Very Important - A Fellow Cc'er Needs Our Positive Thoughts
Lounge By TracyLH Updated 23 Jan 2009 , 7:17pm by SweetDreamsAT
Joanne, I have never had the opportunity to meet you, but my thoughts & prayers are with you and your family. Keep your chin up! & never underestimate the power of positive thinking!
Joanne, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones. I pray for God to place his healing hands upon you and to be with you every step. Keep up your hope, faith, and prayers. Talk about and express your thoughts and feelings with your family, friends, doctor or your CC family...even write them down. If you feel like crying, screaming, being mad...then express it, you have every right to feel those things and to express them. Just as important as it was for me to know of my family & friends feelings & thougths, it was just as important to them to know mine and not to store it up inside.
I was told Christmas 2006 (another type of cancer, not BC), it took one year and surgery twice to fight that battle. I go soon for another check up, and if all is well...I don't have to go back for another year. Stay strong and remenber you have lots of people holding you in their hearts and prayers.
I look at all the survivors and support on this thread, it's people like you all that help others to stay strong and keep a positive attitude during times like this... and it's the sharing of your stories that help give people, hope & faith and I know it will be helpful to Joanne and her family also.
God Bless and be with you and your family,
Sharon
Dear Joanne,
I'm sorry to hear about your news. My husband's family has seen a lot of cancer among them. His maternal grandfather died of rectal cancer. His maternal aunt and uncle both were diagnosed with cancer this year - his uncle died within a few months, but his aunt is doing incredibly well. They are a very praying family. The reason I'm bringing all this up is because their attitude seems to have had a lot to do with how things turned out for each of them. Although his grandfather died before I even met my husband, I was very close to his aunt and his uncle. His uncle kind of just accepted that it was over and was at peace with it, but his aunt has always had a fighting attitude.
A few months ago, we visited his aunt and spent time with her. She is an AMAZING woman! She has always been saying "It's hard, but God is faithful and I will get my testimony." She has lost a lot of weight and she's had a hard time with chemo, but she really honestly looks so radiant, like she has a secret source of peace. She says she listens to only positive words from people. If anyone starts to feel sorry for her and make her feel "woe is me", she tells them she is doing very well and changes the topic. And then she avoids them in the future. It's too hard to try and keep a positive attitude if people around you insist on reminding you how terrible all this is and you truly ought to just curl up and ... Every night, before bed, she plays the song "How Great is Our God" and reminds herself over and over that God is bigger than cancer so she'll eventually be ok, she just needs to get through this bit by bit. She has specific people she's close to that she calls when it's too hard and she needs to just tell someone how she's feeling. She knows they'll know to just be there to listen or to speak encouragement if that's what she needs. She also has times when she "verbally attacks" the cancer as if it was a person and just yells at it and tells it off. Every time anyone has spoken a Bible verse to her, she writes it down and ahe reads all of them and recites them when she needs a boost.
I know I cannot relate to how you're feeling or what you are going through, but I hope sharing what I've seen and heard from my husband's aunt will help you in some way. I prayed for you tonight and I hope you'll have everything you need physically, spiritually, financially and emotionally to beat this. Love to you and your family.
Sending my prayers for you and your family Joanne. I am also sending tons of hugs and happy thoughts too. Be strong. I will be thinking of you everyday!!!!
JOANNE UPDATE:
I know many of you are concerned about Joanne and want to know what is happening. One hurdle has been crossed in the that bone scan came back clear which is wonderful to say the least. In the CAT scan testing, they found suspicious lymph nodes in another area and she will be going for a specialized PET scan next Wednesday. Unfortunately, they cant do it sooner as they share equipment with another hospital. If (fingers crossed this is not the case) the suspicious lymph nodes are an issue, she will do chemo first and then surgery.
It is rather rough for her right now, but she very sincerely appreciates everyones support. You really are friends to her. It is just too hard for her right now to respond herself, but she will in time. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers and I will post more information as it comes available. Thankyou again for your prayers, postive thoughts and for your messges posted to her. This will help her during such a difficult time.
JOANNE UPDATE:
I know many of you are concerned about Joanne and want to know what is happening. One hurdle has been crossed in the that bone scan came back clear which is wonderful to say the least. In the CAT scan testing, they found suspicious lymph nodes in another area and she will be going for a specialized PET scan on Monday. If (fingers crossed this is not the case) the suspicious lymph nodes are an issue, she will do chemo first and then surgery. Again, hopefully this is not the case and she can just get the surgery done right away.
It is rather rough for her right now, but she very sincerely appreciates everyones support. You really are friends to her. It is just too hard for her right now to respond herself, but she will in time. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers and I will post more information as it comes available. Thankyou again for your prayers, postive thoughts and for your messges posted to her. This will help her during such a difficult time.
I have definately had the pleasure of meeting Joanne. We had so much fun gabbing over cookies.
You are in my prayers and thoughts!!! Let me know if there's ANYTHING I can help out with!
Dawn
posting again Joanne that you are and have been in my daily prayers since I read the post. Please keep your chin up and stay focused. The Lord will bring you through this in his terms and in his time. God bless you my baking buddy!
Joanne, may God speed you through this and bring you healing and peace. I am also praying for your family. Hugs to you.
