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Re: Re: ... (Reply to this comment)
by chaostamer
I see...I didn't think you wanted it to be beautiful, but when everyone else was claiming it was...Thanks for sharing that with me. I know some people that would benefit from your tips.
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Jan 18 '07
6:29 pm PST
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Re: ... (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
Maybe I'll edit the review some day. I guess, if I must, what got me though was writing. I wrote every day. I couldn't read (my favorite activity) and couldn't follow a television show much less an entire film. Writing and smiling were the only two things that got me through. Those, and the fact I desperately wanted to go back to college. I'm convinced that a positive mind-set is most important.
Thanks for stopping by. I guess I didn't want it to be beautiful. It's hard to write beautiful words for a disease which is not pretty.
Shelly.
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Jan 15 '07
7:15 am PST
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... (Reply to this comment)
by chaostamer
I can hardly call this beautiful. This is one of the more chilling narrative's I've read, and I'm definitely no stranger to cancer. Regardless, this essay is honest and eye-opening. If I may ask, what exactly helped you get through everything? For the benefit of others who've received such a diagnosis, I think you should explain what helped you become another success story.
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Jan 14 '07
6:43 pm PST
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Re: beautiful essay! (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
'Cuz I'll never win any money even if it comes down to me and another person ;)
Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate the comment.
Shelly.
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Dec 22 '06
3:44 am PST
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beautiful essay! (Reply to this comment)
by smorg
I've been fortunate that nobody in my family came down with cancer... yet.. Have seen many cancer patients, tho, since mom is radio-oncologist. You crab-beaters (what mom calls the cancer survivors) are a tough breed! Thanks for writing this! :O)
Hope all is going well and the Holidays are going merrily,
Smorg :O)
PS: Why 'the unluckiest girl in the world?'
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Dec 22 '06
1:25 am PST
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Re: Been there, too (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
Won't change my mind, I'm sure, but I'm always up for a good story ;)
In any case I appreciate you stopping by. We do have something in common. I can't imagine cancer in 1983. With every year treatments get so better. It's been 10 years since my own, and I can only imagine how good it has gotten.
Shelly.
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Nov 26 '06
5:37 am PST
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Been there, too (Reply to this comment)
by buffoonery
Chronic myoleogenous leukemia, diagnosed April 1983 while I was in law school. Had a bone marrow transplant that fall that nearly killed me.
Then, 15 years later I find out I contracted hepatitis C from the blood transfusions. That nearly killed me, too.
You say you're an atheist. I respect that. You should hear the story of my Hep C cure sometime, and maybe you'll change your mind.
Anyway, you and I have something in common that few others understand.
Best wishes,
buffoonery
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Nov 25 '06
9:45 am PST
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Wow (Reply to this comment)
by nlawr54761
I never knew you had cancer. I can't believe I've just found this. Even though this essay is old, I still commend you for your strength. The fact that you had cancer at 19 reminds me that even when you're young, you're still not immune to any disease. You're a strong person. :D
-Joel
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Oct 12 '06
8:26 pm PDT
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Shelly - (Reply to this comment)
by Ahab1973
Articles like this, I feel, are exactly what this section is intended for. Your story was very well written and although you said you didn't write it for pity, I had tears in my eyes as I read. I've never had to hear the "C" word from a doctor but have seen firsthand how cruel people can be. It's kind of hard to believe how many people are fair-weather friends. You don't really know who your true friends are until you need them.
I was just trying to imagine how I would have dealt with that if it'd happened to me at that age. I guess you do what you have to when you don't have a choice but I don't think I would have been as strong.
If it's any consolation, I have a brain disorder in which I've lost a great deal of my memories so I know how it feels to not be able to remember half of your life. I don't know whether to be thankful that I don't even remember what I've forgotten or not. Unfortunately, I never kept a journal or anything like that so my memories are just simply gone.
Anyway...thanks for sharing.
=Brian
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May 22 '06
6:59 pm PDT
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Re: Thank You (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
I wrote this for people like you to read. I honestly don't think that anybody who hasn't had cancer and chemo would understand all of the pain that goes into it outside of the obvious. It's not just about the cancer, it's about the whole chance in who you are.
