Breast Cancer Co-Survivors

[SewCrafty]

While this article was written for breast cancer co-survivors, it's message can work with any type of cancer.

There are as many ways of being a co-survivor as there are people! Thoughtful gestures big and small mean so much to survivors, whether they’ve just been diagnosed or completed treatment years ago. Thanks for the strength, love and support you show in ways big and small by being a co-survivor.



What can I do? What can I say?


Is someone you know battling breast cancer or stepping back into “normal” life after treatment? Sometimes it’s hard knowing what to say or do. Handy fact sheets and breast cancer information about the disease and its emotional impact can help you reach out and meet the real needs of a survivor.

New! Learn how friends, co-workers and neighbors can join together to assist your loved one in their time of need by creating a private online group calendar at lotsahelpinghands.com.



Help me understand what you’re going through


Breast cancer is complex and baffling. It changes lives, relationships, goals and priorities. Information outlining what you might expect along the way is very important in traveling the breast cancer journey alongside a friend or loved one. Information and fact sheets guide your way.



Sharing your story – connecting with other co-survivors


As a co-survivor, you provide much-needed support for your loved one’s fight against breast cancer. You need support, too. By sharing your story and connecting with other co-survivors, you can be part of a group connected by strength, hope and love.

Stories of support
Strength comes in numbers. Read stories of hope and encouragement from co-survivors and breast cancer survivors, and share your story to help inspire others.

Message boards – talk with others
You are not alone. Every three minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. Each diagnosis affects everyone in that person’s life. The co-survivor message board (“Family and Friends”) is a place for you to share ideas and support with people who know how you feel.

Read more about it at http://www.komen.org/intradoc-cgi/id...GE&nodeId=1013

[Darlene]

Thanks for the info Dee, many times people don't know what to say or do....
So very glad you are a survivor

[SewCrafty]

I agree Darlene, while I never minded questions about my cancer, a lot of people are uncomfortable asking or answering questions about cancer. They feel like it is a taboo subject, when in reality you wouldn't hesitate to ask someone who is diabetic or has high blood pressure questions about the disease or how to help. All 3 have the same thing in common, if not treated properly, they can kill.

So please if you have questions of someone with cancer either about the disease itself or how you can help them, just ask! The worst they can do is shut you out, but that means you just try harder.

Also a couple of the best things for me was Mom cooking and bringing the food up to me. Cooking smells made me sick to my stomach during chemo. It is only in the last month or so that Jack has been able to eat onion bagels again, they smelled like rotting meat to me while going through chemo and long afterwards. Also Jack being my chaufer (sp) as I was tired all the time from the treatments.

Maybe small things but a huge help to someone going through recovery from surgery and treatments. Every little bit helps.

Thank you Darlene!

[canadian gardener]

Oh Dee thanks for that. I have 2 survivors of that breast cancer in my ladies bible study that I teach, and one mother of another one, now gone. Most members have someone who is either struggling with cancer, over come it, and it's a great thing to share.