the wrong day. My doctor is out-of-town!" "You don't need a doctor," I assured him. "You need a big hug." His face lit up in a smile as he chided, "I'll take all the hugs I can get from a young woman like you!" I even offered to buy him lunch after a compliment like that.
I believe that one of the greatest gifts that came from my cancer experience was the true appreciation for every day. And to be able to celebrate almost 14 years... well, that is a true gift from God.
Don't get me wrong. The "50 something" jokes such as "You know you're 50 when-- you drop off your dry cleaning at the post office, or you're still able to recall where you left your keys, but not what they unlock" still rattle my cage. But I'm thrilled to pieces that I'm still here to be rattled, and that I now have 60 to look forward to.
Celebrate your birthday this year and remember: Don't forget to laugh! ™
One of the "danger zones" for people facing cancer is when they tell you they don't want to see people or don't want to go out. Perhaps they don't feel well, or they are uncomfortable with their personal appearance. Make some special arrangements to take them out for an afternoon of lunch and a special activity: perhaps a funny movie matinee, or a walk in the park. Call ahead to the restaurant and request a private or secluded table where the two of you can talk. Make arrangements for some freshly cut flowers to be on the table or a cake to be delivered for desert to celebrate the day. The cancer patient will forget their troubles for an afternoon and will be grateful that you still enjoy their company.
To cancer patients:
If a friend or loved one offers to take you out for lunch or a special activity, take them up on their offer. It will take your mind off your treatments and current condition, and besides-- it's lots of fun! You'll be glad you went!
"We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth."
--George Bernard Shaw
Researchers from the University of North Carolina believe they have unlocked the mystery of how an antioxidant found in grapes and red wine might fight cancer. The journal Cancer Research published a study that concludes that the compound resveratrol, which acts like an antibiotic to protect grapes from fungus, may turn off a protein that guards cancer cells from cancer-fighting therapies, such as chemotherapy. Resveratrol can be found in dozens of foods, including mulberries and peanuts. A glass of red wine a day may keep cancer away!
Dear Cancer Club,
My breast cancer was in Ocober of '91, so it's going on 17 years. Both breasts were eventually removed because of the high risk of recurrance. I don't normally wear any prothesis, so one of the family jokes is that it must be something important for Mom to wear her fake boobs! One daughter married in 1994, and my other daughter two years later, so that's two times we know that I wore them!
I must tell you that your eNewsletter came at an inopportune time. I'd just had a non-cancerous abdominal surgery, and when I read the last newsletter, I laughed so hard, I thought I'd break open! I had to put it down because laughing was so uncomfortable! Maybe you should put a warning label on your eNewsletter. For example: "WARNING! Reading enclosed material may cause fits of laughter." I do look forward to future issues, and to not having just had abdominal surgery. Keep up the great work!
Beatrice "Bea" Neill, Exxex Junction, VT
I had to laugh when I read the quote from Billy Graham in the February issue of your newsletter. Here's the story...
Last June, I was able to share my cancer and faith story at church. Toward the end of my talk, the young pastor played a video he had compiled, mostly beautiful images with the song, Voice of Truth, playing. Near the end of the song, he used a couple of cancer photos I had given him: one with me bald, and one with me wearing my wig. The final image was shown with that same quote from Billy Graham. It
Nancy Eckel, Cincinnati, OH
I was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2004. I went through chemotherapy and radiation. As my hair started to grow back, people would always ask, "Who did your hair?" I was doing the spiky/funky look. I would tell them it is a place that is really expensive, but the people are great...
Then, I would tell them it was the Cancer Center. You should have seen the looks on their faces!
Debbie Erce, Green Bay, WI
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Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Walk softly and carry a big carrot. Everyone needs a friend who is all ears. There's no such thing as too much candy. All work and no play can make you a basket case. A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention. Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day. Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits. To show your true colors, you have to come out of your shell. The best things in life are still sweet and gooey!
"A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs, jolted by every pebble in the road."
--Henry Ward Beecher
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! ™
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 Think spring! Don't forget to laugh!™
Warmest wishes,