75. Series: Part 13: Cancer Survivors’ Day Celebration with The Nanny
Posted originally in 2007, reposted in 2012
I am uplifted and happy; I attended the Cancer Survivors’ Day Celebration today. I didn’t know what to expect; I thought a few hundred people would attend a brunch in the air conditioned hospital and Fran Drescher would speak. Not.
In a huge, and I mean huge tent, 3,000 cancer survivors and family and friends were toasted with champagne, given brunch, flowers, goodies, and raffle gifts. It was exhilarating to be among so many people who, like me, have their own personal stories related to their cancer journey. The music played, people danced and celebrated; it’s easy to celebrate once you’ve had cancer; you’ve got to thumb your nose at it and declare that you are still “here.”
I was able to get some photos I would like to share…almost got tossed out by security, but I got the pictures. By the way, Fran’s body guard, replete with shades and a diamond stud earring was keeping an eye on Esther who was wheeled around in a chi-chi little net wagon.
Seems like you have a great time…and the autograph too 🙂 Cool pictures and videos, thank you for sharing this.
Saturday June 2, 2007 – 06:41pm (PDT)
- spazz…
yes, thank you for sharing! I think she is a wonderful wonderful lady! and I think you are too!hugs!!!lot’s of love!
Saturday June 2, 2007 – 11:57pm (CDT)
- Agnes in Paris
Sounds you had a great time. That must be the first time I see Manolo Blahniks on a real person LOL, no I don’t watch the “Sex and the city” serie but I’m aware he is known for his shoes as well as Jimmy Choo (no series but I’ve seen “the devil wears Prada”) BTW what’s the name of the doggie in the US series? You’re right you got GREAT photos!
Sunday June 3, 2007 – 12:58am (PDT)
- denisH
Yea, to survival…a whole lifetime to go!!!
Sunday June 3, 2007 – 06:08pm (EDT)
- Tee-b…
“Cancer Schmancer”..I can just hear Fran Drescher saying that!! Glad you had such an inspiring day!!
Sunday June 3, 2007 – 06:25pm (EDT)
- redhe…
LOL I didn’t know that was the name of her book, how perfect is that? And wow you got some amazing shots! That sounds like it was an incredible, uplifting event, and I am so happy you had the opportunity to go. I love her, and think it’s great she was involved! And I love Manolo Blahniks, sigh!
I’m glad it went well, and sending you every possible good thought for the coming week. Thanks for sharing this with us! Hugs!!!!
Sunday June 3, 2007 – 08:45pm (EDT)
- Lex
Wow…you’re a cancer survivor. I’m so proud of you. There’s never an easy task dealing with cancer. But you’ve made it. Congratulations, Sue. (^O^)v
Monday June 4, 2007 – 11:59pm (ICT)
- Nicho…
Fantastic! Excellent blog, so glad all’s clear on your mammogram!
Thursday June 7, 2007 – 03:50pm (EST)
- Sunny…
She’s awesome and so pretty!!!!! You’re an awesome woman to have made it through, just like she did!!
Saturday July 21, 2007 – 12:49am (EDT)
Well, guys, after not being able to sleep the night before the mammogram, the night after it I was exhausted and woke up ill in the middle of the night. I presume that all the stress leading up to that mammogram reared its ugly head from my subconscious and my gut and whammed me. Then I was in touch with all the anxiety that I must have been holding in. It came in the form of real physical pain. I needed yesterday to regroup.
Last Saturday, when I went to the Cancer Survivors’ Day Celebration, there was a bag of goodies at each seat; we all got a little pot of impatiens–it reminded me that PATIENCE and hope win in the end, and in the small white shopping bag there was “brunch;” a huge croissant, jam, a yogurt, water, and something joyful at the very bottom. A big, fat, 4″ diameter, blue and white, smiley face cookie.
I have yet to unwrap it and I doubt that I will. I am going to keep it and save it, see how it fares over the year to the next Cancer Survivors’ Celebration. When I look at it, it makes me feel good; it’s smiley face reminds me of whimsy, of the hope we all feel as children, of the magical thinking, of joy. It reminds me of my friends on 360° whom I never met but feel like I have and know so well in a short time. It reminds me of all that people must endure and face; little people like Freddy Osborn, big people like me, people who face war each day, or famine. People who would love to tear into my smiley face cookie because they may not have had a few grains of rice in the last week, or may not be able to pay their bills. Maybe they don’t have health insurance, or a 401K. Maybe they don’t know the joy of friendship.
I am rich; I have eaten today, my bills are paid, my kitties are playing, my family is healthy, I have wonderful people surrounding me and I am still here. And it is time to write my story. My cancer story. Because someone out there needs hope. I am ready to look back and face it. It may take a while to piece the details back together–the fragments and shards of shock and fear through recovery. But I will do it and I will do it well. However long it takes. Because I am still here. And this cookie ain’t gonna crumble.
