Hope for the coming week

[marie3B]

Quote," The human body experiences a powerful gravitational pull in the direction of hope. That is why the patient's hopes are the physician's secret weapon. They are the hidden ingredients in any prescription." Norman Cousins

One of my former co-workers gave me a little book called Words of Hope. This was in it. I liked how it sounded, so I am going to hope as hard as I can that we all find some healing and some normalcy this week.

I have a group of friends. There are five of us. We call ourselves the Birthday Club. We have known each other almost 20 years. We have worked together, shared our families with each other and have become like sisters. Although I feel very close to these women it does not compare to the bond I feel with women fighting this horrilble monster. I love you all and I want you to beat this thing as badly as I want to beat it myself.

I hope we give it a good fight this week, Marie

[SimplyStar]

Try not to let "cancer consume most of your thoughts"  try to live in the thoughts of tomorrow, those changes can only occur if you push away the normal everyday living skills.  To worry about trival things to me is not a waste of time, it is the matter of living and noticing what is going on around us all the time.  We cannot be always honed in on serious thoughts, that will overwhelm the psyche and leave you at great risk.  Your friend is "not perfect"  no one is. We all have hills and valleys in our lives. Cancer, as bad as it is, is not the only dilbilitating disease in the world, there are many,  I do not have cancer, at least I don't think so, but I do have an age problem, if I concentrated on "the days left for me" instead of living out each day with as much enthusiasm as I can bring to force, then I would indeed have a big problem.  Push the cancer away from your  constant thoughts and live each day with more beauty of life.  I read and believe in the Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Peale , it has brought me more peace with myself than any thing else.  I care about you Marie, otherwise your post would have not given me a reason to write this,  Do not despair, always cling to HOPE.  Marty

[JC145]

Thanks for the words of encouragement.  My dtr. is getting married 3/28 and I  haven't been checked in months (didn't want any bad news).  Been feeling a little scared lately with some lower left side pain...not constant, but new and annoying in that I don't want to feel anything right now.  The quote reminds me to stay hopeful and try not to worry about every little ache and pain.  Thanks, Judy

[marie3B]

Yes, facing this has changed me in many ways. The night before my surgery I wrote good-bye letters to my husband, daughters, grandkids, and my boss. I saw on the ultra-sound and in the CT what was in me. I didn't see how even the best of surgeons could fix a mess like that . I was prepared not to make it. Because I did make it I think I appreciate things more. I took alot for granted before. I try not to now. I appreciate life and good health so much more that I tend to get irritated when I hear people wasting  time worrying about trivial things. I have to bite my tongue when my best friend talks about getting Botox for 2 tiny lines on her forehead!!  I want to say, "You don't have cancer. You are already perfect!!!" I have to remember that just because cancer consumes most of my thoughts, she isn't in the same place. (Thank God she isn't!)
I know that because you faced the cancer fear you are changed. I am so glad that the fear did not come true! I celebrate your new cancer-free life!     Marie

[Shari4444]

Hello, Hon,
    I have another quote for you:"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security." I think we have all done this when we have our surguries, get test results, and admit our vulnerabilities on this forum. I know my "scare" changed my life.....any other thoughts out there on how "this" has changed your life and made you grow?
                            Hugs All Around,
                                Shari

          P.S. The quote was from Gail Sheehy, an author.