Dearest Kathy,
You go, girl!!! I don't have to see you to know you are a beautiful
woman, and your beauty transcends anything this disease can do to you.
As for the friends you may have "lost?" I lost a few, too, but was
actually grateful to know up front who my real friends were. So rejoice
in this beautiful day, and in just being alive! Love you, Joicy
jerry corrigan wrote:
>
> Dearest Joicy: I can tell from your posts that you really have gone through
> some terrible times. I have, too -- the breakup of a wonderful seventeen
> year marriage (at least I thought it was), and then an abusive relationship
> with a cruel alcoholic. I felt sort of the same way you did when I found
> out I had cancer, and I was very upfront and will to talk about it. No one
> seemed to shy away from me because of it, and for that, I am eternally
> grateful. The people where I work were wonderful. There was only one
> person there (an arrogant attorney) who didn't express their sympathy and
> support, and now I feel like I have a huge cheering section! These people
> and the MOLers have helped change me inside. Today I'm going to a tailgate
> party (football game) without my wig. You inspired me, and my best friends
> (married couple) both told me they'd love me even if my hair did look funny
> because, after all, I AM funny!!!! I appreciate your kind words, too, Joicy,
> and you continue to be an inspiration to all of us. Love you, too, Kathy
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joicy Becker-Richards <joicy@erols.com>
> To: mol-cancer@lists.meds.com <mol-cancer@lists.meds.com>
> Date: Friday, November 20, 1998 9:05 PM
> Subject: Re: [MOL] Frank
>
> >Dearest Kathy, thank you for your kind words, but please do not feel
> >shame! We are all on a journey, and here is the thing: by the time I
> >found the cancer, I had already been through so many hard times, and had
> >seen God's faithfulness through other life-threatening situations, that
> >I knew without doubt this was one more learning experience. I knew I
> >wasn't alone, that he wanted to teach me something, but wouldn't abandon
> >me. My nerve was not from me or my strength, believe me -- I am a
> >terrible coward (I confess it!). But it is amazing how fearful people
> >are about cancer.
> >
> >Another aspect was my daughter...she said, "it's absolutely nuts that
> >people with cancer -- fighting for their lives -- are also expected to
> >'protect' other people's feelings by maintaining a 'normal' appearance!"
> >I was very frustrated that the measure of how well a person was dealing
> >with their cancer seems to be how well they are able to HIDE it. Cancer
> >changed me, damn it, inside and out. Yet I'm supposed to fight the
> >disease AND protect others so they don't have to deal with something
> >unpleasant? That really is insane!! I said NO. Let's get it in the open.
> >Let's deal with it. Let's talk about it. It's liberating to us as
> >cancerers, and to others, who who want to support us, but are fearful.
> >We really have to lead the away on this, I think.
> >
> >Anyhow, I appreciate your kind words! Love you, joicy
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