Breast Cancer Journey
Viewing comments for Chapter 2 "Diagnosis: Breast Cancer"My journey through breast cancer.
168 total reviews
Comment from E.P. Thomas
Barbara,
I truly wish you the best with all of this,and let me say now that I admire the stout attitude you've taken about beating this disease. I know your writing will also help you heal during and after the surgeries and treatments. I admire your strength.
Now to the piece,
As always, you have a very clear narrative style, with a distince, down-home style of voice. At times, it actually feels like you're speaking only to me as I read your work. I'm usually not a spag hunter, but I noticed a couple of things that Jumped out at me.
uncontrollably(add a ,) destroying
The correct form for the plural possessive of 'people' is people's, not peoples'. People is already the plural of the word.
Is it the word cancer, or the disease itself that causes the stress?
"This may not seem strange, but I do not swear." (You just did in the previous line.)
facing(,) but ...fans(,) I'll
I was (also) facing radiation treatment. or I was facing radiation treatment as well.
Silently, tears ....
.....point (ommit comma) was
Good work. Best wishes.
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2010
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Barbara,
I truly wish you the best with all of this,and let me say now that I admire the stout attitude you've taken about beating this disease. I know your writing will also help you heal during and after the surgeries and treatments. I admire your strength.
Now to the piece,
As always, you have a very clear narrative style, with a distince, down-home style of voice. At times, it actually feels like you're speaking only to me as I read your work. I'm usually not a spag hunter, but I noticed a couple of things that Jumped out at me.
uncontrollably(add a ,) destroying
The correct form for the plural possessive of 'people' is people's, not peoples'. People is already the plural of the word.
Is it the word cancer, or the disease itself that causes the stress?
"This may not seem strange, but I do not swear." (You just did in the previous line.)
facing(,) but ...fans(,) I'll
I was (also) facing radiation treatment. or I was facing radiation treatment as well.
Silently, tears ....
.....point (ommit comma) was
Good work. Best wishes.
Comment Written 12-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2010
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Thank you for catching those errors. I will get on them immediately. I wrote this hoping to help other women know they do have the strength to fight this battle.
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Absolutely. That's true for both genders.
Comment from Allezw2
Lady Barbara Wilkie,
In the Navy, it is the bosun's pipe and the following words, "General Quarters, Genral Quarters. All hands man your battle stations, General Quarters, General Quarters."
There are survivors, probably the most spectacular are Lance Armstong and Betty Ford.
Two of my aunts survived breast cancers, aged late forties, early fifties at the time. They are in their nineties and still sharp.
There is always hope.
If this posting of yours inspires more women (and men, too) to be more observant about changes in their bodies, it will be a great service.
Though a stranger who has not suffered such directly, still, even such a one can always wish the afflicted well,
Fair winds and a following sea, Sojourner.
Fantasist
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2010
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Lady Barbara Wilkie,
In the Navy, it is the bosun's pipe and the following words, "General Quarters, Genral Quarters. All hands man your battle stations, General Quarters, General Quarters."
There are survivors, probably the most spectacular are Lance Armstong and Betty Ford.
Two of my aunts survived breast cancers, aged late forties, early fifties at the time. They are in their nineties and still sharp.
There is always hope.
If this posting of yours inspires more women (and men, too) to be more observant about changes in their bodies, it will be a great service.
Though a stranger who has not suffered such directly, still, even such a one can always wish the afflicted well,
Fair winds and a following sea, Sojourner.
Fantasist
Comment Written 11-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2010
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Thank you for your kindness. I wrote this hoping others will find the strength to fight this battle.
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Excelsior!
Comment from Southern Writer
Cancer-even sound nasty. I think I've told you I have been a cancer nurse for 30 years. I have had two cancer scares. And one cancer that was very minor.
It hits you in the middle of the night doesn't it. The overwhelming fear that you won't be here for your family. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, treatment, good eating habits, time to rest and laugh. They are all important. There will come a day when you will wake up in the morning and cancer won't be the first thing you think of.
This is the time to allow family and friends to care for you.
My dear young friend has been told she has cancer. She has allowed me to cook for her family, pick out a wig, and just cry with her. I am honored and feel like I am part of her healing team. It was her gift to me.
Will your life ever be normal again? Depends on what you call normal. But I say it will not. You will get well, but never will you take anything for granted again. You will laugh at the daily irrations, because you are alive. Your body will carry the battle scars, wear them proudly, they help tell the story of your life.
And remember your hair might even come back a different color......an interesting surprise.
Your poem says it all.
I will ask my friends to get you on a prayer list.
You have raised 4 boys, you know how to be tough.
My thoughts are with you.
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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Cancer-even sound nasty. I think I've told you I have been a cancer nurse for 30 years. I have had two cancer scares. And one cancer that was very minor.
It hits you in the middle of the night doesn't it. The overwhelming fear that you won't be here for your family. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, treatment, good eating habits, time to rest and laugh. They are all important. There will come a day when you will wake up in the morning and cancer won't be the first thing you think of.
