You decide what you want to do after this true story!

Hi, I am writing this as something came up today to fill me with so much hope, it also brought back many of my cancer journey memories, I was answering a post to someone on here, and remembered this woman I met a few years ago in the discount store Marshall's. We got to talking because she saw I had a scarf on my head with a pretty straw hat on over the top of it, very easy to see I had cancer, and I had chemotherapy and my hair was gone, we got to talking and she told me that her, and her sister both had been diagnosed over 5 years ago with end stage breast cancer. They had both gone for years together to get mammograms each year, so they both found out on the same day they had this incurable end stage breast cancer. I was shocked really to look at her, she looked very healthy, she had all of her makeup on really nice, nice clothes, and was in a good mood. The way it looked. She was smiling, and for the most part looked happy, and content. She went on to tell me that both of them had to go home and tell their mom and their dad and their siblings, they both had breast cancer. I can't imagine what a horrible thing that had to be for that family. they had faith in God and were active members in their church, the only difference in them was how they both felt about the cancer they had growing inside them. This sister I met, was alive and well, she had gone home and made all her plans to live, to fight and get chemo, radiation and whatever else they wanted to throw at me is what she said to me, "and your sister" I asked her, "She went home, and put on her pajamas and that is where she sat, and that is where she died". So we never really will know if this other sister would have lived if her attitude had been different like this sister. But it did make me feel different when I had heard this, in fact it had given me more of a reason to keep fighting. I hadn't been given too much hope from my own regular doctor, or even my oncologist, they both kind of just looked at me with sympathy on their faces and "there is not much we can do" type of reactions. I did choose to fight, like this sister alive and well and in remission today, and so am I. So anyone reading this post please know it hasn't been easy for me to go this route, but faith and a good fight has seen me through this ordeal. My doctors are surprised, and have told me so, my friends and family also told me they never thought Thanksgiving of 2006 I would live for more than a few weeks. The chemo and the radiation can make it look to anyone that you are dying, it is just what it does to us, it does make us feel sick, but not that bad that you can't get through it. It looks worse from the outside looking in. This is my story anyway, maybe others feel differently, but for me I was very tired and very weak and it took at least a full year to recoup enough strength to want to get up from the couch, and make some Christmas cookies, I say this because even that year of 2006 to make Christmas cookies with my grandchildren,I needed a table and chairs to sit while I did it, today I am up and walking each day. I still have cancer, but I contiune to fight it it and like that sister, alive and well I plan to win. You can too. Just believe in yourself. and believe in your faith.
good luck, and god bless
Sandy

By beckylynn
Posted June 9, 2009 at 4:59 am
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Sandy,
That's a great post and very interesting story on how two siblings dealt with their cancers. Never give up. Live life to the fullest as God intends us to do.

Thank you for reminding how key our attitudes really are.
Becky :)

By BKS
Posted June 9, 2009 at 8:09 am
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Thank you so much for this inspiring story.
I am just ( today) beginning my chemo experience. I have a great joy for life and feel extremely optimistic-(although no doctors share this optimism.) The chemo is a last resort and only 15 to 20% effective for my type of cancer. I truly believe I will be in the winning percentages. My positive attitude seems so natural to me as each day is beautiful and I am happy to be here enjoying it. My love for my family makes it easy for me to fight this battle.
I appreciate so much your story and will think of it if ever the boogie man gets a hold of me. Thanks again, Beverly

By Barb723
Posted June 9, 2009 at 8:49 am
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Hi Sandy,
Your story will help so many people to realize that their attitude and willing to fight can help cure them. Your story has reminded me to keep positive. Thank you for sharing it.
God Bless,
Barb

By rebaj
Posted June 9, 2009 at 9:30 am
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Cuddles, you spread good thoughts and action advice which keeps people thinking and hoping for a better outcome. You are a true inspiration.
Thanks RebaJ

By jh2467
Posted June 9, 2009 at 9:56 am
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Sandy,

Thank you so much for starting my day and many others with such an inspirational story. I truly believe that attitude is so much of our battle. This is a long hard journey that we are all on, but we must all fight. God will guide each of us through anything if we just have faith. My oncologist told me from the very first day I met him, that there wasn't any reason why I couldn't beat the odds, and that is what I plan to do. Just like the sister in your story.

Thank you again.

Janet

By Marylou1
Posted June 9, 2009 at 10:09 am
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Hi Sandy:

Thanks for posting the story. A Positive attutude does matter! When you hear the word "Cancer" it knocks you for a loop. Then, you can get p*ssed and fight the beast with all you have, or you can sit in the corner and let it take over.