Thursday June 7, 2007 – 12:50pm (EDT)
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sanssouciblogs wrote on Oct 14, ’08
Come see Fran Drescher!
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truly inspirational!
Thursday June 7, 2007 – 10:44pm (BST)
Yes, that was inspirational!!! We do need to appreciate all the good things we do have!!! I hope everything goes well for you, I’m sure it will!!! I saw you through Biggy’s page, isn’t he great??!!!!
Thursday June 7, 2007 – 06:11pm (EDT)
(((Hugs!!!)))) I hope you are feeling better today, and that all of the stress is gone now that you’ve gotten good news. I agree that your story will give hope and inspiration. And I love the way you view the smiley cookie. You’re the best my friend, big hugs!
Thursday June 7, 2007 – 06:51pm (EDT)
Just love it when I find positive people who know how to enjoy life. Cheers!
Thursday June 7, 2007 – 06:03pm (CDT)
Bite me you say!! hahaha!.. that’s my girl!! My Alyssa has me spend countless minutes drawing smilies on her sketch-pad and on our sidewalk using chalk! Alyssa’s 2 years old, and smilies are her favorite’s. Well, just when I thought I was about out of smiley fluid, here comes Sue’s cookie! Now I’m left trying to make sense out of this smiley phenomenon. OK, here’s my take on the smiley. It seems like a simple way for one to express hope ,love, happiness, and appreciation of life. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a smiley must be worth a thousand books. SO..I’m on my way to purchase another bag of sidewalk chalk!! WE love Ya Sue:):):):):):):)
Thursday June 7, 2007 – 06:27pm (CDT)
Haven’t known you long, BUT…you seem like one sweet AND tough Cookie!! 🙂 We are all survivors in a way…every single human on this earth. This was a wonderful entry to read, as I wind down my day. I Love the illustration(the women’s backs), too.
Thursday June 7, 2007 – 08:57pm (EDT)
You know I am smiling with you this morning as I just read this!It made me think of those baker’s clay Christmas ornaments we made one year, see, every year it has been our family tradition at Christmas to make a new ornament ,one for each of us, for our tree. I made some that were quite intricate, but the boys made Smileys! It’s all about the simple things! Love you! Huggs!
Friday June 8, 2007 – 06:37am (CDT)
YES!!! Now you’re talking. What a survivor you are. I have such a great luck to be able to be one of your friends here. Yep, that’s why when people celebrating their birthday, I always wish them 2 things. Happiness (for the soul) and great health (for the body). Simply 2 things, but those are the most important thing in this world, as long as we’re still wanna live longer. I know you can do the cancer story of yours. Cos by doing it, you help others, A LOT. I’ll be waiting here impatiently. And please warn me if I need some Kleenex, cos I’m a cry baby/tearjerker. I should be embarrased by confessing such thing like that, but why do I feel that I’m gonna laugh out loud? Waaahahahahahahahahahaha…(^O^)v
Friday June 8, 2007 – 07:47pm (ICT)
I think with a second chance,you will value the small things in life like a smiling cookie..Papa
Friday June 8, 2007 – 01:53pm (PDT)
Bless you.
I have a dear friend who lost both of hers at age 34, and is in Stage IV (remission). A mammogram isn’t fun — or so I’ve heard — but it’s far better to know than not.
You are truly rich!!!
Friday June 8, 2007 – 06:35pm (PDT
I love your little blue smiley biscuit too. What a symbolic blog too. I do hope the mammogram was OK.. and you caught up on your sleep. I cant imagine what you were going through.. hugs. But yes, you are right.. we all are rich.. and its good to reflect and remember this… I look forward to you sharing part of your journey
Saturday June 9, 2007 – 08:48am (BST)
Wht a wonderful message in your last paragraph Sue. WE would all do well to reflect on those things at the end of each day and ponder on all the positive things in our lives rather than ruminating over the negative.
You will do well with your book. It’s going to make a great read: you are smart, articulate, and incredibly funny to boot. Take that effervescent and quirky sense of humour into the pages and you absolutely cannot fail to make a difference in a lot of lives.
Saturday June 9, 2007 – 04:12pm (PDT)
Been reading through your blog site and found it very inspiring. Hope your mammogram results came back with good news. I know you can write your story and it will be an inspiration to others. I will walk a few miles in your name at our Relay for Life in August.
Saturday June 9, 2007 – 09:07pm (CDT)
Nothing else to say, other than ((((((big great bear hugs))))))
Sunday June 10, 2007 – 08:05am (PDT)