Cancer survivors, unite!

Thank goodness for this site! It's so great to know we can talk about anything we feel moved to share and it's okay. I have been reading some older posts, and was amazed to see so many of "us", victors over the BIG C, here. As another survivor said, you just don't know what it's like if you haven't been there. People want to help, and we surely need it during the long lonely hours of suffering, but no one can help better than one who has made the same journey, as a patient or a caregiver. So, from someone just learning this site, a big howdy from Texas to everyone, and especially to all of you who belong to the involuntary CS club. I'm embarrassed to be such a big baby when I read about people who kept going online even though their lives were turned inside out, upside down and backwards with the struggle to get through treatments and all that cancer inflicts on us. There were days when I felt so low, I could have walked under a caterpillar's belly with a high hat on. I needed someone to just pet me! Rebecca and Sue will never know how much they encouraged me just by being kind and caring and warm and, well, THERE. I thank all of you who encourage us, even when you don't know the details, and I wonder if you know you might actually be saving lives! Richard Block wrote in a book for cancer survivors that people with a strong support group increase their chances of survival by some huge amount I can't recall, as opposed to people who don't have the input of such a group. I'm not a joiner, but for gardening I will do almost anything, and it turned out that my gardening friends are my support group. And now I'm going to look up the information for Block's web site, because when I read about it months ago, I didn't have the energy to check it out. I gave away my copy of his book, but you can get one free if you're a cancer patient/survivor. It was one of the most important things I read after my diagnosis. Again, many thanks to all of you. Gosh, gardeners just can't be beat.

Hi Aimee,
You go girl or should I say Lady! You are here for the future and hope all is and going well for you and I am sure it is!

I am so glad you came to Davesgarden and you will flourish here!

Love to Ya!
Reb-

Hi Aimee and welcome to the garden'No matter how badly I feel I keep the thought that someone else is having it worse' This keeps me focused along with tons of laughter and my prayers' I don't pray only at night either,all the time'Thanks again for this thread and by only reading you and Prissy's post already feel better,lol' See ya 'round the garden' Sis':D

It was Prissy who convinced me to come back here, after I had visited briefly in the early days. She posted on her site during the worst of my illness, providing a link for people to keep up with my status. When I was out of touch, she phoned me to boost me up again. I don't know where she gets the energy to do it or how she keeps her attitude so positive, but I am grateful. Hope I didn't embarrass her! Thanks to all of you who have helped me in various ways. Sometimes I sort of drop out, and then I spend hours reading posts and trying to catch up. It helps to be among people who allow for our limitations and to know they really do understand and care. I'm sure I speak for many others when I say this is all therapy, and the people who offer encouragement are truly saving lives.

WELCOME AIMEE
You are 1000% correct a strong support group does help the survial rate.

On my bad days I knew I could always get some encouragement from my friends at DG.

The mental part of fighting Cancer is a as big a battle as the physcial problems.

If you know of anyone who needs encouragement please let me know. I would like to give back some of the help that has been given to me.

Paul

Ditto, Aimee, from one who has made the walk.

"eyes"

Eyes, you posted that on my birthday! I don't know if you were a patient or a caregiver, but it's good to hear from you.

Yes, all of us who have looked death right in the eye and walked away can unite together. I did not have cancer but I had a growth close to my brain and when it came up on a CATscan the doctors said they'd have to open me up, and that it was close to my eyes and it was a risky op. The op was successful but it was months and months before I recovered. It was a very rare condition and the doctors don't think it will return.
You're in a good website Aimee. Welcome!

Congratulations, Northerner! I have noticed quite a few survivors here, and I think that's significant. I'm so glad for you that the prognosis is a positive one. The more often we hear of someone beating the odds, the more often we are reminded that it can be done. And thanks for the welcome, I feel right at home. See you around the garden.

We will all make it!! I wonder just how many of us are cancer survivors. I often have felt that helping something else grow and gain strength has some how helped me do the same. Anyone else feel that way about Gardening?
Sue

I guess God has led me to this thread tonight. I haven't seen it before. I haven't shared this with many on DG, but those that I have, have been very supportive. I'm the caregiver to my husband, Carl. We moved to AZ from Fla on May 1st of last year. On May 5th he was diagnoised with Small Cell Lung Cancer(SCLC). He spent most of the summer receiving chemo and radiation at the Tucson VA Hospital...where he got excellent treatment, by the way. We have been blessed to have over a full year to enjoy our 6 year old GS, but we have learned that it has now come back....plus a tumor in his brain. While he is not ill or in pain at this time, the tumor has wrecked havoc on his life. He knows that he CAN do things, but can't quite remember HOW to to it. I've had a particulary hard day with this today, and find solice in Dave's Garden. Thank you so much for listening. Keep us BOTH in your prayers.Jo

Will pray Jo,

Jo, yours is the toughest position I can imagine. You and Carl have my prayers and my love. I honestly don't think I would have lived without two things: the many people praying for me and my wonderful daughter-in-law who was my primary caregiver. I don't know where she found the strength to do all she did, but would suspect it came from all the prayers, too. You must be getting the same support. If you haven't read the books by Richard Block, formerly of H&R Block, I will send you the address to get them free. He was terminal in 1978, advanced lung cancer, but is alive today and doing so much for other cancer patients. His book was so very encouraging to me when I finally found the energy to read it. Keep us posted, and email me anytime you need to talk. I am very interested and care very deeply. Aimée

Jo
I will say a prayer for your husband.
Keep a postive attitude things will work out.

Paul

Thank you so much Aimee, Ozarksue, and Paul...Yes, I do have a very good Prayer Support group...in lots of places! I was at the hospital today to see Carl, helped him get a shower, walked around the nice grounds there at the Tucson VA Hospital. It does seem the brain tumor is a bigger problem right now than the lung cancer. He "forgets to do things"..like fix his sugar in the coffee, what he likes to eat when I'm filling out the menu for him. Very sad! He was always such a vital person, and could do or build anything...and loved to garden. Now he doesn't even want to go out to look at his plants. Thank you again for your kindness to me. Jo

I think anyone with a life threatening illness has been there and can relate to each other. I too am here by the grace of God....and I feel a kinship with those who have been seriously ill. You are right...unless you've been down that road...you have absolutely NO idea how it feels.

I had the big "C" in 1973 and was a lucky lady to be cured. It has been 28 yrs. now and am counting my blessings everyday.

Jo, please know that you and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.

Donna

Thank you, Donna. I should be getting some kind of decision about the radiation tomorrow. He looks so good and healthy that it is impossibe to tell by his appearance how serious his illness is. Jo