This is the time to allow family and friends to care for you.
My dear young friend has been told she has cancer. She has allowed me to cook for her family, pick out a wig, and just cry with her. I am honored and feel like I am part of her healing team. It was her gift to me.
Will your life ever be normal again? Depends on what you call normal. But I say it will not. You will get well, but never will you take anything for granted again. You will laugh at the daily irrations, because you are alive. Your body will carry the battle scars, wear them proudly, they help tell the story of your life.
And remember your hair might even come back a different color......an interesting surprise.
Your poem says it all.
I will ask my friends to get you on a prayer list.
You have raised 4 boys, you know how to be tough.
My thoughts are with you.
Comment Written 11-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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Thank you for your kindness. I wrote this hoping to help someone who needs to find strenght to fight this battle.
Comment from Amfunny
Interesting story. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 and had two surgeries to remove the lump and my lymph noded in my right arm.. two layers and fourteen nodes I think it was. I had radiation and then took Tamoxifen for five years. It was life-changing and I have done more in the years since my surgery than in all the years before. It makes you realize you won't be around forever and should not waste a day of your precious life. I opted for the lumpectomy and not the mastectomy. Great decision on my part. I do suffer with mild lympodema in my right arm, but nothing I can't live with. You will be just fine. You will see. Hang in there.
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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Interesting story. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 and had two surgeries to remove the lump and my lymph noded in my right arm.. two layers and fourteen nodes I think it was. I had radiation and then took Tamoxifen for five years. It was life-changing and I have done more in the years since my surgery than in all the years before. It makes you realize you won't be around forever and should not waste a day of your precious life. I opted for the lumpectomy and not the mastectomy. Great decision on my part. I do suffer with mild lympodema in my right arm, but nothing I can't live with. You will be just fine. You will see. Hang in there.
Comment Written 11-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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Thank you for your kindness. I wrote this hoping somehow I would help another woman find strenght.
Comment from debskatz
Hey Barbara,
In all things, be grateful. Somewhere in the Bible is a scripture like that, just don't know where it is at the moment. :>)
Anyway, it's easy to get caught up with Cancer and all the things that come with it. I know that quite well with going through it with my mother & having it myself.
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 42. It was late stage & all of the lymph nodes were involved. She had a radical mastectomy & was told she had about a year to live.
Well, 3 years later, she was diagnosed with bone & liver cancer & told she had onlyl 6 months to live. She's now 70 years old & they have learned not to even try to guess how long she'll live.
For myself, I had a lumpectomy, but two weeks later my doc called and said that though none of the lymph nodes were involved, the tissue around the tumor was not clear, so I had a mastectomy. Thankfully, unlike Mother, I didn't have to have radiation or chemo. They would have put me on tomaxifin (sp), but they believed it wasn't worth the risk considering my other health problems.
My best advise to you would be to not to dwell at all on the cancer, but on all of your many blessings. The more you dwell on the cancer, the more strenght you give it. Now, I know what I just said is extremely difficult to do; however, the more you do it, the easier it will get.
For your greatest blessing is that God is always with you!
I know God will always be with you and bless you.
my love to you,
deb
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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Hey Barbara,
In all things, be grateful. Somewhere in the Bible is a scripture like that, just don't know where it is at the moment. :>)
Anyway, it's easy to get caught up with Cancer and all the things that come with it. I know that quite well with going through it with my mother & having it myself.
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 42. It was late stage & all of the lymph nodes were involved. She had a radical mastectomy & was told she had about a year to live.
Well, 3 years later, she was diagnosed with bone & liver cancer & told she had onlyl 6 months to live. She's now 70 years old & they have learned not to even try to guess how long she'll live.
For myself, I had a lumpectomy, but two weeks later my doc called and said that though none of the lymph nodes were involved, the tissue around the tumor was not clear, so I had a mastectomy. Thankfully, unlike Mother, I didn't have to have radiation or chemo. They would have put me on tomaxifin (sp), but they believed it wasn't worth the risk considering my other health problems.
My best advise to you would be to not to dwell at all on the cancer, but on all of your many blessings. The more you dwell on the cancer, the more strenght you give it. Now, I know what I just said is extremely difficult to do; however, the more you do it, the easier it will get.
For your greatest blessing is that God is always with you!
I know God will always be with you and bless you.
my love to you,
deb
Comment Written 11-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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Thank you for your kindness. I wrote hoping it would inspire other women to have strength to fight this disease.
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Hi Barbara, I think it certainly could inspire other women. And I do believe you can write about it without dwelling on it (if that makes sense!). Sometimes I find it hard to do & other times it can be easy (after some time has passed).
My cancer, thank God, was not really a big problem. It's my other stuff that gets me, particularly this year. I really need to take my own advise about that!
deb :>)
Comment from Nanashirley
It's a wonderful story. My grandmother had a breast removed and lived 15 years with no more problems. Cancer is a scary subject and you brought it to the font and kicked it. Prayers for the 16th.
