Another Rx for cancer: support
Mike and I celebrate our anniversary with a dinner out with our lovely daughter (the photographer).
I feel like I haven’t posted in a while. It has been busy around here. My husband and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary, and my brother Doug and his band-mate came to town from California and stayed with us. It was a lot of fun, and it reminded me of the importance of having connection with family and friends.
I am blessed to have a wonderful husband who has supported and loved me for so many years. Eight out of our 13 years, he has had a wife dealing with cancer. I know several women whose husbands couldn’t handle it, and their marriages broke up. Ours has gotten stronger. I know I wouldn’t be doing so well, and probably would not have written From Incurable to Incredible, if it weren’t for him.
All of this made me think about the role of support in cancer survivorship. It is one of the common themes I found when interviewing the survivors featured in my book. Steve Scott, a stage IV colon cancer survivor credited his marriage for wanting to carry on and was helped tremendously by attending the Wellness Community. Susan Farmer, a stage IV breast cancer survivor, credits her husband, friends and an organization called Hope in Bloom. Christine Dittmann, a stage IV ovarian cancer survivor, had a whole town supporting her when she was diagnosed right before Hurricane Katrina demolished her home and uprooted her life.
A 2006 study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that isolated women had an elevated risk of mortality after a diagnosis of breast cancer. They say it’s likely because of a lack of access to care, but I think there’s more to it than that. The ones who fared best had relatives, close friends, adult children or a formal support group that helped them in many ways.
I’ve mentioned that I am now a board member of Pink Ribbon Girls, a support group for young breast cancer survivors. Every Mother’s Day, Pink Ribbon Girls sends flowers to the mothers of members who have passed away. Today, we received a thank-you from the mother of Jennifer O’Neil, a member who died around the time I was first diagnosed.
Jennifer was there for me when as I lay in a hospital bed, so sick that I was thinking of not continuing chemo. She called me and encouraged me to keep going. As a board member, she was there for me and so many others. I want to continue this tradition by serving on the board and writing my book and blog. We all need to have someone who can say, “Stick with it; you can do it!” And I find that by being that person, I’m helping myself, too.
I often say that the people in my book are like an extended support group for me. And I’m hoping that other people will feel that way, too. It won’t be long! I just completed reviewing the final proof, so it should be ready to roll in a few weeks. Thanks for your support!
Support is good medicine | Pink Ribbon Girls says:
[...] and talk about some of the wonderful ways PRG supports its members and families on my blog today at http://www.tamiboehmer.com/2010/05/another-rx-for-cancer-support/. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Support is good medicine", url: [...]
Pattie Noel says:
I agree wholeheartedly! The support of my family and church the first two times I was diagnosed back in 1999 and 2002 were critical. Especially the 2nd time around. It was so much harder emotionally.
I also wanted to be there for other women and needed the continued support after treatment. I joined Pink Ribbon Girls in 2003. They have supported me through meetings, education and fun events and I have had the privilege of supporting others which is such a blessing. I am grateful for the many friendships that have formed through this wonderful group of caring and inspiring women.
In 2008 diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer I was the one needing support again. My husband, family, friends, Pink Ribbon Girls, church and Women of Hope (a women’s cancer prayer support group) came through again. Receiving phone calls, cards, emails and visits mean so much and truly strengthen our resolve to keep fighting and motivates to live well.
Thank you for your friendship and support, Tami! I can’t wait to read and re-read your book of inspiration.
Cervical Cancer Statistics Who | mesothelioma treatments blog says:
[...] Another Rx for cancer: support: studies, Pink Ribbon Girls, The … [...]
Chrissy says:
This is touching, Mom!
I’ve never really read your blog posts that much, but I should definatly start! So excited for the book; can’t wait to read it. Good luck!
tom says:
Pink Ribbon has become a big question and matter of discussion around the world. Breast cancer can come in various forms like IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Though it’s a rare type of cancer but it has great impact on society.