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Dear Christine,
I woke up this morning, cracked the shutters on my bedroom window and saw the sun shining bright. "Fabulous," I thought, "I can play golf today," knowing that the days the golf course is open are numbered here in Minnesota.
I got dressed, put on my warmest golf sweater, and went downstairs to get the Sunday paper. WHOOPS! When I opened the front door, I realized I hadn't looked down when I peeked out the window. Snow was everywhere! So much for golf, and so much for my plans.
Doesn't life seem challenging when things don't go according to plans? My cancer diagnosis certainly felt that way to me almost fifteen years ago.
I remember going to my health club and working out for a couple of hours. I thought I was the epitome of health at the time. Then I came home from my health club and listened to a message on my answering machine from my doctor's office. "Christine, you need to call us right away."
Plans. They change. But I know that for me personally, a change of plans can be a wonderful thing. For me, that cancer diagnosis changed my life for the better. I learned how to be a survivor, and it has served me well. I learned I could do things I had only dreamed about: write books, travel the world speaking about my cancer experience, start my own company, The Cancer Club, and meet people like all of you who want to find a little humor in the journey.
I couldn't play golf today, but I had a wonderful day. I met my best friend Pat for lunch, walked my son Brooks' Syberian Husky Skylar around the lake (boy, did she love the snow!), put up my Halloween decorations, and wrote this newsletter.
So don't get down or discouraged when plans change. Look at it as a chance to do something different, and maybe... just maybe... your new plans will far exceed the old. Have a fabulous fall and a spooky Halloween. And don't forget to laugh!
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TOO SPOOKY! |
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SHARE THE EXPERIENCE |
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How You Can Support a Friend Diagnosed With Cancer
The last three months of the year are hectic for everyone-- with or without a diagnosis of cancer. With Halloween and fall clean-up, Thanksgiving and then the holidays, the mere thought of cooking, buying and wrapping presents and decorating the home is enough to send any cancer patient back to bed. Offer to purchase Halloween candy and bring over a pumpkin or two to set on the front porch. Bake a turkey with all the stuffings for Thanksgiving. Grab the holiday gift list and spend a day shopping for your friend or loved one's presents. Help put up or take down festive holiday decorations. It will surely be a load off the cancer patient's mind, and will help you get in the holiday spirit, too!
To cancer patients:
Don't be overwhelmed by the holidays just around the corner. Now is the time to ask people for help. Whether you need leaves raked, your walkway shoveled or your car dug out of the snow, friends and family are just waiting to hear you say, "I could really use your help." Use this time to savor memories of holidays past and remember: by this time next year, you'll really have something to celebrate!
"A smile is a powerful weapon; you can even break ice with it."
-- Author Unknown
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WATER POWER! |
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Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA concluded that women who drank more than four glasses of water a day had nearly half the odds of getting colon cancer as women who imbibed two glasses or less. Subjects who drank coffee, soda, or juice didn't budge their chances of trouble.
Ann Shattuck, an epidemiologist, says water can turn your intestinal track into an express train in which troublemakers have no chance to stop and loiter. A similar effect may keep cancer from taking hold in the urinary tract, home to your bladder, kidneys, ureter and others. So drink up and tap into H2O!
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THE CHAT ROOM |
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Dear Cancer Club,
When I went for my presurgical visit for my gluteal flap, the plastic surgeon of course had five medical students (all good-looking young men) in tow. He was drawing in purple marker on my buttock. Here I am bare-assed on my stomach with six men looking at my rear! The surgeon was showing the students the major landmarks and said, "First, we locate a major dimple..." and I chimed in, "I'm sure there's more than one major dimple back there!"
I could tell that the students were trying hard not to laugh. Keep up your great work!
Susan Friedman, Coral Springs, FL
Dear Cancer Club,
As a nearly three-year surivor of colon cancer, I have enjoyed your newsletter and look forward to each new issue. As I approached the end of a year of weekly chemotherapy, I said to my husband, who was engrossed in ESPN, "When I finish the chemo treatments, I'd like to go somewhere special to celebrate."
Absent-mindedly, without taking his eyes off the TV screen, he nodded, "Yeah, OK."
"Like New York City," I went on. Instantly, he snapped to attention. HIs head spun around as he gasped, "NEW YORK??? I thought you meant out to eat!!"
As it turned out, I went to Europe to celebrate instead. With his blessing, I might add.
Carol S. Hartman Windom, MN
Dear Cancer Club,
My funny episode was a day at work. I own a small shop with flags, banners and windsocks. I was taking a windsock off the floor for a customer when another sock hanging from a battery-operated spinner got caught in my wig, spinning and spinning until it was wrapped up in all my plastic hair!
I had to remove my wig, take down the spinner from the ceiling, and carefully remove the metal. I thought I was going to wet my pants, I was laughing so hard! The customer ignored the entire thing. Ovarian cancer. Cancer free 8 months and counting!
Terri Horne, Cincinatti, OH
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HAVE YOU HEARD? |
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ABOUT...PROTANDIM™ ? . Recommended by Christine Clifford, this all natural supplement has helped her lower her cholesterol and get rid of severe arthritis. 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...WAITING FOR WINGS: A WOMAN'S METAMORPHOSIS THROUGH CANCER™? by Heidi Marble. A beautifully photographed journey of one woman's battle with inflammatory breast cancer Visit www.waitingforwings.com. or call (360)666-0072.
ABOUT...HAZ FOR HOPE™ ? Cancer awareness note cards. Visit www.hazforhope.com or call Amy at (317)409-3619 today!
ABOUT...RADIATION THERAPY FOR CANCER™ ? produced by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), this organization offers fee materials to help patients better understand how radiation therapy works. Visit www.rtanswers.org or email communications@astro.org.
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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 & 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 the mother of two sons,Tim (25) and Brooks (22) and step-mom to Harry, Jr., Walter, Cole and Cooper. She has a legendary flying cat Simone and is 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: NOVEMBER, 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 fabulous fall, and don't forget to laugh!™
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Warmest wishes, 
Christine Clifford, 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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