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Cancer Survivors Network Newsletter

March 2006

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Our Featured Stories

The Healing Came Instantly
Contributed by jbb

What could be funny when fighting cancer? I've been battling brain cancer for some time now and there have been many tears shed along the way, but looking back it's the many laughs I remember the most.

I have a fantastic partner who never lets me dwell in self-pity or allows me to even think about leaving him and my beautiful daughter behind. All through the journey, he's been there helping me find all the funny things that hide amongst the pain and despair.

The rest of my family had a very hard time dealing with my illness. I chose to surround myself only with positive people. I was living in Sweden at the time and quickly moved to England with my partner.

As soon as we settled in far away from any negative thoughts, the healing came instantly, and with that a newly found joy of life! Taking the gift of being alive and making the most of it, enjoying it, having fun with it! And off I went, going to the places of my dreams -- the Scottish highlands, New Zealand, collecting memories with my daughter and finding myself always with a smile on my face. With all the fun of enjoying life came healing.

When my time comes, be it tomorrow or in a hundred years, I will end it with a smile on my face, and I know my daughter will remember me as a mum full of life and fun.

*Next month we'll discuss "managing the side effects of cancer." Got a story to share? We would love to hear from you! Please submit your editorial (200 words maximum) to communitymanager@acscsn.org; add "stories" to the subject line.

Colon Palooza 3 & 4:
The journey continues

The CSN colorectal cancer survivors (the self-proclaimed "Semi-Colons") are at it again! On their quest to share support and have a good time, they are putting together "Colon Palooza 3" in Austin, TX, and "Colon Palooza 4" in Halifax, NS, Canada. If you are also a "Semi-Colon" (new or seasoned) you may want to join the fun!

Colon Palooza 3 - April 27-30, 2006. Location: Austin, Texas, USA.

Howdy, y'all! Come on down to the Lone Star State for a good ol' time. CSN member Kerry will host the kick-off party on April 27, so make sure to RSVP! Additional activities will be scheduled throughout the weekend. Book your airfare early and call The Marriott Hotel at 1-800-228-9290 (or 512-478-1111 locally) and book under SEMICOLONS to get the special rate of $155 per night. For information, contact Kerry via CSN e-mail or call 210-373-7792.

Colon Palooza 4 - October 12-15, 2006. Location: Halifax, NS, Canada

The "Semi-Colons" are going international! So set your sails for Halifax, Canada's Ocean Playground. CSN member Lisa Rose is hosting this Canadian extravaganza. Come and experience the beauty of Halifax, Peggy's Cove, and Lunenburg. Book your airfare in advance and contact the Delta Halifax Hotel at 1-888-423-3582 Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 5 pm EST or 1-800-268-1133 evenings and weekends. Make sure to book under GCOLON to take advantage of the special rate of $135 (in Canadian dollars, or about $116 US) per room/per night. Harbour-view rooms are available for an additional fee. For information, contact Lisa Rose via CSN e-mail or call her in Canada at 506-386-4048 . You won't want to miss a chance to visit Canada's beautiful east coast and experience the warm hospitality.

Editor's note: To view a Colon Palooza 2 video, click here; click here to look at a photo journal. Previous Colon-Paloozas were held in Biloxi, MS, and Las Vegas, NV.

May I Recommend ...

Cancer Schmancer
Author: Fran Drescher
Reviewed by groundeffect

"The Nanny" speaks!

Actress Fran Drescher took a spicy and sassy backward look at her cancer experience in this book, the title words uttered by Brad Pitt while she was waiting in pre-op -- no, wait a minute -- it was a fantasy! No pre-op would allow Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman, and other celebrities in! Fran's (you will feel like a friend of hers, too) prologue gives sets the stage for Cancer Schmancer. The first book about a personal experience with cancer that I had ever read, I was glad to find Ms. Drescher took a rather sassy approach while recounting seeking the source of her troubles. It gave me more than a little courage to speak up and question my doctors about my illness. It's a slim book and a quick read.

Interested in being a book reviewer? Send us your review to communitymanager@acscsn.org; add "book review" to the subject line.

Meet Your Neighbors

Laughter is Good Medicine
Contributed by nodawgs

As cancer is no laughing matter, most would doubt there is much demand for what I call "tumor humor." Not so! I've seen patients laugh at themselves about truly pee-in-your-pants hilarious stuff, including yours truly. Of course, there's certainly no humor in any kind of situation that turns out bad ... only those turning out OK.

There is a caveat here: If you're fresh out of surgery with a zillion stitches, I doubt you're ready for 3-minutes on a rowing machine. Similarly, I recommend you defer any leg-slapper, tears-in-your-eyes, shrieking guffaws for a few days to prevent being rolled back into surgery for re-stitching. Otherwise, hanging around a bunch of crack-ups is good for your health.

We all have our own new, full-time job no one else can do ... an enjoyable and fun job at that. The objective is enjoying every day to the fullest -- friends, family, and all the miscellaneous, outrageous, personal fun the law will allow.

Editor's note: Read nodawgs' humorous account of his own cancer experience in the Expressions Gallery.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. For information on cancer or American Cancer Society programs, please call 1-800- ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345) or visit www.cancer.org.

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