Hey All, I am on some breast cancer forums with my wife due to her recient diagnosis. While on those forums, I will read posts from women who just have weeks to live. These are tragic tales of years of battle and yet there is defiance and determination. The difference between our disease and their disease is that our disease's danger is not at the molecular level, its a demon. Its mental. In our case there is a cure. It might be worth a look to take a look at a cancer forum as an observer. I think it may help us in our weak moments or when we need strength to draw on the strength and dignity these folks have. I can guarantee you many of them would love to swap places and battle our demon knowing what they know now. Our situation is curable. Follow the program. Tom
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"You're in the right place. That's the door right there. Turn around."
"Minimise your situation. Others have greater problems, how joyful such people would be if their problem could be solved by just not taking one little drink today. Think gratefully of how lucky you are to have so simple and small a problem"
Sending (((love and prayers))) to you and your wife. Louisa xx
Some of us deal with both, Tom. One year after I got sober, I got diagnosed with BC. The funny thing is, 10 years later, I was told I'd die of it within 6 months. That was 7 years ago. I'm almost certain that, without God, I would have believed those doctors. But with God...well, I know Who has the last word.
Cancer is also curable. Make no mistake. But, thank God, we have a primary purpose!
-- Edited by Anne Troy on Thursday 30th of September 2010 08:33:05 AM
Tom, let me first say I am sorry to hear about your wife's condidtion. My thoughts and prayers are with both of you.
I've included links to a couple of articles in my local paper -- they are doing a series on breast cancer. One stresses the importance of the husbands role in this terrible disease. The other talks about the attitude necessary to deal with set backs. I'm sure you are inundated with reading material but I thought these were uplifting in nature and wanted to share them with you.
By reading your posts on this you seem to have a great attitude during this difficult time. I respect your courage. Stay strong for her.
Thanks Tom...this just reminded me that I've got to call my Aunt and say hello. I have not talked to her in over 40 years and lived with her and the family for a while after discharge from the Navy. She was living with a practicing alcoholic/addict, pedophile, and more and went thru a double masectomy also. How she survived it all I can only think had something to do with the daily smile on her face...the willingness to accept and continue to love. She is in her nineties and still fully contained. Thanks for the reminder. Blessing to your wife and to you so that your support never wains. (((hugs)))
Hey Tom, very sorry to hear all this. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thanks also for putting our illness in its proper perspective. There IS a solution to our illness, it's in the BB of AA, we just have to be willing to work it.
So many good people out there would love it if their illnesses had such a simple solution. It's a good reminder of how lucky we alkies are by comparison.
soon after I began my sobriety, I began listening to motivational speakers, to pump myself up as I began my own business (it worked ). I started noticing that all the speakers talked about staying positive and staying away from negativity. Zig Zigler said "if you pick up the phone and someone start talking about anything negative, hang up on them, even if they are you relatives" lol. Soon after that I bought a book titled "You can't afford the luxury of a negative thought". The book was written by a cancer survivor about possessing a proper attitude for the benefit of the cancer patients recovery. I read it for the benefit of my own (AA) recovery and recommend it.
-- Edited by StPeteDean on Thursday 30th of September 2010 05:07:13 PM