Facing cancer with help from family, friends, and faith

You have cancer — an aggressive kind, but one that responds well to treatment.

My friend Patsy Lucas shared with me the words from her oncologist, noting that because it was an aggressive cancer, there was to be an aggressive treatment plan that would require one year of chemotherapy followed by radiation. That meant lots of unpleasant side effects that would be noticeable. (Telling the grandchildren was a concern and that will be next week’s column.)

She is now at the half way mark and over lunch last week, I asked “What helps?” Here’s what she said:

SELF TALK: I remind myself I come from TOUGH STOCK. My grandmother, at age 18, rode side saddle in the Run of the Opening of the Cheyenne Arapahoe lands and staked a claim on her own land.

SUPPORT: Strength comes from the prayers of family and friends and a dedicated medical team. My husband, Wes, is a loving, strong presence by my side, and accompanies me to appointments and treatments.

MENTAL HEALTH TECHNIQUES: Laughter, yoga, deep breathing, meditation, humor and cognitive therapy help drive out negative thoughts.

ADULT CHILDREN: They stay in touch. My daughter-in-law Ashlea Briggs brought casseroles for the freezer. Son Dane Briggs and wife Jenny, who live out of state, sent a plaque that reads

“WE DO NOT KNOW HOW STRONG WE ARE, UNTIL STRONG IS THE ONLY CHOICE WE HAVE.” When I texted them I was losing handfuls of hair and was going to cut it all off, son Derek Briggs texted back, “I will be glad to come and cry with you, or laugh with you and take pictures — whatever you need.” That is the sweetest thing he has ever said to me.

FAITH: My faith has been strengthened and I live in the present, with a new awareness that relationships are more important than tasks to be completed.

Enough said.