Joanne,
Take it one minute at a time. I have had 2 dear friends as well as my sister fight BC and they are all survivors!!! My sister had a double masectomy and this spring will celebrate her 5 year anniversary. You are in my thoughts and prayers, stay strong 
SueW
Dear dear sisters here at CC, that is how I've come think of all of you. To say that I am overwhelmed by your touching and heartfelt wishes and stories, is an understatement. I cannot even put into words what your well wishes, advice, and personal stories have meant to me. I decided today was the day to "brave" it and glance at the post that Tracy was so kind to write for me. I had NO idea that 7 pages later, I would be moved to tears by your responses. I wish that I could respond to each and everyone of you individually, but cannot do so at this time. All I can do is thank you from the bottom of my heart for "being there." My latest little "bump in the road" having my surgery postponed while I await the new PET scan, did cause me despair the day I found out, and I DID allow myself to feel bad on that day, but I tried my best, and bounced back the best I could. Luckily, my doctor's office phoned me to let me know that the new scan was moved up from Wednesday of next week to Monday! So that's two days earlier which is good news. After the new scan has been reviewed, I will be told whether surgery can be rescheduled, or chemo will have to start. Whatever the outcome, I'm ready to fight the battle, and I WILL WIN! There is no other option for me! I have three beautiful daughters, 23, 21, and 19, a loving husband, two sisters, and a mom that will be there with me every step of the way. Not to mention an entire elementary school praying for my quick return. I will dearly miss my fourth grade classroom, and I am praying it will not be too long before I'm standing before them again...hair or NO hair! Hey, how many students can say they had a bald fourth grade teacher! 
I will keep fighting this fight of my life, and knowing that I have all of YOU on my side, I already feel like a WINNER!
God bless each and every one of you, you will always hold a special place in my heart.
Love,
Joanne
Hey Joanne... Yes, you are already a winner now you just have to hold on to that winning place, and you will cause your a fighter. You have to much to fight for, like that wonderful family you just spoke of, and all those students waiting for you ! You go girl!!!
So glad to have you post. Your post made me realize how much you want to beat this! I am proud of you for your passion to fight it for all of those you love! Your 4th grade class will never forget you, not because you "might" be bald, but because of your drive. I am continuing to pray for you, and will mention it in Sunday School this weekend.... I know the Lord is on your side!!!!! God bless you Joanne, may His grace and mercy shine on you today and everyday!
Joanne- The delays and uncertainties that come with BC are hard. It is OK to to be a puddle of tears at times- it is just part of the territory. To be strong, upbeat and fight to survive is important, but being scared, frustrated and just plain angry are part of it too.
Get connected with a BC survivors or patients group- women who have been there, done that- they get it. They live daily with the scars, side effects etc. Most of them have a sense of humor and some bizarre stories. My story involves the look on the the face of the policeman who stopped me on the way to a radiation appointment. I wasn't wearing my seat belt and he asked why. I told him I had breast surgery the week before, and I was headed to hospital for radiation. The poor guy just looked stunned, then spluttered that I didn't need to show him. He quickly warned me to wear the seat belt and couldn't get away from my car fast enough. I really wasn't planing on flashing him, but he obviously thought I might.
I will say a prayer for Joann for a good outcome. Be strong and know that even a stranger cares.
Joanne - You truly inspire me in SO many ways! We will all be with you in your fight and together we will all celebrate each victory! As for the hair, remember that both of my friends much preferred the way their grew back in! After years of thin, wirey straight hair, Kimberly has been thrilled with her thick, beautiful hair that grew back in and Jill's looks great as well! So much so, that she went from her characteristic ear-length to shoulder-length to really show her new hair off!
Again, I am proud and inspired by your fighting spirit! 
You really are amazing! 
Joanne. My heart goes out to you. I'm a survivor of another form. I just know you're a fighter!
I know I cried, Why me, Lord? What did I do to deserve this nasty disease? Then I was astonished by all the love and support from friends and family, and friends I didn't know I had, and I cried again, Why me, Lord? What did I do to deserve all this love and support!
All my prayers to you!
It's not surprising how all these CC members would wish you all the best and keep you in their prayers. Few of us have met, or ever will, but we're still a community and we care about our own. So I repeat my wishes to you for a speedy and complete recovery.
And Peeverly....all the best to you! I'll be pulling for you, too!
Joanne I know you don't know me but I will be praying for you and know you will come out of this just fine. My older sister had breast cancer and had to have one breast removed and go through chemo and radiation but has been cancer free for 10 years so I know you can do it too. Try to stay up beat and I know how hard that is but know we are all pulling for you.
Love,
Meemaw
Dear fellow CC members...I have finally been rescheduled for surgery, as my PET scan came back negative, and did not show the spread of cancer anywhere else in my body. To say thanks for your prayers and thoughts seems totally inadequate, but there must be something to be said for positive thought and prayer, because here I am with the GOOD news that we were all praying for! 
My surgery is now scheduled for Monday, January 19, which happens to be MLK day! My first surgery date was for December 31, New Year's Eve day! lol There must be a reason that I'm destined to have my breast removed on a holiday! lol After surgery I will proceed with chemo, and then radiation. I know it will be a long haul, and it will be hard at times, but I am DETERMINED to overcome this, and with your help and prayers, I KNOW I can do it! Again, thank you to each and everyone that took the time to either read this, post your own personal story, or send positive thoughts and prayers my way. I will check back in after my surgery to let you know how I'm doing. This community means so much to me, as I know it does to all of you. I truly feel like you are part of my family. Know how special each and everyone of you are!
Love,
Joanne
Just seen this... Where have I been?
I'm so glad to hear that your scan was clear. Wishing you lots of luck for your surgery and your recovery afterwards.
BTW: A good friend of mine discovered she had breast cancer shortly after having her third baby. It was very aggressive, but 5 years later she's still cancer-free. You CAN beat this horrible thing.
Sending positive thoughts your way for the 19th.
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