People’s stories
I just got back from the pancreatic cancer support group at Winship Cancer Institute. There were fewer people there this time than the first time, but the conversation was still helpful. While I can appreciate people reaching out to me with stories of their brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, parents, etc. who have had and survived (or not) cancer, in all but a very few cases, the loved one who had some form of cancer other than pancreatic cancer.
Now I understand WHY people do this. I understand that they tell me about their father’s toe cancer because it allows them to have a connection to what I am going through. I understand that it gives people a frame of reference through which we (they and I) can have a discussion. I understand why people do this; but…pancreas cancer is different from lung cancer; is different from breast cancer; from colon cancer. So I appreciate being able to sit in a room with a group of people who have experienced (or are currently experiencing) the same issues that I will be going through.
In the group, there are two people (one of whom is also named Merle) who have lived in excess of 5 years after their diagnosis. They give me hope. Then there is Whitney who had a Whipple, has also survived beyond 5 years, but who also had a really difficult time after her surgery (REALLY difficult). Then there are other people like Cindy who had her Whipple surgery a couple of months before me. So along with Whitney and the others, Cindy and I can share our experiences with chemotherapy. It was comforting to hear Cindy say, for example, that she also was sent home this past week for having blood work that was too low.
I appreciate people who share their stories, but the best stories are the ones that are most relevant to my current situation.
Merle