[Mary Jo]

Hi Tonya,

Being there for others and helping them through their cancer dx, treatment etc. has been the most rewarding thing to come my way since my dx.

For starters, I joined Reach Through Recovery through the American Cancer Society however, I get more calls and requests personally than I do through them.

What I find is the most helpful for those going through their dx and treatment is just being their for them. Whether it be over the phone.....in person....but as others have said, listening. Also, while I was going through treatment, I got a card from a couple of people weekly. People that weren't even that close of friends. Just knowing I wasn't forgotten was so helpful. The notes came with messages of encouragement.....reminders that I was being prayed for and sometimes trinkets with messages of hope.

Those are the types of things I now do for those in that "boat." Also, like you I have offered to sit with them at chemo and one person has taken me up on that. Mainly though, I offer to pray....and do....and I keep in touch via the phone and cards with personal notes of encouragement.

So nice of you to want to help - I bet you are a very loved person Tonya....You are special.

Love and hugs,

Mary Jo