I'll Be Back

Ah.  I'll be on the road less traveled starting today. On retreat, on the lam, off the grid, on vacation. Unplugged and uncharted. But not unhinged or unhappy.
        I've already ordered a few books to read and a new pair of walking shoes. The heels have been totally worn down in the pair I'm wearing.  I'll also pick up a small notebook for writing.  That's it.  I even have a new 'vavoom' dress. All I'll need is some red lipstick.
        While I'd like to say I'll take a vacation from thinking about cancer I doubt that will happen. As my circles deepen I know more and more women who are newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, and one has ended treatment. A woman with a daughter and hundreds of students and people who love her.  That's the story of cancer.
        We need to continue to change the narrative of this disease.
        While I'm gone Alicia Staley will moderate the #BCSM tweetchat on Monday, August 8.   I know there are tons of topics to cover.  Would you do us a favor and jot some of them below?
         See you on Monday, August 13.   I'll be back.        

Our Families, Our Friends, Ourselves

My sister and co-survivor.

When I was diagnosed with cancer it wasn't just about me.  My husband was part of the diagnosis.  My sister was.  

         And so were my friends, an incredible group of women that immediately organized to share helping with rides, food, errands, and "fly-overs" when they'd stop by on their lunch hour with flowers or a bowl of soup during the week following chemo.

         I was spoiled rotten, in other words.

         But I certainly can't say that was the case for my husband or sister, or my friends, even.

         I had glimpses....looks I caught on my husband's face when he didn't think I was watching; or the moment I had to screw up my courage to call my sister and tell her that I had cancer.  She was newly separated, and a working mother.  Her son was three.

Steve & I at Peyton's Felicity Farm.

        The demands of their lives didn't stop because I had cancer. They multiplied. 

         And treatment can go on for a long time.

        The question becomes:  how can we truly help the entire family - whatever its make-up happens to be.  A brochure on "Caregiver Burnout" doesn't really go the distance for those who are in the trenches with us and are carrying the load while we can't.

        Let's talk about this tonight on #BreastCancerSocialMedia tweetchat beginning at 9 p.m.   These are tough issues in my book, and I'm looking forward to hearing what helped you and yours, what didn't, and what we can do to change that.