Four Years as a CHN Volunteer

I've been away the past few days moving my son and his dog into his new apartment . He began graduate school for a PhD in History yesterday. I am so proud of him yet sad he is 900 miles from home. So I was a bit sad this morning missing him as I tidied up his room and bathroom until a card came in the mail.

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. 

                                -Sir James M Barrie

That was the saying on the front of a card I received from the Cancer Hope Network. Inside the card were these anniversary wishes.

You do indeed bring sunshine into our lives and those with whom you speak.

You are truly inspirational !

Reading that made me smile. It turns out I have been a volunteer talking to women throughout the country for four years now. It hasn't seemed that long. I have enjoyed talking to others diagnosed with ovarian cancer or about participating in a clinical trial. I hope these survivors learn about the disease and feel hopefully after speaking to me.

If you are newly diagnosed with any cancer or a caregiver for someone diagnosed with cancer you may call( 1-800-552-4366 )  or visit the Cancer Hope Network website online  to be matched with a survivor. I'm glad that 7 years ago I reached out to this wonderful organization.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

I Finally learned to Say No - HAWMC

HAWMC 16 Learned  the  Hard  Way - What is a lesson you learned the hard way. Write about it for 15  today. 

The lesson that took me the longest to learn was how to say No. It was not until I was diagnosed with cancer did I really learn to say No! 

Sure I would try to say no before that but it really didn't take much to twist my arm to get me to volunteer for something. So tell me what a good job I would do or that no one else volunteered and our kids wouldn't have a troop and I caved. So I was a girl scout leader, a CCD teacher, sang in the choir, chaired a Middle States Accreditation committee, took on an extra class and taught a class on internet safety to parents. Now don't get me wrong, those were not bad things to volunteer for but at the time it really did add stress and took time away from my family. 

But once I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and the future was so unsure, time with family and friends became more important.  It was easier to say NO when I did not know if I would be physically able to help out. I began volunteering for things I was really interested. And  in the process learned more about myself. I still volunteer and have still had my arm twisted once or twice. And by really loving the things I volunteer for makes me a more dedicated volunteer. 

And you know what I am actually considering singing in the choir again at my new church. La la la....

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

Helping Others on the Journey- Cancer Hope Network

When I first learned I had ovarian cancer I did not know another woman with the disease. At my cancer center, I picked up a brochure for the Cancer Hope Network. I gave them a call and they matched me with a woman from NJ who was a survivor for over 5 years. I was thrilled to talk to her and saw her journey as one I could be on too.

In 2008, I decided that I wanted to be the person on the other end of the phone line giving another woman hope. So I took the training and became a patient support volunteer. I have spoken to women throughout the US . I've even made a call at 9pm to be able to chat with a survivor in California when they got home from work. I took a short leave of absence from my calls when I recurred but then started back up again when I finished treatment.

On Saturday, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a card in the mail from Cancer Hope Network. It said

Cancer Hope Network's

Garden of Hope Award

---------

In recognition and with deep gratitude

for three years of helping people

diagnosed with cancer .

Had it really been that long? It seemed like just yesterday when I started making those calls.

Along with the card were packets of flower seeds with the words "Volunteers plant the seeds of kindness". I can't wait to plant those seeds in my garden next year and watch the daisy's grow.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing! I am blessed to be a Cancer Hope Network Support Volunteer.