I'm pleased you read this and got some solace in it. I was obviously just a tad bit older than you when diagnosed (19) but I think we do have a good deal in common.
Strangely enough, I'm grateful for my cancer. It made me who I am today--and I'm happy with that person.
Thank you for stopping by and making my morning a little more special. I promise--there will be a few very special people who will be your friends. You may not have a huge group (at least I don't) but there are a small handful of people who are there for you through thick and thin. Hey--I even managed to find the guy who would become my husband only a year and a half after finishing up chemo--extremely short hair and all!
Good luck in your recovery. I'll be crossing my fingers for you, Grace.
Shelly.
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Sep 08 '05
3:43 am PDT
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Thank You (Reply to this comment)
by hey_kool_thing
"...I underwent chemotherapy, watched my hair fall out from the root, bloated up from steroids, and lost my friends. Between the loss of hair and friends, the experience was pretty miserable..."
I believe you commented on a rating i did... But I must say, It's like you have captured in words the exact thoughts that have ran through my mind for two years in that paragraph... my name is Grace, and i'm 15 years old. when i was 13, at the end of summer 2003, i was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease...I lost my entire freshman year. I was 13-14, bald, ugly, sickly...every girls nightmare at that stage in life. i was someone who went from never having one surgery in my life to one that was constantly at the hospital, and having tests and procedures done. Dr.'s talked to me like i was an adult, and told me my risks of living and dying. I was utterly terrified. then i was told that i was in remission. well i got through half of 10th grade, and it happened again. Relapse. So it started all over again, only this time i was on steroids, needed radiation, and they took much greater measures. i've just finished a stem cell transplant this July, and to read this helped me to see that i am not the only teenage girl going through this. 4 surgeries, 8 scars, -5 or so friends, and countless tears later, once again i'm in remission, i just pray it stays that way this time.
Thank you for writing that, and i wish you the best of luck in life, because i know how much you deserve it. again, thank you.
much love,
-gRAcE
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Sep 07 '05
5:11 pm PDT
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Re: {{{Shelly}}} (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
Aw. Thank you so much.
Shelly.
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Sep 30 '04
12:17 pm PDT
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Re: Damn... (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
Actually, it got to me in the beginning. At first I couldn't handle it. After a while I just realized that I was going through something that very few people (esp. young people) get to experience in their lives. I knew I was going to be better for surviving.
Yes. I was upbeat even when I had cancer.
Shelly.
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Sep 30 '04
12:17 pm PDT
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{{{Shelly}}} (Reply to this comment)
by vemartin
Shelly,
I just read your story, and I have only a smile and hug to offer, and of course my understanding. I myself have Type II diabetes, and my wife has MS, yet our lives are incredibly rich despite it all, and I am glad you have found happiness in yours. You are a person of immense talent and courage, and I for one am thankful that you beat cancer and are here with us, a part of the Epinions community and the world. We would be less without you.
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Sep 27 '04
10:30 am PDT
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Re: Friends (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
I think my losing friends had a great deal to do with the point in my life I was at. I'd just began college as had everybody else around me. I think folks were more concerned with their own lives and having fun than dealing with the illness and mortality of one of their own.
But in the long run, the loss of friends--though harsh--was really for the better.
Thanks for the comment & best wishes to your son.
Shelly.
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Sep 27 '04
7:40 am PDT
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Friends (Reply to this comment)
by madaer
When my son was diagnosed with cancer at 7 months old, I didn't lose any friends- but I distanced myself, rather than them distancing themselves because all though they didn't ditch me, they were clueless. I had one friend that called me ten minutes after I called her to tell her the news. She called to ask me how to make lasagne. Another friend just called to say her son got a horrible haircut and her whole day was ruined because of it.
I didn't expect a parade, but I expected some support.
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Aug 28 '04
7:57 am PDT
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Re: I can't even imagine (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
I think we all deal with things differently. I'm not angry or thankful. Sounds strange I know. Rather I feel proud and as though I've climbed some major summit.
Cancer's just a nasty word in and of itself. It was bad enough to hear. But I always had hope...
Thanks again for the comment, Marsha.
Shelly.
