Re: Sad or funny? - responding to Joe

[Guest guest]

Joe -

This statement is one I made. I am speaking of people who don't have cancer and

say 'I would never do such and such'. I have had many people say to me 'if I had

cancer I would do what you're doing'. I've also had people say 'I know what

you're experiencing' when they don't have cancer at all. I'm simply saying one

can't relate to this feeling until they experience it. It's wonderful you knew

what you wouldn't do right away, but not everyone can say that. I don't see how

saying this would turn members away. I think some may find comfort in knowing

others have walked the same path of confusion as I did initially.

We have to be careful to not drive people away who choose to do primarily

traditional treatments who come here to learn about alternatives and possibly

change their therapy. We also should not be judging each other's posts and

making assumptions as to what may or may not drive someone away.

If we read between the lines of many of these posts, we are all saying the same

thing. Education is key. For those of us who have been on the journey longer, we

hold a responsibility to put information forth to those who may not know as

much.

Information IS key - but in the end each individual has to make their own

decision in their choice of treatment.

I am not afraid of cancer and I don't 'fight' it everyday of my life. I am not

afraid of death. But it took me a long time, with the help of alot of people,

sharing everything about their own cancer experience, to get to this place.

It's my responsibility to try and help others get to this place of peace however

I can, because this peace is what's gotten me to where I'm at today. I mostly do

private emails with other members, but I felt compelled to post today about the

situation with the milk shakes. There is no room for judgment or shame to anyone

whose facing cancer or comes to these boards.

There may be some who don't resonate with my posts, but I know there are some

that do.

peace to you,

cathy

>

> Another example of a statement that does not always apply was, " until one

hears the words you have cancer they don't know what they will do " That did

not fit my situation, and probably many others, because I immediately knew I

would not do Chemotherapy or radiation. Period. It is the absolute statement

that might throw people off and in some cases, turns people off and they leave

the list because of some such statement.

>

> Today I learned something from 's post and that can only help some of

us because as he once said and which I have never forgotten, " Information is

your best friend " . One thing I can absolutely state and that is, I am not

absolutely sure about everything to do with Cancer.

>

> Joe C.

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>