How did everyone get here?

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Permalink Reply by Doreen on April 1, 2008 at 12:52pm

Hi Nina,
what a great project. To answer the question about how women are finding each other starts I think with the willingness first to find a community. I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2000, and somehow I found out about CancerLifeline (Seattle), and it's colon cancer support group. There I met 4 women my age going through the same thing. Read about us here: http://cca.convio.net/site/TRC/Events/General?pg=feditor&fr_id=...
We became fast friends and began to see each other outside of the formal group. 8 years later, we are still going strong. I can't imagine my life without them.
It is important I think to find a community who believes in the possibility of healing. I went to the support group initially to find that--a collective energy that could sustain me--more than I could do alone. And in doing so, I became aware of our interconnectedness, and that the removal of suffering on one level effects all levels. This lead to my first "Healing Journeys" conference, and if you are a cancer patient, and you are in an auditorium of hundreds of people like you, and the moderator in the opening ceremony asks all those who have outlived their prognosis to stand up, and half of the auditorium does, It is a jubilant feeling!

Then I found this crazy, sexy group after reading Kris Carr's book, and visiting her web page. I love the diversity of this community, and the knowledge shared. I also connect with other colon cancer survivors through CCAlliance. I attended their national conference in Baltimore this past October. I now live in a new community and have joined new groups here, and am trying to start my own colon cancer group. All this has surprised me at the number of people living with cancer, and opened my eyes to the suffering that anyone endures that has a chronic illness. My heart has been split wide open.

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Permalink Reply by Nina on April 1, 2008 at 8:36pm

Thank you for sharing your story with me! I especially love what you said about the importance of finding a community that believes in the possibility of healing. I will absolutely check out your website. Much gratitude!

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Engstler on April 1, 2008 at 12:58pm

Hi Nina,
i first found out about Crazy Sexy Cancer through my therapist at CancerCare, and from there i found this great community. im sure everyone, like myself, has so much to say and share about their journey here-i know i could easily write a book! i have a rare cancer called GIST- which i found out recently is the pediatric/wild-type, apparently drugs dont work too well on my tumors..so im doing all that i can to make myself be around for a lot longer and have been immensely inspired by Kris Carr. i cant begin to tell you how many people in the medical profession told me "diet has no effect on your cancer" and it was very hard for me to swallow that. seeing her documentary was a huge eye opener-i wish every doctor and nurse in the world could see it.

its very comforting to be amongst others who know exactly what you are going through, and supporting you.
staying as positive as you can makes an impact on every aspect of your life, and its easier to be that way when you are here. i love reading the recipes and the many different topics that are going on-there is always something to be learned here.

please feel free to contact me directly if youd like to discuss more-im always willing to talk about it.
jennifer

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Permalink Reply by Deborah (Skyecat) on April 1, 2008 at 1:04pm

hi jennifer,

i do not have the little c, but feel that what kris carr has created here is applicable to anyone who has dealt with it in their family, friends, etc. we all have been touched by it in one way or another. i find that the people in this group are a family, caring, belive in healthful living...have tips galore for continued healthful living and are just plain awesome.

i heard about crazy sexy cancer while searching different magazines online and there was a reference to the site. i have been hooked ever since.

what a posse this is with kris and brian as fearless leaders. i have learned so much and stop by everyday.

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Permalink Reply by Diana on April 1, 2008 at 1:03pm

Hello Nina. Welcome to the best place if you or anyone has cancer in their life. I found this site after watching Crazy Sexy Cancer and fromher explaining this web site. Oh My GOD. I am not alone! Everyone else gets the stomach before the scan that can take you to such a deep place you can't imagine. But these people do. My husband use to sit right next to me during some of my treatments and wink in the silence and it warmed my heart, But no one unless they have gone threw these treatments or surgeries can feel like you do. They can understand, show compassion, love you but it's your body that they are doing all these things to. But I could not have gone threw it without them, having so many people on this site is the icing on the cake so to say. These people have been there, aregoing there, have had lovedloves there only to pass away and they need us too. We are a special people we are. Who would ever think something like this could bring together from all over so many hearts willing to share their most painful scary moments. That is why I am here. Also the new information you learn everyday. Everyone on here has something important to share that may help save you. I honor these people with my heart. They have a spirit that is so bright you can feel it threw the screen. If I can help let me know. Good Luck and Peace oh yea, FUCK CANCER Diana

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Permalink Reply by Nina on April 1, 2008 at 8:41pm

Thank you! I love the reasons you say you are here; I also think it's so amazing that so many people are coming together to share the amazing and painful things about their cancer experiences. Would you be open to answering some more questions if I sent some to you in a message?

Peace and gratitude!

