quote:

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! ™

SOMETHING TO LAUGH ABOUT!



SHARE THE EXPERIENCE

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


TEA PARTY POWER!

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?


THE CHAT ROOM


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