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Every year during this first week in September, when my boys were growing up, we took them to a marvelous resort in the north woods of Minnesota appropriately named Grand View Lodge because of its spectacular perch overlooking majestic Gull Lake. It was a short three-night, four-day visit, just long enough for us to get away from the city, and spend some quality time together before school started again.
We always went this week and stayed in the same cabin, and did the same things every year in an effort to establish a sense of tradition. One of our days was spent hiring a fishing guide and fishing to our heart's content (or the legal limit-- whichever came first).
The year I was going through my cancer treatments, I was particularly looking forward to our trip as I had been through six months of chemotherapy and 33 days of radiation. I knew that Grand View would be just the thing to get my mind off my situation, and help me focus on positive memories of days gone by as well as dreams of future years on the lake together with my family.
On the day of our fishing excursion, the alarm went off at 5:30am, so we could eat a hearty breakfast, get dressed and be on the dock by 6:00am. It was a cloudy, overcast day-- perfect for fishing. Our regular guide Mark showed up on time, and we took off for a day of delight.
"Mom," my youngest son Brooks, eight at the time, chipped in, "are we having our annual contests?"
"You mean First Fish, Biggest Fish and Most Fish?" asked Tim, eleven and already an experienced fisherman. "Ha! Just watch! I'll win them all this year!" Let the competition begin...
We found our fishing hole, and with Mark's help, all hooks were baited and lines were dropped. An hour went by. Then two, then three. Mark offered to move us, and eagerly we dropped our lines again, anxious to have some success. But alas, not a bite. You could see the disappointment on the boys' faces as the day turned into afternoon and nary a fish was to be seen.
Mark apologized and suggested we call it a day. Each of the boys asked if they could throw out one last cast, and we agreed as I started to put away the remnants of lunch and picked up the boat. Suddenly, Brooks screamed with delight. "I have hooked a big one!" We all watched and waited as he struggled to pull what appeared to be a keeper through the water. He pulled and reeled, all eyes upon him, when what should appear on the end of the line, but the wig from the top of my head!
I gasped and reached to feel the baldness, when the boys and the men burst into laughter. I could not help but laugh along with them as Brooks proudly removed my hair from his hook and announced, "First Fish, Biggest Fish, Most Fish-- a trifecta!"
We laughed all the way back to Grand View, the day's disappointments far from our thoughts. Fourteen years have passed, and every year on several occasions, someone will bring up that story, and we all laugh at the wonderful memory of the big one that almost got away...
Have a splendid September, and don't forget to laugh!
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TALK ABOUT A NO HAIR DAY! |
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SHARE THE EXPERIENCE |
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How You Can Support a Friend Diagnosed With Cancer
Even a person with the best and brightest attitude can feel "out of sorts" from the stress and anxiety of cancer treatment. Offer a gift certificate for a body massage, facial, scalp massage, manicure or pedicure to help soothe their soul and brighten their spirits. Even a simple certificate for a "shampoo and blow dry" can mean the world to someone coming out of surgery with not a lot of energy. You will have helped provide a needed hour or two of relaxation, and the cancer patient will truly feel pampered.
To cancer patients:
When someone calls with the question, "What can I do for you?" give them the name and phone number of the closest beauty salon or spa. Tell them to surprise you with whatever tickles their fancy, and that an hour or two of luxury would be just what the doctor prescribed. You will help your friend or family member just from making the suggestion, and just imagine how great you'll feel after a day of pampering!
"You don't have to be healthy to be happy."
-- A. Wiseman
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PEA POWER! |
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Researchers in Oxford, England have discovered that men who ate green peas five times a week had a 65% lower risk of prostate cancer than men who ate peas less than three times a month. Their study compared 328 men with prostate cancer to a control group of 328 men. Besides passing the peas, please, other food items related to less prostate cancer: garlic, baked beans and vitamin B6.
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THE CHAT ROOM |
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Dear Cancer Club,
I had breast cancer in 1992, at the age of 40. A single mom with a son, Quinn, who was only 3 years old, I used to bring him with me to radiation, not because of a lack of child care, but because I wanted to spend every second with him since I discovered my cancer. The daily hour drive, one way, to the treatment center was much more bearable, having him along singing me songs and asking a zillion questions.
We got to know the hospital staff quite well. Quinn was the cutest little towhead blond, with huge blue eyes and pink cheeks, and he would stand on a chair, and peek through a little window, as Mommy lay on the table. He always squealed with delight watching me go through the motions, as he "drove" the magic table that would make Mommy better. He and the technician would both be laughing and waving.
The Radiologist was a relatively young doctor, and he hadn't impressed me much. He was quite arrogant and didn't appear to be very caring, until the day before Halloween, and my son had arrived at the hospital in his new Batman costume. I had just finished treatment and was heading out of the radiology room, looking for Quinn, who was usually waiting right by the door. I heard giggling from the hallway and was stunned to see the Radiologist running by, arms extended up in the air, carrying a flying Batman!
The Doctor looked like he was having as much fun as Quinn. He made about three runs of the hallway. Patients, nurses, and fellow doctors were in stiches. He finally put Quinn down, looked up at me panting and out of breath, and said, "Thank you. That's the most fun I've had in a long time." He put back on his doctor's face and continued on to his business. I felt a new respect for this man.
Penny Walker, San Andreas, CA
Dear Cancer Club,
I want to update you on my health. I'm cancer free! I finished my chemo almost a year ago this past April, and my radiation treatment a year ago August. My radiation got delayed because I had an accident Memorial Day weekend and broke my right ankle.
