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December 2007 eNewsletter
Dear Cancer Club Visitor,
Happy Holidays! Boy, I never thought I'd think that again when I received my diagnosis of breast cancer thirteen years ago on December 19th. It was my youngest son's birthday that day, and I'd planned a huge party to celebrate. When I got the phone call that day at work, I called my husband and asked him to meet me at home. I told him the bad news.
We put on our "happy faces" and threw the party for Brooks. When the last guests left and the door closed behind them, I broke down and cried off and on for three days.
My husband and I decided to wait until after the holidays to tell our children. So on December 26th, we called the infamous family meeting. Our boys came into our den, sat down on the couch, and my husband started out, "Aren't we a lucky family?" "Oh, yes!", said the boys, nodding their heads up and down. "Didn't we have a nice Christmas?" "Yes!" screamed the boys in unison sneaking sideways glances at the new toys strewn throughout the house. My husband took a deep breath. "Well, sometimes along with the good things in life, some bad things happen to people." "Thank you for sharing that with us, Dad," Brooks quipped. I laughed briefly, proud of my son's good manners.
"Your mother has a disease called 'cancer'. She's going into the hospital this week for some surgery, and she's going to have several treatments that may cause her to get very sick and lose her hair."
"COOL!" said Tim. "Now you'll look like Captain Picard on Star Trek!" I couldn't help but laugh. And I realized that that was the first time I had laughed in eight days.
If you or a loved one are facing cancer this holiday, know that by this time next year, you'll be laughing, too. Keep your spirits up, and have a safe and blessed holiday season. And don't forget to laugh! ™
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SOMETHING TO LAUGH ABOUT! |
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SHARE THE EXPERIENCE |
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How You Can Support a Friend Diagnosed With Cancer
None of us have any control over the timing of a diagnosis of cancer. As they say, "Cancer has its own calendar." If a friend or family member is given a diagnosis or has to go through surgery, treatment or hospitalization on or around a "Special Day," plan to do something for them anyway to acknowledge the occasion despite their protests to the contrary. It will help take their mind off their situation, if even for only an hour or two. It will help them recognize that life must go on. And in the long run, they'll probably feel better just knowing you cared enough to remember.
To cancer patients:
If you are going to the hospital, having a treatment, or just dealing with cancer on a special occasion, bring a little something with you to hand out to family, friends, physicians and caregivers to demonstrate your positive ATTITUDE. Bring candy canes for Christmas, blowers for New Year's, candy hearts for Valentine's Day, chocolates for Easter or balloons for your birthday. You can prove to everyone that you may be down, but you're not out!
"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." --Anonymous
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TEA PARTY POWER! |
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If you're a coffee drinker, you may wish to switch to tea. Doctors at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center in New York began the first human trials in the U.S. of green tea as a cancer-fighting agent, according to Scripp Howard News Service.
Daily doses of powdered green tea extract were given to 30 patients whose cancer tumors were diagnosed as untreatable or had failed to respond to other treatments. The first phase of the experiment is to find how much of the extract a cancer patient can take before experiencing significant side effects.
Population studies in China and Japan have found a strong link between green tea consumption and avoidance of various types of cancer. Shall we have a spot of tea?
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THE CHAT ROOM |
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Dear Cancer Club,
I was visiting a patient last spring, prior to her surgery for a hysterectomy due to cancer. I noted from the information on her chart, that she was Catholic. Since it was Ash Wednesday, I asked if she would like to receive ashes when she was recovering in her room after surgery. She smiled and gratefully accepted.
As we talked, she mentioned that she had already decided on her Lenten discipline. "I'm giving up my uterus for Lent!" We both laughed heartily. I knew she would do well.
Alex Chamberlain, Boise, ID
Dear Cancer Club,
After I was diagnosed with breast cancer (at age 27!), I had to get a chest x-ray taken before I could start my chemotherapy. Prior to the x-ray, I had opened my shirt to several doctors for tests and assumed I'd have to do the same for the x-ray.
The technician gave me a gown to put on and asked that I strip from the waste up. She came back to get me from the dressing room and looked at me funny because I had put the gown on with the slit in the front (as I had been doing for several weeks). She brought me to the x- ray room and placed me in front of the machine and turned away. I dropped the gown so that she could take the x-ray. The tech turned around and freaked out! She screamed, "No, no, you don't have to do that!" I was so embarrassed and was probably the talk of the day amongst the technicians! I truly believe that humor has gotten me through these past 11 months. Thank you so much for helping me.
Angie King, California, KY
Dear Cancer Club,
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March, 2006 at the age of 46. I found that plotting and planning what to wear for each treatment always kept me chuckling and in high spirits (housecoat, turban with three curlers at the bangs, and a red curly wig to wear once my 'hair' was dry! are a few examples).
Over my treatment months, I started handing out trinkets, goofy hats and baked goods to other patients and caregivers, and enjoyed the smiles and laughter it created. I'm now known as the "hat lady!"
Today I continue monthly visits to Estabrook Cancer Center spreading fun and laughter. I work full-time and am working on my MBA. CeLEbrAte SoMEthiNG EvERy dAy!
Cheryl Stevens, Papillion, NE
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HAVE YOU HEARD? |
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ABOUT...WE HAVE WALKED IN YOUR SHOES: A Guide to Living with Oral, Head and Neck Cancer™ ? Basic information and resources for patients and families facing a diagnosis of this type of cancer, its treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery. Visit www.spohnc.org or call (800)377-0928.
ABOUT...NECESSITIES, INC™: Woman to Woman Guide to Prepare for Mastectomy? Suggestions on how to pack and prepare for home-coming. The Necessities Bag is a reusable canvas tote filled with super-soft bandages, gauze pads and other essentials, as well as items for personal hygiene and comfort. Visit www. necessitiesbag.org.
ABOUT...STOMP OUT CANCER™: Indie Musicians Fight Ewing's Sarcoma? This CD features 13 artists from around the globe to fund Ewing's Sarcoma research. Visit http://www.stompoutcancer.com/
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WHAT ABOUT NO HAIR DAYS? |
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If the threat of lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease can't convince you to quit smoking, maybe this will: Smokers are 400 percent more likely to have gray hair than their nonsmoking counterparts, according to a study of 600 people in England. (One in four balding men say they would gladly give up five years of life for a full head of hair--American Online poll.) So if you are having a No Hair Day, remember: yours will grow back!!
"Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point."
"Climb slowly, steadily, enjoying each passing moment, and the view from the summit will serve as a fitting climax for the journey." --Harold V. Melchert
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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: JANUARY, 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
See you NEXT YEAR! Don't forget to laugh!™
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Warmest wishes, 
Christine Clifford Beckwith, CSP
Founder/President/CEO
The Cancer Club ™
Don't forget to laugh! ™
Phone: 1-800-586-9062
Fax: 1-612-922-0195
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