Most of us here have our boxing gloves on. Yay US!
Much Love,
Marylou

By cuddles53
Posted June 9, 2009 at 10:24 am
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Thanks so much to all of you who responded, my intent was to be an inspiration. I hear of so many people on this post who are ready to give yup just because their mom isn't looking so good today, or maybe she is sleeping so much, not eating, whatever, but remember those of us who went through all of this before, we all knew we were still alive inside, our outside body shell looked as if we had one foot in the ground, and maybe we did, but somehow we are still here to talk about it, we beat those odds, it is now time to let the new people being diagnosed know that it can be beat, it will be beat by those of us who can do it. right now there are different ways we can do things, unlike when I was diagnosed, and ignorant as to what other options are available, I have been an advocate, and still am for Dr. Nagourney in California with his work on the assays, he can take biopsies from us, there at his facility, or you can have your own facilty take a biopsy, they must obtain a large enough sample of fluid, or tissue for him to do testing on. Then he can tell you which exact chemo drug will kill your cancer, not a wait and see what works like what was done for me. luckily, and through prayer and the act of God, and I guess my unwillingness to let this kill me, I survived it so far. I am not saying tomorrow might be my unlucky day, but I have seen 2 extrra Christmas days! I have had a couple of extra summers to enjoy, so I am not complaining. I want you all to know anyone reading this that I am going to keep searching into new tecniques, and procedures, anything new out there that looks like it has half a chance, if it will save you or save me, I am going to be watching for it. As I am hoping you will all do the same. We can stick together on this, and try and find a cure, if we break apart and do not keep union together we won't have as much of a chance on destroying this killer. I think in our lifetime we are going to get the surprise of our life, but we have to look for ourselves into researching new drugs and treatments in the trial stages. Then ask others about it, and put our heads together, and win this race against time. good luck, and god bless all of you for writing back, you also have made my day.
Sandy

By Munker
Posted June 9, 2009 at 11:00 am
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Interesting. I met a 10 year survivor of Colon and breast cancer who shared a similar story with me. Her sister was diagnosed with breast canner and did not take an aggressive fighter attitude and she died within 2 years. The survivor has fought from day one and is still here ten years later. She had Stage IV colon cancer. She travels from MI to Yale in CT for her doctor appointments. Her life has been far from easy but she has lived long enough to see her children grow in to adulthood and is still enjoying life.

By karenere
Posted June 9, 2009 at 2:55 pm
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Cuddles, I love to read your posts. They are always insprational!!!!!! Although I don't feel like a fighter, everyone around me, including my onc, says I am. It's just a little hard when all the kids are having problems and you know the sadder things of life are happening, which seems all the time, I try to keep my strenght up for them but I am hurting inside for them. I am going to get a big freaking sign outside with "NEGATIVITY TODAY? TURN AROUND AND GO AWAY"!!!!!!!!!
Love, Karen

By peyz33
Posted June 9, 2009 at 6:58 pm
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Sandy - thank you so much for that story - I too am a fighter - and sometimes - I will admit - I want to sit in my pj's on the couch and cry like a baby (the pity-party) but then I do manage to pull myself together and get my fight back - thank you SO much for reminding me that I have alot of fight still in me and fight I will!
Be Strong!
Karen

By pilot27k
Posted June 9, 2009 at 8:01 pm
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Sandy,
I am so glad you are a survivor and can help others with your life experiences. What you said sounds so much like what Richard Bloch said in his Fighting Cancer book. He was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and survived for 23 years because he chose to fight it with everything he had in him.

By cuddles53
Posted June 9, 2009 at 8:51 pm
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Thanks again you guys are great and I bet like me all fighters! Let it be known to all, that I have plenty of days that I do stay in my house all day and keep my pj's on! I feel depression seep in on a regular basis, I think it is quite normal, and "No" I am not on any antidepressants, nor do I want them, I am on enough medications as it is. I think to feel down and out is only natural, and really good for us also, we do need days to just lay low, it is our bodies rest period which I think we need that too, but on the days where the sun is out, and people are calling you, and you have so much to do, smile and be happy, and resume your fight. It is all a balancing act, and we can do it, we have too, we have no choice but to do what we have to do to keep going and survive. It was so nice to hear from all of you with such positive vibes, you are keeping your own cancer at bay. god bless to everyone here who answered my post.
Sandy

By Pat-M
Posted June 10, 2009 at 12:19 am
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Hi Sandy,

I always enjoy reading your posts - you speak from the heart and I'm sure that your positive attitude has allowed you the extra Christmases with your grand kids. My goal, too, after being dx last fall was getting the Christmas cookies baked, and with the help of friends we cranked out 2500 cookies. It was the best therapy ever!

What a great story about the sisters. I think it is so critical, not just to believe that you can outlive the "statistics", but to find an oncologist who's willing to fight for you. I honestly believe I owe the quality of my life these past 9 months, first to my faith and then to Dr. Nagourney who looked my square in the eyes and guaranteed me I could get better. I've shed plenty of tears over this, but even if it all ends tomorrow, HOPE has allowed me to leave each day with joy rather than in fear.

Thank you Sandy, and to everyone who has shared their stories of hope on this site!

By Ex_turned_Caregiver
Posted June 10, 2009 at 12:51 am
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Yep, Sandy, that was one great story! And you are one great lady for sharing it.

I don't know how many INSPIRE.com people notice, but this Sandy/Cuddles53 chick is one tough cookie -- with a soft, warm inside that makes you feel good all over.

They don't count posts on this site, or at least they don't show that number, but Sandy is one of the most prolific contributors here.

She and MaryLou1 reply to almost every post with such love and compassion -- each and every post and reply is given straight from their keyboards to our hearts.

It takes a lot of time to read all the posts here, from all the newly diagnosed, the scared, the angry, the confused, the NED; those who have lost their loved ones, and loved ones who have said their goodbyes with hopeful endings, as they feel their increasing proximity to the other side.

This ain't no site for sissies... I'll tell you that.

It takes a strong person to read every single post and to comment, when comments can help. (Let's face it... some comments just don't help!)

And to hold each post and each poster next to your heart as you do, your heart must be the size of the Milky Way.

It's really no wonder you are still alive. God is not finished with you, my dear friend! He needs you here, with us, because he knows -- you know how to turn on that computer, make your way to this site, and give us all the hope and inspiration we need, just when we thought there wasn't any left to be had.

I'm so very proud to count you among my friends.

Welcome to Inspire!

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