After I finally got home from my daughter's house (I stayed there for about 4 weeks), I had a message on my answering machine from a gentleman I'd known for over 25 years. He wanted to know if he could come visit me, and thank me for the sympathy card I had sent him when his Mother passed away. He visited for over two hours and asked if he could come back again. Well, he kept coming back and he asked me to marry him. On September 5th, we'll celebrate our First Anniversary. He was a close friend of my late husband and they worked together for a time. I had been a widow for almost 21 years. I am very blessed to have him~ and my good health!
Elise Opper Bowler, WI
Dear Cancer Club,
About 4 months after my surgery, I attended a support group meeting where they displayed prostheses. One woman spoke up and said she simply used a shoulder pad in her bra and that helped a lot. I liked that idea.
The following Saturday night I was invited to a friend's house and thought this would be the perfect time to try the shoulder pad. We played board games, watched a movie, and then moved to the table to play cards. On his way over to the table, Jim leaned over to the floor and said, "Did someone lose a shoulder pad?" I was laughing so hard that I had to tell them where it came from. Now I use safety pins.
Gwen Myers, Columbus, OH
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HAVE YOU HEARD? |
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ABOUT...PROTANDIM™ ? . Recommended by Christine Clifford Beckwith, this all natural supplement has helped her restore energy, focus and improve her sleep. To learn more about Protandim, or an exciting business opportunity, please call The Cancer Club at (952)944- 0639. Visit www.LifeVantage.com/LiveYoung and watch the ABC "Prime Time" video. Then call us at (952)944- 0639 to start improving your health today!
ABOUT...THE CANCER PROJECT™? Promotes cancer prevention and survival through a better understanding of cancer causes, particularly the link between nutrition and cancer. Visit www.CancerProject.org. or call (202)244-5038.
ABOUT...HEALINGBASKETS.COM™ ? Created by Caroline Cheshire, they make inspirational baskets and gifts for cancer patients. Visit www.healingbaskets.com or call Caroline at (978)526-8394 today!
ABOUT...CARING COMFORT™ ? Created by Deborah Day Rosenloev, this site offers products to help those who are going through cancer, nausea, and long term care, as well as hospice. Visit www.caringcomfort.com .
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TRUESCIENCE REALLY WORKS! |
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Last month, The Cancer Club told you about an exciting new all natural supplement that is helping people like me~ Christine Clifford Beckwith~ improve my energy level, helping me sleep better and giving me more focus and clarity instead of "chemo brain." This month, I have another exciting new product that has helped me with my skin.
TrueScience skincare lotion was just launched only two months ago. And I have become the Poster Child for the company's advertising campaign, thanks to the incredible results I've experienced.
When I went through ten months of high-dose chemotherapy almost fifteen years ago, I was forced in to menopause at the age of 40. With no estrogen to support my skin tone, combined with growing up in southern California (and spending every waking moment of my childhood in the sun), my skin was damaged.
Only two months of using TrueScience have improved my collagen, removed sun and age spots, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, and helped me feel the best I've felt in years about my appearance. I invite you to preview my "Before & After" photos and to call us today
I would personally like to encourage all of you to visit www.LifeVantage.com/LiveYoung, watch the ABC Prime Time video, and call me personally to tell you how you can improve your health starting today.
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ABOUT CHRISTINE CLIFFORD BECKWITH & THE CANCER CLUB™ |
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The Story Behind The Newsletter
The Cancer Club™, based in Minneapolis, MN, was created by Christine Clifford in 1995 in response to her diagnosis of Stage III metastatic breast cancer at the age of 40 in 1994. Christine, whose mother died of breast cancer at 42, found during her own treatments that while family and friends were supportive, noone ever gave her anything to make her laugh.
Needing a lift, Christine began to search for signs of humor in herself and her predicament. She found them daily. The more she laughed, the stronger she grew, and The Cancer Club™ was born.
The critically acclaimed Cancer Club™ is the first organization to offer hope and support to cancer patients, their families and friends through the healing power of humor. A dynamic speaker, Christine has traveled the globe with her keynote presentations and seminars on using humor to get through life's adversities.
Christine is married to speaker/author Harry Beckwith (co-authors of You, Inc. The Art of Selling Yourself) and is the mother of five boys: Harry, Jr., Tim, Walter, Brooks & Cole; a daughter Cooper, a cat Simone and grandmother to a Siberian Husky named Skylar. Call The Cancer Club™ today or email us to book Christine for your next event. Don't forget to laugh! ™
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NEXT ISSUE: OCTOBER, 2009 |
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We Hope You've Enjoyed This Edition
We hope you've enjoyed this edition of The Cancer Club™ eNewsletter. We'd like to thank our FABulous illustrator Jack Lindstrom of FAB Artists!
If you have a humorous or interesting story about cancer, send it to us at: P.O. Box 24747 Edina, MN 55424-0747 or email us at: Christine@cancerclub.com
Visit us online at www.cancerclub.com
Have a spectacular September, and don't forget to laugh!™
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Warmest wishes, 
Christine Clifford Beckwith, CSP
Founder/President/CEO
The Cancer Club ™
Don't forget to laugh! ™
Phone: 1-800-586-9062
Fax: 1-612-922-0195
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Cancer Club | P.O. Box 24747 | Edina | MN | 55424-0747 | | |
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