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Oct 31 '03
4:35 am PST
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I can't even imagine (Reply to this comment)
by katmar
what I would do upon hearing the word "cancer". I think a large part of me might choose not to fight it. At least not as hard as you did. Maybe not at all.
I admire your courage so much, I can't even begin to tell you. And God bless your family, and the friends that did stand by you.
When they say you are cancer-free, it must bring much relief, but you lost things in that battle that can never be regained. I wonder if it makes you angry, or just thankful.
May you stay forever cancer free, and may all of those other wounds heal as well.
God bless you,
Marsha
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Oct 30 '03
8:15 pm PST
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Yes, It's amazing (Reply to this comment)
by ifif1938
the things you learn about one another on this remarkable site...I'm so happy you had such a good recovery and are here today to share so much with us...My wish for you is continued good health.
Barbara
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Oct 30 '03
9:12 am PST
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Re: !! (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
You are VERY welcome!
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Oct 29 '03
1:26 pm PST
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!! (Reply to this comment)
by _haggis_
I like it when sad stories have happy endings. Thanks for sharing.
Haggis
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Oct 29 '03
12:40 pm PST
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:) (Reply to this comment)
by pianomam
Hi Shelly!
Congratulations on your success! I notice you wrote this piece on my 41st birthday! I'm off to email you next!
Sincerely,
Debbie, the PianomaM :)
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Jun 01 '03
6:21 pm PDT
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I can't imagine what you have had to suffer (Reply to this comment)
by artbyjude
your courage is an inspiration. Stay well. Jude
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Oct 07 '02
12:18 am PDT
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Wow... (Reply to this comment)
by annecal
Thank you for sharing this story! A close friend of mine lost her first breast at 22 and her second at 30. Her story made me wake up and pay attention to my body and to do those self exams I thought I was too young to bother with.
I think your story is important to make others realize what can happen to your body, regardless of age, and what a stong person can overcome.
Annie
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Sep 26 '02
12:40 pm PDT
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Shelly~ (Reply to this comment)
by Lark729_89
This is what is so good about this category that Epinions has brought back to us. I recall when I first became a member and people were able to find comfort telling their stories. When they took that away from us, people were lost. They wanted to tell their stories.
I am so glad you are fine and that you told us your story. I have a sister-in-law who has been battling cancer since age 38 and she is now 44. Her optimistic attitude and family support have meant the world to her. She is the type of person I or anyone can call and have HER cheer you up with the pleasant attitude she has.
I wish you many many happy healthy years my Epinions-friend. Thanks again for sharing this with us.
God bless.
Carol
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Sep 14 '02
10:19 pm PDT
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Thank you (Reply to this comment)
by vinceneilsgirl
For being brave enough to share this with us. I am glad that you are here to do so! :)
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Sep 13 '02
11:36 pm PDT
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I feel lucky (Reply to this comment)
by pmills1210
My mother was a two-time cancer survivor, and my sister has been waging her own battle against breast cancer (she's gone through chemo and radiation and has had no relapse for over two years). Stories like yours will never get old. Thanks for sharing!
Sincerely, Pat
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Sep 12 '02
7:22 pm PDT
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Shelly, (Reply to this comment)
by bops_mom
you are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for sharing this; I've no doubt it wasn't easy for you to do.
"Shelly The Amazing!" :o)
Melissa
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Sep 12 '02
2:51 pm PDT
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Extremely well done... (Reply to this comment)
by WorkingMomof2
I've watched two sister-in-laws battle cancer, far younger than they should have. Both are cancer free today two. I've watched five other cancer battles in my family, and never knew just how to handle these as an outsider.
You are blessed, and your story is an inspiration, and helps give us perspective from the other side. I do agree, though - children at least ask questions that we as adults find "socially unacceptable" and awkward.
Thank you for sharing your story - it's touching, and helps immensely. You've touched me and I'm sure will touch and help many, many others with this as well. With warm thoughts and prayers,
Amy
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Sep 12 '02
1:18 pm PDT
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Thanks everybody! (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
So many great comments. Kinda makes me happy I wrote it...
Shelly.
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Sep 12 '02
4:25 am PDT
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