Monday, September 15, 2014

The Big C-hop

Two awesome people are behind this blog hop -- Michael Di Gesu and Melissa Bradley. For more information on the background of the hop, head on over to one of their blogs!

A while back, I had a friend diagnosed with the big C.

She is one of those people. You know the type: out-going, friendly, hilarious, kind, and with an edge of snark that makes everyone laugh.

She decided, on the way home from her diagnosis appointment, that she was not only going to kick cancer's ass, she was going to do it in style.

Every time someone looked sad or got teary eyed, she pointed her finger right in his/her face and yelled, "Hey! None of that!" And then she'd add another comment. The comment always started the same, but each time she had a new ending. I never heard her repeat one.

It's cancer, not something serious like moldy carrots.

It's cancer, not something serious like having your underwear shrink.

It's cancer, not something serious like Timmy's (Tim Horton's) being out of sprinkle donuts.

It's cancer, not something serious like buying a male and a female rabbit instead of a matched set.

It's cancer, not something serious like running out of toilet paper.

It's cancer, not something serious like forgetting your child in the bank.

It's cancer, not something serious like screaming out the wrong name. Don't look at me like that. You know what I'm talking about.

(As you might be able to tell, she's a Star Trek fan with a particular fondness for Bones.)

And she pulled it off. She not only kicked cancer's ass, she's gone on to help a whole pile of other people do the same. Proud to call her a friend!

Remember to pop on over to check out the rest of the blog hop!!

35 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks, Jemi!! I love how your friend looked at cancer. I see mine as just an inconvenience to be moved. Hugs!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

What a great attitude! (And a Star Trek fan to boot.) I imagine she came up with hundreds of those comebacks.

Natalie Aguirre said...

What a great attitude. My sister had a really great attitude too. She never complained or wanted to talk about her cancer. And she helped a lot of women going through breast cancer too.

Beth said...

Sounds like she had an awesome attitude. And how terrific that she's now helping other people get through it too.

Jemi Fraser said...

Melissa - You're very welcome! I hope we can help move that obstacle for you!!

Alex - she did!

Natalie - your sister sounds awesome!

Beth - she really does - incredible lady :)

Unknown said...

It sounds like she fought the cancer back with sass and sheer will. Never underestimate the power of a strong willed woman.
Elizabeth Hein - Scribbling in the Storage Room

Mason Canyon said...

What an amazing attitude. So glad your friend won her battle. Sounds like she'll do wonders helping others.

A said...

What an attitude…. hats off to her, in a major way!

Nick Wilford said...

Brilliant! She sounds like a great example and excellent that she is now also helping others.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Oh, I LOVEED THIS!!!! Awesome story, Jemi!!!!

The next time you see her give HER A BIG HUG from me!

Chrys Fey said...

I love your friend! I am giving her a round of applause! :D

Nicki Elson said...

Ha! What a riot. She sounds like the perfect person to help others power through their treatments.

Unknown said...

Love that attitude! There are so many little things that aggravate us beyond belief, so why let cancer knock them from their pedestals? :)

Michelle Wallace said...

What a great attitude! Such positive energy...
It's no surprise that your friend has gone on to help a whole pile of other people. She is definitely strong & brave.

Unknown said...

What a fantastically brave friend you have.

I'm so glad to hear she has kicked cancer's ass. And gone on to help others to boot. Bravo!

Jemi Fraser said...

Elizabeth - exactly!!

Mason - she really is! A great lady :)

Agnes - she is awesome!

Nick - she is a real help!

Michael - I will!

Chris - me too! :)

Nicki - she truly is!

EJ - she sure showed C who's boss :)

Michelle - strong and brave - love her!

VR Barkowski said...

It's all about attitude, isn't it? Not only was your friend strong, she was kind—letting others "off the hook" with her spirit and humor. Grinning ear-to-ear that she kicked the Big C's butt!

VR Barkowski

Jemi Fraser said...

Wendy - she is amazing!

VR - attitude sure helps!!

JeffO said...

What a great way to face such a difficult situation. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I love her attitude. Your piece is wonderful.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Running out of toilet paper is super serious. Your friend sounds like a truly special person.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

What a great attitude your friend has. She should be a spokeswoman!

Theresa Milstein said...

What a unique perspective to have. I don't know if I could be so brave.

Oh, oh--a male and female rabbit....

Jemi Fraser said...

Jeff - she's amazing!

Medeia - she's a great lady!!

Lynda - that's exactly how I'd describe her :)

Sharon - I wouldn't be surprised she's asked to go that route one day!

Theresa - I know! Those rabbits!! I don't know either - she's pretty special :)

cleemckenzie said...

You're so lucky to have this person in your life. What a kick-Cancer attitude.

Kelly Steel said...

Great attitude by your friend.

Jemi Fraser said...

Lee - I am - she's awesome!

Kelly - so true!

DMS said...

What an amazing outlook your friend has. An inspiration to us all!
~Jess

Jemi Fraser said...

Jess - she truly is!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Jemi - what a great friend to have ... and obviously someone who you've learnt loads from - and who is now helping others ...

We'll all learn from each other's stories and can relate them on - to give some relief and laughter to the other many - be they carers or sufferers ...

Fantastic story .. and I'm not a Star Trek fan ... cheers to you both - Hilary

Jemi Fraser said...

Hilary - she is awesome! We truly do learn so much from the strong people we're lucky enough to have in our lives :)

Kelly Polark said...

So wonderful your friend had such a positive attitude. I do think that little bit helps in the fight!

As you know, my daughter's friend passed away in July of leukemia. Been pretty tough. I hate to say I think I've cried more in the past few months than I have in the past few years.

Prayers and strength to those who are fighting cancer and those who lost and the families that support them!

Jemi Fraser said...

Kelly - yes! We've got some friends fighting the good fight right now. It's incredibly, incredibly hard.

Sherrie Petersen said...

She sounds like an awesome person! A friend of mine is battling cancer now, with just as much humor and grace. I hope she gets that happy ending too.

Jemi Fraser said...

Sherrie - I hope your friend is as successful as mine! Sending healthy/healing vibes her way!