"We give when we can, and we accept when we need. The world could do well by this example."
I was alone, age 38 with breast cancer, living in a small town with two baby boys in diapers. I found Breastcancer.org, and it was an instant community for me.
Apart from keeping me feeling less alone and isolated, this community helped me to find women my own age, stage, and circumstance. It helped with my diagnosis, treatment, symptom management — even with the bad news. We all have scares or tests that bring us into fear. We need others who understand deeply and personally what we're going through to help comfort us.
Although what happened to me is behind me, I still check in to offer hope to others. I started a Success Stories thread in March 2003 seeking stories of long-term survival to keep me positive. This thread is still very active today and gives so many more people hope. When somebody messages me, I'm always very careful to remember what they're experiencing and how much I needed support when I was in their shoes.
This community is a place of safety, it's always here for us. This is the place I can come to when I need anything — if any new info or a symptom pops up to check out. Talking about this community brings a tear to my eye. It is about support for each other, to each other. We give when we can, and we accept when we need. The world could do well by this example.
Lots of love,
Michelle (@Carmelle, Community member since 2003)
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