What a great group!

[Val Pfeiffer]

This week I received a private message from Rhonda (Sassy)... she had noticed that I hadn't posted in awhile and she wanted to know if I was OK. That is one of the truly amazing things about this group. In some ways I don't feel worthy--I am not here often enough to notice when people haven't posted, and even if I was, I don't know if I would have the organizational thinking skills to notice someone's absence. Rhonda--thank you for checking in with me. Part of my problem has been lack of time due to learning a new industry since I changed jobs on March 31. My other problem was that I have struggled the last couple times I visited. Lyn's death, Linda's death, and the huge struggles that everyone is facing were tough on me, as I am sure they were on all of us.

But Rhonda's message was a reminder about the outstanding nature of this board and the people who contribute to it. It's not a board where people spend too much time on chit-chat or useless info (although we get to know each other quite well anyway); it's one where we exchange information about trials, treatments, symptoms, etc. -- VERY useful stuff. My treatment course was radically different because of this site (and my oncologist's willingness to allow me to recommend my own treatments).

I know that I need to be on this board and stop being a baby (although I know where to go when I need a good cry :-). I have ideas and experiences that I should be contributing for the benefit of others, just as I have received information that helped me. And I still need to stay on top of everything for my own sake. With a stage 3b case, I was so close to stage 4, that my journey probably isn't finished.

So I am still here--sometimes lurking, sometimes posting when I have time. Thank you Rhonda, and thank you to the rest of you too!

Gotta go...more posting to do!!!

[sassy]

Good to see you back Val! Glad that your absence is for all the "good" reasons.
________
Colorado dispensary (http://colorado.dispensaries.org/)

[CLTann]

I remember well about your last picture and told you how lovely you looked. You corrected me in saying that you had a wig on. Regardless, you have been in my prayer and I am so glad to hear your status again. Welcome back and keep us informed.


Ann

[RobinP]

Good to see you posting Val. You're right it's a great group here.

[StephN]

Dear Val -
You wrote that article on breast cancer with such bravery and aplomb! I hope it is still "findable" on this site for those who did not know Val is a writer.

Glad you have been at least lurking - you will see that there is a lot of good news here lately as well as hope for those on the list to get Tykerb.

Facing our fears is always easier said than done. Coming here is doing a lot for many of us who are isolated in our diagnosis and want to interact and find others to talk with about what is happening to us. Recent patient privacy rules tend to serve to isolate us further from those in our cancer centers who may be suffering the same as we. Nurses are not supposed to say anything about other patients and it is not encouraged to chat in waiting rooms.

A feeling of impending doom is not unusual with aggressive cancers. It takes a lot of work to put that aside and move forward in some meaningful way.

See you again soon.

[al from Canada]

Dear Val,

Great to see you are OK..........we care about our group.
Good luck with your new career.
Al

[mamacze]

Dear Val,
It was so nice to meet you in Atlanta and how nice to welcome you back. Don't you feel a shred guilty; we all have "other" lives ...but we are all grateful when you check in and let us know you are OK. You look fabulous...I don't remember your wig pix, but you look so healthy and well in this pix. Keep writing; you have so much to contribute.
Love Kim from CT

[Val Pfeiffer]

Thanks, everyone! And yes, Kim, meeting you and everyone else in person in Atlanta was so cool. I still tell people about how I was able to "crash" the ASCO convention with the help of Joe and Christine :-)

The story I wrote in October 2005 can be accessed by clicking on my blog and navigating to October 2005. I don't post to the blog all that much anymore, but if one wanted to go back to November 2004 they could see my BC "diary" from the beginning. I onl recommmend that if you are bored or have trouble sleeping...it's pretty lengthy!!

XXOO
Val