[Andrea Barnett Budin]

There is only one YOU! There will never be another exactly like YOU. Yet, we are each so much the same. When I look at others, I see myself. When I look at my Sisters, I see a unique bond. We have experienced something exquisitely painful, physically, psychologically and emotionally.

Yes, all human Beings suffer in their lives, but being diagnosed with canser hurls us into a place that is frightening, disorienting, shaky and uncertain. We must summon uncommon courage and grace. We must open our hearts and our minds to sharing our experiences and learning from one another.

Richard H. Bloch (of H & R Bloch) wrote a book that had significant impact on me and my healing process. He was diagnosed with lung canser and given months to live. Told to put his affairs in order. He decided not to accept this prognosis. He went on highly aggressive chemotherapy for a full year. He learned to meditate and use guided imagery. He took the love he had for his wife, and hers for him and used it to fortify and motivate himself.

He lived for at least another 25 years. His book, offered free with a phone call CANCER, THERE IS HOPE rocked me. I understood that the purpose of his efforts to communicate what worked for him was full of generosity of Spirit. And I found each word of his book transforming!

He surely was not gloating about his success, he was reaching out to others who were suffering from canser and holding out ways he found to overcome. I immediately thanked him with all my heart.

Many helped me to survive. I went through my own hell getting here to be sure. As I climbed the stairs in my home, I was literally on all fours. As I drove to the doctor's office, I clutched the steering wheel and focused every ounce of strength I could muster to drive slowly, carefully and safely.

I had a pleural effusion, a peri-cardial effusion, deep agonizing muscle pains throughout my arms and my legs, neuropathy, sickening nausea and uncontrollable bowel issues. I could barely speak I was so weak. I shuffled as I walked and often tripped over my toes, unable to lift my feet to take each step. My tongue felt like it weighed 50 lbs. My comforter felt like it weighed 500 lbs. But I endured. And I made it through, despite all the odds to the contrary.

I decidedly tossed the statistics to the a heap out of sight. I read, 2 pages at a time, books full of the kind of inspiration it is my wholehearted intention to offer on this site.

I have learned to accept each minute as an unrepeatable miracle. I could have become embittered but I consciously chose to work to grow and expand my understanding of the Lessons that fell in my path. I see that I must live with an open heart and an open mind in order to blossom. I want to become more than I was yesterday. I offer a smile and loving energy to all I encounter. I listen. I share the things I have learned because it is my sincere intention to do as Richard Bloch did.

I am open and honest and bare my Soul and most people see that right off, and respond in the most wonderful ways. I believe we are here to serve, to help one another. That is what Life is all about.

Ram Dass is an author who grew beyond his LSD phase to become a guru and to cofound and build hospitals and work with refugees and prisoners. Over the years he reportedly played cello, golf and drove his MG. But since his stroke in the late '90s, it is others who must help him. He writes that he could think of himself as the guy who can't play cello or drive or work in India, that he could feel terribly sorry for himself. But, he writes, that is not who he is. Now he lives in a disabled body. Now this is who he is. Now, he still sees each moment as an unrepeatable miracle.

The Buddha has said that, There is only one time when it is essential to awaken. That time is now.

We can bemoan the past and feel apprehensive about the future, but only now can we act, with clarity and purpose, intention and expectation that go beyond what is easily predictable to some.

I will gladly share my own method of doing just this in another post. I am always available to give hope and inspiration to others. How could I not?

If what I say is of no interest to you, simply move to another thread. There's a wealth of information on this marvelous site to benefit from.

It truly gladdens my heart that so many post and/or PM me with their appreciation for my baring my Soul. It is why I continue to remain on this site. I only came upon this board AFTER. I quickly saw that though I did not derive the comfort and wisdom of the posts herein as I struggled to regain my footing and my life, it was my honor and indeed my duty to share my experience and all I was blessed to learn in my own journey.

Always with love,
Andi