Wednesday, February 14, 2007

The Becca Corp....Now serving your area.

Yep, that's right.
I am your friendly neighborhood one stop cancer info shop.

okay, okay. I'll explain. It would seem that nowdays, whenever anyone I know has another brush with cancer, they immediately think of me.

I have gotten many a call, or email which inevitably begin with "My niece has been diagnosed with...." and usually somewhere in there will be a mention of "...and if you could tell me where I can get info about it..." or "...if you could talk with them about it..."

Now, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. I am usually quite honored that people think of me when they're trying to make sense of a senseless situation. It's flattering to be in a position where people respect your knowledge, and want your help.

The only drawback is...well...I can't always help these people. I guess before I was diagnosed, I wouldn't have known that all cancer is really inherently different. Of course, it's all cancer. And it's all bad. But it's almost like...(and I know, this is a pretty trivial comparison) allergies. You can have allergies to food, or to a substance, or to an element, or animal. But all those allergies need different remedies or treatments. What works for someone who's allergic to peanuts won't necessarily work for someone who's allergic to cats.

When someone tells me they're best friends little brother was just diagnosed with Luekemia. Well...I honestly know little to nothing about luekemia. I can tell them where I went for information. But I doubt that www.colonclub.com or www.uoaa.org would really be of help for a 12 year old with luekemia.

I have more general resources that I can pass on. And there are certain emotional states that are relatable to ALL major illnesses. I can certainly talk to someone about fear and anxiety, and all that good stuff. Body image issues, fertility, side effects...to a degree I can help someone come to terms with most of those topics. But as for cancer specific info. unfortunately, you sorta have to do that on your own.

So in a way, I feel good being that source of information for people. I hate when I can't be of help to someone. I usually do my best. But it's a strange phenomenon when you go from being just a regular every day joe (er...jane) to being that one person to go to for cancer info. I've suddenly become an expert in a field I never ever wanted to be...survivorship.

I suppose I'll wear the title with pride. I mean...hell, lord knows I paid for it (literally and figuratively). I just hope I can do it justice and when someone else who is in the same place I was in a year ago today...I'll be able to help.

8 comments:

  1. You know what's so funny? I was going to have my friend Tara's friend call you lol. He didn't have cancer but will now have to have an colostomy bag at the age of 22. He panicked and thought his life was over and everything. I told Tara to have him call you cause you know a thing or two about it. I hope you don't mind ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. You go girl!

    I know what you mean about this whole getting calls/emails/etc.. about someone's friend or whatever.......

    I'll help anyway I can, but, Colon/Rectal cancer is far different than Bone/Breast/Lung/etc...

    :-)

    I'm with ya and I read your blog..

    Charlie (your FAP buddy!)

    ReplyDelete
  3. it's the same with me. I'm a nurse. I deal with the handicapped. but everyone and there dog asks me medical questions. I'm amazed at how often I do know the answers. but most of the time, it's out of my realm. they don't teach you everything there is to know about everything there is in nursing school. when I say that I don't know, some people look at me like I'm crazy and say, "you ARE a nurse, aren't you?". it's the same thing. you do a absolutely fabulous job at advising people. I've been on your discussion boards. you give excellent info and are not afraid to share your wealth of experience in this area. you also are not afraid to ask the "stupid" or "obvious" questions. It lets everyone else know that it's alright to ask, that nothing is to silly or insignificant to ask and that you all share a bond. we need more rebeccas in this world!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. it's the same with me. I'm a nurse. I deal with the handicapped. but everyone and there dog asks me medical questions. I'm amazed at how often I do know the answers. but most of the time, it's out of my realm. they don't teach you everything there is to know about everything there is in nursing school. when I say that I don't know, some people look at me like I'm crazy and say, "you ARE a nurse, aren't you?". it's the same thing. you do a absolutely fabulous job at advising people. I've been on your discussion boards. you give excellent info and are not afraid to share your wealth of experience in this area. you also are not afraid to ask the "stupid" or "obvious" questions. It lets everyone else know that it's alright to ask, that nothing is to silly or insignificant to ask and that you all share a bond. we need more rebeccas in this world!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey Becca-

    You are frickin awesome. I am also going through chemo for colon cancer (5 out of 12 treatments done!) and your blog has made my day. I am 33 and can't belive this shit. Cancer? what the hell? Who did I piss off to get cancer at 33? Thanks for being so honest and helping me not feel so alone, just for a while...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Becca

    I stumbled onto your blog. There are very few resourses for young adults with sucky diagnoses. I started a blog too www.ericgalvezdpt.com. Keep on trucking!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hey Becca-

    I love your blog. You should check out mine, we have a similar point of view and writing style. Check out my blog www.chemopalooza.com

    Kelly

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is kind of random, but I was your nurse for like a day at CCF after your surgery. ( I cant even remember when it was) But I ran acrossed my "Cancer sucks" bracelet the other day and thought I'd check in to see how you were. Sounds like you're adjusting well with your new "asshole." Your blog kills me. haha. rock on!

    Linde

    ReplyDelete