tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757387388608137930.post4180564506973402263..comments2023-11-15T23:49:22.421-05:00Comments on The Big C and Me: CANCER? AIN'T NO GIFTRennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08617626526633867494noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757387388608137930.post-12834970121013108422012-12-24T05:10:56.479-05:002012-12-24T05:10:56.479-05:00Renn, this is so well written from the heart, so v...Renn, this is so well written from the heart, so very honest...Launna https://www.blogger.com/profile/09447311902825477772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757387388608137930.post-54000255352097319662012-12-21T11:24:03.093-05:002012-12-21T11:24:03.093-05:00dear renn thank you for understanding my intention...dear renn thank you for understanding my intentions...and friends of renn...thanks for educating me more and more with each new blog. i think, with not being in your shoes...i struggle with wanting to make things better in some small way...and since there is absolutely nothing i, as an outsider, can really do (except to listen, really listen)...i shared what i, myself, do when faced with my own version of horrible times. i hear you...and i love you... and i pray, wish, and visualize for your healthy, healed, happy wonderful self. always your kindergarten friend, mAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757387388608137930.post-36253733544376122962012-12-17T21:13:39.924-05:002012-12-17T21:13:39.924-05:00You nailed it. It's no gift. I lost my husband...You nailed it. It's no gift. I lost my husband, mother, sister-in-law, and aunt to cancer all within 1 year. My 3 children were robbed of their father and other key people in their lives before my youngest was even in school. People constantly told me how inspiring we were, lucky to be given the opportunity to find such wisdom, etc. Seriously? Lucky? We made the best of the time we had, but we always felt those sights on us, always felt the hunter's presence even when we were laughing. That's no gift. The true gift is never facing cancer, remaining blissfully ignorant of it. Thank you for saying it straight out.(I blogged similar thoughts when a close friend was diagnosed as my loved ones were in decline: http://is.gd/d4wrhO)Michelle Drabik (distortiongirl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17412133308772959517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757387388608137930.post-79192125630716956662012-12-12T21:36:44.441-05:002012-12-12T21:36:44.441-05:00I've always thought of it as the Stalker. xoxo...I've always thought of it as the Stalker. xoxo, KathiThe Accidental Amazonhttp://accidentalamazon.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757387388608137930.post-29194733265323670812012-12-12T21:24:38.337-05:002012-12-12T21:24:38.337-05:00Renn, this post is extraordinary. Cancer is certai...Renn, this post is extraordinary. Cancer is certainly no gift, in my opinion. It's a horrifying disease that robs, steals, maims, kills....<br /><br />My life is richer after cancer because I realize how precious life is. But that was because I was open to an attitude and life change. I did that, not cancer.<br /><br />I love this posting; the deer hunter analogy is horrifyingly true. All the things you said really hit home with me. Thank you for writing this piece. I will be sharing it.Beth Gainerhttp://www.bethgainer.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757387388608137930.post-29864046943556828102012-12-12T20:29:07.031-05:002012-12-12T20:29:07.031-05:00If breast cancer is a gift, I'm not exactly cr...If breast cancer is a gift, I'm not exactly crazy about the wrapping paper. My "gift" looks like a two year old wrapped it, then sat on it.<br /><br />Since I have cancer of the terminal variety, I can't think of it as a gift. Three years ago, I was blissfully ignorant of my mortality, imagining my son's high school graduation and future weddings. Now, I am making lists of things I want people to have after my death, and who knew I had so little to, um...gift? I do appreciate my remaining life more, without a doubt. I am able to ignore the pain more because I still want to enjoy what's left for me to enjoy. I am glad I am able to let me family know they are precious to me. I am glad to know that my fear of death is not overwhelming and that I am able to function and laugh, knowing time is short.<br /><br />But, is cancer a gift? No. Cancer is a disease. Learning that I am strong enough to handle it may be a gift, but I also could have learned about my strength without having paperwork that says I have a year to live. <br /><br />Maybe by changing a tire or something.<br /><br /><br /><br />ButDoctorIHatePinkhttp://www.butdoctorihatepink.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757387388608137930.post-5107029383649108262012-12-12T17:14:42.839-05:002012-12-12T17:14:42.839-05:00Hi Renn, This is really good. I'll be sharing ...Hi Renn, This is really good. I'll be sharing it soon on my Facebook page. (are you on there yet?) You are right on!<br /><br />Interesting comment there above. I admire this person for being so accepting. I really do. I agree that all of our experiences make up who we are. I agree it's all about choice - we move through the challenges of life in the best way we can. I am grateful for the people I've met, (like you, Renn), and the new paths I've discovered since my diagnosis, but the words "cancer is a gift" will never come from my lips. They just won't.<br /><br />Thanks for letting me go on a bit. And thanks for writing. And thanks so much for mentioning Nancy's Point! You're a dear of a different kind! ha.<br /><br />Nancy's Pointhttp://www.nancyspoint.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757387388608137930.post-65865841137945528282012-12-12T11:09:43.814-05:002012-12-12T11:09:43.814-05:00dear renn...of course any life threatening illness...dear renn...of course any life threatening illness is not a "gift"...i don't think people mean it in that sense. nor is any devastating event in ones life (loss of a loved one, loss of home & other cherished items, loss of self etc...)a "gift". <br /><br />its extremely arrogant for someone who is not the person going through the horrible event to call it a gift.... <br /><br />however....i do think...if you are the one who is going through this terrible event....then your own state of mind might surely affect your spirit, your attitude, your feelings, your mind, and ultimately your body..... then it might be possible to stand back and accept this devastating "reality" with some perspective that might open a door for some (and i know you hate this word) gratitude.<br /><br />it's not "tricking" your mind....or pretending to be grateful, or making believe that this illness has been a "gift".....(like stewart smalley looking into a mirror and saying, "i'm worth it!") our insides know when we are faking it....<br /><br />but it might be about making a "choice"<br />i think with some perspective, and it might just be me....i find that everything i have gone through....ultimately is part of the picture that makes up my life....just as it is today (good & bad)....and in that sense, because i can count my blessings...i can feel grateful and accept my circumstances....<br /><br />therefor allowing only me, only me, to consider my pain as a "gift". and, for me, how i choose to see things...affects my insides (easy for me to say, since i am not aware of a devastating illness within my body)<br /><br />sending you all my love and respect,<br />mAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com