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Permalink Reply by Becca in Austin on April 2, 2008 at 8:26am

Nina,
I was referred to this web site by a friend who is in to the raw food diet. That's how I ended up here and it has been a daily blessing ever since. It is true that those not touched by cancer cannot receive our information nor respond in the same way that other fighter/survivors can. Here we can get the compassion and empathy we need as well as valuable information about how to fight and keep our chins up!

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Permalink Reply by Becca in Austin on April 1, 2008 at 1:55pm

Hi Nina,
Great concept for a research project. I remember when I first visited my oncologist's clinic. I was absolutely blown away by the number of patients there! I had never been touched by cancer and had no idea how wide-spread it is. I was floored! I also had no idea how it alters every aspect of your life, your perspective, your relationships, your priorities. Anyway, I am now a six-year survivor of breast cancer and have moved on to the role of caretaker for my husband. He has "survived" stage IV head and neck cancer but is very damaged by both cancer and the treatment and though his cancer has been in remission since last June, he is still near death, battling constant aspiration pneumonia. So the last almost two years of my life has been about helping him through his cancer. And I have to admit that mine was a picnic compared to his. I would be happy to talk to you further in any way you choose. Just let me know if you have specific questions or just want to chat and how we can get together.
Becca in Austin

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Permalink Reply by Lauren a.k.a Lau on April 1, 2008 at 2:51pm

Hi Nina,

I found Kris Carr's documentary amazing...and little did I know I had cancer.
A month later, I was biopsied and was suddenly brought into the hell we know as cancer.

I was afraid, alone and in my mind 'way too young to have cancer.' I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer... It took a few months for it to sink in and accept my diagnosis. When I finally did, I decided I was going to make the best of things. I found Kris' site, met some wonderful people and continue to live every day as best as I can. My cancer is just a speed bump in the road of life, or a reminder that I am human. Every day I repeat Winston Churchill's quote, "Without courage, all other virtues lose their meaning." It reminds me to be strong. And that is how I am going to beat my cancer and live the best life I can.

Message me if you have any more questions!

-Lauren <3

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Permalink Reply by Nina on April 1, 2008 at 8:46pm

Thank you Lauren! I'd love to send you some more questions in a message in the next few days. What you said about cancer being a reminder that you are human is AMAZING. Thank you for sharing that! I'll be in touch. Thank you again!

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Permalink Reply by Nina on April 1, 2008 at 8:48pm

Hi Everyone! Thanks to those who have responded and those who may in the future! Since so many of you have already mentioned that you came to this site because you saw Kris's movie, I'm wondering -- how did you all come upon the movie? It's how I heard about this site as well. I just happened to flip channels to TLC and now I'm writing a paper on this. I think it was meant to be. Thank you everyone for sharing!

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Permalink Reply by the gaudy goddess on April 1, 2008 at 10:46pm

I feel you were led to the project just as we were all led here.  It's hard to find community in your own life that understands what you are going through.  I was diagnosed at a time when all of my friends were/are going through such trivial things...and it's hard for me to relate with them and visa versa.  It really can put a strain on relationships that have been strong for a really long time...Not to mention that the whole spiritual growth thing goes into play and then suddenly you feel you've outgrown everyone around you.  Its nice to come here and you can say with one sentence what is going on....like "i have a thryroid biopsy tomorrow." and everyone rallies around you and gives all this love and support.  In your real world community, I don't feel that from my peers.  It's like we don't talk about it because it makes everyone remember that I'm sick.  It makes them feel like they don't get the attention on their "dramas" because it pales in comparision.  It also has to do with maturity.....not alot of people in their twenties and thirties have to face this stuff with family, let alone themselves....so when you find its you dealing with it and there is no one else in your group....you start looking for others like you to build friendships with. I remember my first trip to meet my first oncologist....the average age in the room was in its late 60's and I thought how could I possibly have anything in common with these people. Even more disheartening was that when you are surrounded by older patients, they seem to be passive in their treatment....almost like they are waiting for death to come and that is what they are resigned to. I'm a very active participant in my treatment. I want to be aggressive just as the cancer is aggressive. I don't want it to define me....I am in control of how it all goes down and I am in control of how people are going to remember the life that I lived. The joke in my family is how some people talk in a "cancer" voice. Ya know, like almost a whisper when we say it. That's how some generations before mine dealt with the little c......I don't want to go out like that. Yes, I have cancer. I am young...I am quirky. I like rock music and sometimes dress crazy......We are not like the cancer generations before us, and I think that is exactly whats gonna make us thrive. Thanks so much for coming here to get info....you can visit my page and you can also visit my blog at http://thegaudygoddess.blogspot.com/

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