Survivors
"Let everything that you're feeling course through you. Don't deny
any feeling. Stay in the moment. Don't start wondering if it's in your liver
or brain. Stay with the diagnosis you've got. Be sure and tell your doctor
how you feel.
And be very selective about who you tell you have cancer. It gives cancer
too much power when you tell the wrong people. The main thing people feel is:
"They've made a mistake." Just feel that too. Don't worry about
feeling stupid or crazy. Don't dare ask why . . . why me? There is no answer.
You are not to blame for this illness. People often stoically say, "Well,
everybody has their cross to bear and this one's mine" . . . but underneath
they're cursing God."
-- Ruth, age 65. Breast Cancer.
"The hopelessness and fear of death was so immense when I was first
diagnosed with leukemia. The fear made me feel suicidal for awhile. But I
really wanted to live so I quickly tried to find ways to change hopelessness to
hope. I devoured information through books. I found people who gave me courage,
faith, and direction. Even today I keep myself on the path of learning because
there are many things one can do to become a survivor. I've learned that one
can develop a realistic belief that all things are possible."
-- Lana, age 43. Leukemia.
"When the doctor told me and my teenage daughter, Becca, that she had a
brain tumor, I wrapped my arms around her and mentally said to God, "You're
not going to get my child." I asked the doctor what we had to do . . . and
then I proceeded to walk into the bathroom where I had dry heaves for an hour.
My husband knocked on the door after an hour. I couldn't get off the floor.
It was as if he had to scrape me up with a shovel.
Every day I was frightened but I fought the fear with tangible action, such
as chemotherapy, radiation, tapes and books. And that give me a sense of control
over the cancer. And from there Becca inspired all of us with her unending love
and her personal motto: Hope Always."
-- Char, mother of cancer patient.
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