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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It's a wonderful story. My grandmother had a breast removed and lived 15 years with no more problems. Cancer is a scary subject and you brought it to the font and kicked it. Prayers for the 16th.
Comment Written 11-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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Thank you for your kindness. I wrote this hoping to help women who need to find strength to fight cancer.
Comment from Rama Rao
Barbara
We have thousands of gods in the Hindu pantheon. I am going to send a prayer to each of them to help you go through this ordeal and come out with a big smile on your face. I am also positive one of the gods will listen to me and do the needful. CHEER UP. You are a gritty woman, and you will come through this test with flying colors.
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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Barbara
We have thousands of gods in the Hindu pantheon. I am going to send a prayer to each of them to help you go through this ordeal and come out with a big smile on your face. I am also positive one of the gods will listen to me and do the needful. CHEER UP. You are a gritty woman, and you will come through this test with flying colors.
Comment Written 11-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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Thank you for your kindness. I wrote this hopeing to help other women find their strength.
Comment from kovarou
this is a beautiful piece and i think i got a bit teary at the end, i am sorry and feel so much sorrow for you, i know i shouldnt as it isnt neccisarry but, well i feel for you and think you are a very strong women to be able to post this with your head held high and i take my hat off to you x get well
kovarou wolven
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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this is a beautiful piece and i think i got a bit teary at the end, i am sorry and feel so much sorrow for you, i know i shouldnt as it isnt neccisarry but, well i feel for you and think you are a very strong women to be able to post this with your head held high and i take my hat off to you x get well
kovarou wolven
Comment Written 11-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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Thank you for your kindness. I wrote this with hopes of helping other women the same situation who need strength.
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and with your words and your intergrity im sure you'll do that with no problem , i think you are brilliant =]
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Thank you.
Comment from mtngalofnc
Hi barbara,
Your not a poet are you? Those simple phrases will reside in my heart for a long time. Both my mother and her sister have had breast cancer and their still going strong. My aunt had her surgery 2 years ago at the age of 83. She's doing well, still gardens and puts a spread on the table like you wouldn't believe for anyone who will come in and eat. As a matter of fact I had just returned from her home and opened your post.
Yes, you have friends who will stand by you through this and I will continue each day to add you to my prayer list.
Your write is touching to say the least and so well written. God bless you, my friend and thank you for sharing.
Becky
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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Hi barbara,
Your not a poet are you? Those simple phrases will reside in my heart for a long time. Both my mother and her sister have had breast cancer and their still going strong. My aunt had her surgery 2 years ago at the age of 83. She's doing well, still gardens and puts a spread on the table like you wouldn't believe for anyone who will come in and eat. As a matter of fact I had just returned from her home and opened your post.
Yes, you have friends who will stand by you through this and I will continue each day to add you to my prayer list.
Your write is touching to say the least and so well written. God bless you, my friend and thank you for sharing.
Becky
Comment Written 11-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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Thank you for your kindness. I wrote this hoping to help women who need to find the strength to win this battle.
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Your most welcome and your faith shines in your write. You will be in my prayers.
Comment from Lady & Louis
Barbara, I don't follow your work (I don't follow any novels on FS) but saw this short piece and decided to read it. I'm sorry to hear you too have cancer, and I hope the treatment works well and without too many lousy side effects. My BiL has come through throat cancer and yes, chemo most definitely works for weight loss - he's wearing trousers he hasn't been able to get into for twenty years. (My sister's had to persuade him that getting back into his 1980s Cuban-heel boots isn't a good idea, though, lol.) But as you said, I wouldn't recommend it as a method.
Your summary of the situation is clear and well-presented. The only typo I caught was in "causes fear to dwell in peoples' hearts and minds" in the second paragraph. In this use it only needs to be "people's".
I particularly liked your comment on the irony of having four boys, and the wry-smile-at-best irony of an estrogen-receptor positive cancer.
Best wishes,
Louise
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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Barbara, I don't follow your work (I don't follow any novels on FS) but saw this short piece and decided to read it. I'm sorry to hear you too have cancer, and I hope the treatment works well and without too many lousy side effects. My BiL has come through throat cancer and yes, chemo most definitely works for weight loss - he's wearing trousers he hasn't been able to get into for twenty years. (My sister's had to persuade him that getting back into his 1980s Cuban-heel boots isn't a good idea, though, lol.) But as you said, I wouldn't recommend it as a method.
Your summary of the situation is clear and well-presented. The only typo I caught was in "causes fear to dwell in peoples' hearts and minds" in the second paragraph. In this use it only needs to be "people's".
I particularly liked your comment on the irony of having four boys, and the wry-smile-at-best irony of an estrogen-receptor positive cancer.
Best wishes,
Louise
Comment Written 11-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 11-Sep-2010
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Thank you, I will make that correct. I appreciate your kind review.
