I find this a curious trait in some people. No matter what you say, they have to one up you.

There is a woman at work who (knowing my cancer history) will ask me each day how I am. If I’m having a particularly bad headache, I might mention it and will get the immediate reaction of “oh, me too. I think it’s the beginning of a migraine.” Or if I’m feeling a little off … maybe didn’t get enough sleep last night and she immediately comes up with a similar restless night.

At first I found this a little peculiar, but now I find it annoying. Why ask how someone is feeling if you have the need to one up them? Is there a need to try to relate or the elicit sympathy? I have no idea. I don’t often voluntarily mention my daily health level other than to warn bossman if I’m having a particularly bad headache. This is only to let him know that leaving me alone is probably a good idea … at least until the meds kick in.

I’ve stopped giving my co-worker any type of health report. I could be sporting the flu and I’ll tell her that I feel fine. Because frankly … I know I don’t want to listen to someone else’s health report … why would I bring mine up? There’s nothing worse than asking how someone is feeling and actually have them tell you … ad nauseum.

I was talking to my friend and babysitter for my daughter the other day. “B” is the one who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, went through a lumpectomy and is now going through radiation.

I asked how she was feeling and she said she felt great and that she almost felt guilty for feeling so good. Naturally I asked why and she said that she goes in each morning for treatment, got zapped and headed home. While there she said she’d see people going through chemo and having a hard time of it. That they were really ‘sick’. And she felt guilty about feeling so good.

I understood exactly what she was talking about. When I go in for my Herceptin treatment, there are people in the infusion room wearing scarves, wigs, hats … whatever and yes, they look sick. Very pale, very weak, even nauseous. Not everyone reacts the same way to chemo or even to radiation treatment. A lot of people can take it in their stride and move on. I was one of those lucky ones and evidently so is “B” … although she is still in the first couple of weeks of radiation. I’m hoping she continues to have an easy time of it.

Yes, feel sorry for those having a hard time of it, but there is no need to feel guilty. Everyone reacts differently and you should enjoy the fact that you don’t react adversely to treatment. Consider yourself lucky. The side effects can be horrendous and if your body manages to avoid the worse of them — YAY!

And Remember …“YOU ARE A CANCER WARRIOR”

Yep, still slogging along with the revisions of “Darkness Before the Dawn”. I’d managed to sneak in several chapters while at work one day last week, but haven’t made the progress that I’d hoped. I should be done with the revisions on this sucker by now.

And I really want to be done with it. I have other projects jostling in my head for attention … hmm, that might explain a few of my headaches … and I’m eager to get started on them. I even told myself that I’m not allowed to even think about starting my next project until this is done. How’s that for incentive? So give me a virtual kick in the butt to get going and I’ll get this baby done and out by this week.

Listening to the local television news the other day. Don’t often get an opportunity to do so because I’m generally in bed well before the 10:00 news. Well, the weather segment came on and I was treated to the gloom and doom of the “scorching hot weather” we were in for this week. They did the whole shebang … heat advisory, ozone alert, respiratory warnings. Oh, but it will be cooler near the lake. Gasp! A light at the end of the tunnel.

What is it about weather people who seem to love giving you the absolute panic when it comes to weather? I recall during the winter, they were going on and on about the “major snow storms” that were going to pound our city and bring it to a screeching halt. How we shouldn’t venture out because we’re sure to run into snow, and ice and sleet which would no doubt lead to catastrophe.

I get the impression that news people are just not happy unless they’re inciting some sort of panic. Does it sell news? Maybe for some. The only thing it sells for me is a vague contempt for those who feel the need to blow everything out of proportion.

But y’know what? That’s where common sense comes in. Yes, we can see that its hot and that it really isn’t a good idea to go running in 100 degree plus weather. Heat stroke has been known to happen. Yes, there’s a major snowstorm blasting down on us, so either take extra precaution when driving, or just stay home. I really think a lot of people can make that determination without the weather people standing in the middle of a park with a yardstick shoved in a snowbank to show how deep it is.

And this concludes today’s Bitch Session …

I was thinking of this the other day. Why is it that some of us seemed to be predestined to get cancer? I’ve mentioned before that there is no known history of cancer in my family. Then again … when you think about it, a hundred years ago people tended to die a bit younger and then of other causes. So who’s to say that various members of my family wouldn’t have contracted it?

There are always those people whose diagnosis seems almost inevitable. You have a history of it on both sides of the family. A mom, perhaps both grandmothers, or aunts have breast cancer. Personally it might be a safe bet that you’re next in line. Not that I would wish it on anyone, but I think you have to be prepared for the possibility. I’ve read of women, whose family history is strong, who had both breasts removed even without any sign of cancer in a proactive move to prevent its development. I consider those women Amazons.

There are always outside influences. When I was a kid, I used to play in an area that used to be a barrel factory. Were there residual chemicals in that area that might have triggered the genes that cause cancer? Who knows. At this point, I really don’t care where it came from. I just want to deal with it and get on with my life.

I’m not a particularly religious person, but I firmly believe that God does not give you anything you cannot handle. Is this a test? Maybe. A rather nasty one in my opinion, but so far nothing has been thrown at me that I cannot handle and I personally think I’m a hellava stronger person because of my experience.

And Remember …“YOU ARE A CANCER WARRIOR”