I’m off work sick today due to severe pain in my neck, chest, shoulder and cancelled a lunch date with a friend as a result. She and another friend sent me a gorgeous bunch of flowers ‘to cheer you up’ and I am so pleased and thrilled.
It got me thinking about all the messages of love, sympathy and support I have had from dx, through my treatment and still today 18 months later. Cards with personal and private discolsures and pledges of support sometimes with a small gift or flowers from a simple bunch of daffodils to big glorious bouquets, from people I know well and love to people I know less well but who really mean well.
I remember how much it helps me to feel the love and support from friends and family, to know how much I matter to them and to hear the messages of encouragement and reminders of my own stregnths when I felt drained and all washed up.
Sometimes, I’ve felt a little frustrated with the how are you question and the but you look so well type answers but I know when I scrape away any frustration that its only superficial and its bad humoured of me.
I suppose, my point is… If you know of someone with a serious dx of anything, please do let them know you care (a card or note is good, no need for expensive treats). It doesn’t matter about ‘saying the right thing’ so much. It’s more about saying something rather than nothing.
A friend, who was so kind and supportive when I was dx, was recently dx with BC herself and I sent her a card and a long thought through note, she was pleased and I felt so good about hopefully, giving a little back.
Anyway, just my thought for the day!
L x x
What a lovely sentiment. You do know it is Karma, don’t you? You have obviously been a very kind and caring person to others and that is exactly why your kindness has been repayed.
Sending cyber-flowers!
AlexG
I have a lovely semi retired male friend, who was a former work colleague of mines in London back in the 90s. After I left the organision we kept in touch. Year ago he was a professional actor and he still dabbles a bit; during my illness he sent me letters with all his funny drama stories to do with plays he had bit parts in. They made me laugh out loud as he is very camp and theatrical, a bit like the late Kenneth Williams if I’m honest. He also sent me lovely heart shaped boxes of chocs, little books and other things. It meant such a lot to know somebody at the other end of the country cared. I also have a former neighbour in London who is very religious and she asked permission for her bible group to offer prays for me which I was very touched by. She did the same when my father was dying. I am not religious, but I found this a very kind sentiment. Another friend who is Muslim offered prayers to Allah, and a Catholic friend in Spain lit candles for me.
I live about 650 miles from my family and don’t get to see them much. I didn’t tell them about my diagnosis for some time as I did not want to upset or worry anyone (at least not until I knew more about the extent of the disease).
When in hospital for my mx my lovely sister sent me a home-made card containing small photos of all my family members (and pets!), all of whom appeared to be smiling at me and sending love. It was the single most important and special thing I received in hospital. I was so moved to be reminded that all these people cared for me and wanted me to be well. I will always treasure it.
When I had been off sick from my job as a secretary in a Junior school for a couple of months, one of the teachers brought round get well cards from each of the classes. One of the classes used to return the register to me every morning and tell me a joke. On the card they had made they had all written a different joke to cheer me up, and under each message, which was written on a postit note, there was a picture of John Barrowman (I have a bit of a thing for him!!!) It was such a lovely idea.