Cancer Survivors

**Karen** · 03-08-2011, 08:26 PM

There's a family in my church that I have asked for prayers for, over in the Prayer requests thread. Bea, who came to America in her twenties from Ireland, is married to Kin, whose parents came here from China not long before he was born. Bea has breast cancer, and started Chemo today. They have two small children, Jonas, who is 6 years old, and Anna, who is 4.

Jonas, who has always been a serious little boy, is convinced his mom is gonna die. Now Bea is an oncological nurse, and I am sure has explained everything to him, but he is very upset and sure she's going to die. (Anna's more upset that Bea told her she'd likely lose all her hair, they got to go wig shopping with her, though) I would very much like to make a little book for them, and include a little picture and story of each of you, and anyone else you know who has survived cancer, and call it "We CANcer-vive! (survive and thrive)" for Bea to show to Jonas.

And if you could forward this to any other survivors you know, the more the merrier! If you have a current-ish picture, now that you have hair, tell us when you had cancer, and where you live, and anything other few sentences - I think it would help comfort Jonas. He knows his grandmother (Bea's mom) died from cancer, so is just so sure his mom's gonna die, too. (Bea did get tested, it's not the genetically linked breast cancer that she's got, which is a huge relief for she and Kin especially concerning Anna's and Jonas' future.)

As I know many people would rather keep this info private, you could email it to me, rather than post it here, so it's not available to the whole world. Email it to Karen (at) PetoftheDay.com, okay?

**Laura's Babies** · 03-09-2011, 08:42 AM

That has to be terrifying for a child.. Life can be so cruel sometimes but so full of blessings.. I will remember them in my prayers..

**Karen** · 03-09-2011, 07:48 PM

Bumpity

**phesina** · 03-09-2011, 08:36 PM

Karen, I am a breast cancer survivor.. for more than 25 years now! I'm working on putting together an encouraging message for Jonah.

Pat

**kokopup** · 03-09-2011, 10:52 PM

Karen, I am a Cancer Survivor, this May will be six years. I will try to put together some encouraging words relating to my experience. I know this has got to be upsetting to a child. Bill

**Karen** · 03-09-2011, 11:02 PM

Thank you both! Jonas is much like my beloved in that he is a worrier, always has been, so I am sure all words of encouragement will help him a lot!

**pomtzu** · 03-10-2011, 06:55 AM

Karen..

My best friend when I was growing up and until we went our separate ways after school and kids and 3000 miles between us ----- her mother was a breast cancer survivor. I really don't have enough info to write anything about her experience, other than I know she was diagnosed in her 50's (and that was back in the 60's) - had a mastectomy - and went on to live to be 94 years young. Yes - YOUNG. She was still driving her car in her 80's, traveled the world extensively with her daughter (who was a travel agent), and lived on her own till the time of her passing, in the same house that I spent so many of my teenage days in - her daughter and I. I was probably closer to this lady than I was to my own mother.