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 rrkellam
Posted July 6, 2009 at 10:35 pm
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Hi cuddles, this is my first time on this site. Your story is very inspiring. my bros has stage 4 nsclc squammus. Can you tell me exactly what type you have?

By bavarianwench
Posted June 12, 2009 at 8:18 am
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Hi Julie, Same here.. my mother was 77 at time of diagnosis 4 months ago and there was one dr. in particular that had this attitude and actually called her an old lady! I was not here but heard it from my mom & sister. He's lucky i wasn't there. He was the specialist in PHL when we were hoping that my mom would be a candidate for embolization, where the chemo is directed into the liver itself.
My mother is one very lively person too! She was quiet only because he had a very thick accent and she has one herself and they really did not understand each other. So, yes get other opinions. My mom had three.
Sandi, you are one RAD woman!! I already told you that before and you never cease to amaze us! You ROCK! hugs to all, V

By JulieBee
Posted June 10, 2009 at 7:28 pm
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Sandy,
I'm a newbie here and this is my first post. Thank you for your inspirational words. My mom is 83 and just entering this world of lung cancer. And believe me in just 3 weeks we have seen the looks on the faces of doctors, friends and even family as if to say, " you are old, face it, it's over. Well, mom is a spunky 83-year-old and not ready to quit yet. She is in the midst of getting a second opinion in another city, and has been given a ray of hope, even if slight, that she may be a surgical candidate, and she is going for it. Who is to judge when life is worth fighting for? I can't even imagine what she or anyone else facing this is going through, and I respect each person's decision as to their own treatment decisions. You have just really touched me with your stories and sharing your hope and optimism. Thank you again.

Julie

By molar
Posted June 10, 2009 at 5:16 pm
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I also enjoy reading your posts. You have a way with words, a great sense of humor and a wonderful attitude. Thanks for sharing that inspirational story. I don't know if a positive attitude helps survival time, but I figure we might as well enjoy whatever time we have left instead about thinking about cancer all the time.

Sue M

By Barbell
Posted June 10, 2009 at 5:10 pm
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Sandy, you are such an inspiration and help to so many of us. I appreciate your post and thank you so much for caring for us. Having gone through so much and still being willing and able to encourage and share is a miracle in itself. May God bless you and continue to heal your body. I am thankful to God for your strength and for your willingness to share it with us. Love, Barbell (Judy)

By cuddles53
Posted June 10, 2009 at 11:10 am
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I am just so shocked at such wonderful responses I have received from all of you, I just can't say thank you enough, you truly have made my day, my week yet.
Love to all of you and as always I say God bless you. I never really thought things that I made comments about affected people this way, I am so happy that you think this way.
Sandy

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

Welcome to Inspire!

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