Being in the same boat helps keep it afloat
Excuse all the boat analogies!
I admit that when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, I wasn’t a big fan of support groups. At the first one I attended, the conversation focused on chemo’s terrible side effects. I hadn’t started treatment yet, so all it did was scare and depress me.
Luckily I soon found Pink Ribbon Girls (PRG), which seemed like it was made for me. Their mission says it all: Pink Ribbon Girls are young breast cancer survivors, who are encouraged by their shared experiences, to educate and inspire others to grow and live beyond breast cancer.
Yesterday I had lunch with Pattie and Connie, two PRGs I’ve know for many years. Like me, they recently had stage IV recurrences, have a strong sense of faith and will to survive. While I love all my PRG friends, there is something about “being in the same boat” that makes our relationship special.
We know what it’s like to wait on a scan results and how prayer and staying in the moment helps anxiety. We share our disdain for statistics and dire medical predictions, yet have a strong sense of hope that a cure is at hand. We buoy each other up when at times it seems our boat will sink.
In a few minutes, I’m leaving to meet another friend, Nevine, my ”partner-inc-crime” on this cancer journey. I’ve mentioned Nevine in previous posts and our remarkably similar circumstances and response to them. We met at the Wellness Community, another great organization. See http://www.tamiboehmer.com/2009/10/obstacles-as-opportunities/ .
Like Pattie, Connie and the Miracle Survivors I’ve come to know through my book, we are helping each other navigate these sometimes choppy waters. I feel so grateful for having these wonderful people in my life.
Nevine says:
and I grateful to have you in mine. we will keep floating until we reach shore. and we will reach shore.
Sally says:
and both of your journeys will provide the light for many others, both those you know and those you don’t know. Your positive, healing energy allows others to experience peace and joy.
Debby says:
Nevine is my heart. I’m sure you would be also. I have shared your blog with my Central New Jersey Wellness Community. They are going to share it with their advanced BC group so see, your audience is growing.
tamilb says:
Thanks Debby for passing along my blog to your support group! Someday we will meet. And thanks Sally and Nevine for being such great and positive friends!