1. Posted by Nan on Tue, Apr 08, 2008, 6:57 am PDT

Lillie - I think everyone with this disease has some kind of obligation to give back. When I was really sick, I was amazed at how many people came out of the woodwork to support me. No one bailed!! It really solidfied my opinion, as Anne Frank said, that most people in this world are good. I am much more slower to judge and much more understanding with others. It gives me great pleasure to do good. However, I get so angry at this disease. I was in a yoga class last week and fell down ( I have no feeling in one foot) and it made me so so angry that I have difficulties where I once did not. Sounds selfish but that anger bubbles up in me at least a few times a year. Even when I think of those much worse off than me it doesnt' stop me from being angry over the changes in my body over the past few years...

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2. Posted by julietmcaleese on Mon, Apr 14, 2008, 3:45 am PDT

Dear Lillie I am a physician working with a national mammographic screening program in Ireland. We only start screening women at fifty. Unfortunately I have been diagnosed with breast cancer myself ending up with a mastectomy and four positive nodes. Having reviewed the ACS website I now realise that at 47 I should have been screened. I am anxious to try and increase awareness here about the dangers for women in their forties and the importance of regular mammography. Can you give me any ideas about how to go about this mammoth task? Thanks Juliet

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3. Posted by kayrun@sbcglobal.net on Sat, Apr 26, 2008, 6:53 am PDT

Lillie, I've received your column for years, partly due to the fact that I have participated in the Susan G. Komen race for the cure or the ACS Relay for Life a couple of times and I have never posted a comment, not even once. My mother, who turns 65 in August, just found out the results of her latest mammogram on Thursday--there is cancer and I just don't know how to handle it. She's never ever been sick in her life, but always taken care of anyone who has been. I live 10 hours away from her and I am trying to be strong for her as well as my family. While she's very positive about it right now, we still won't know the prognosis until Tuesday when she sits down with the doctors, but I do want to thank you for this positive outlook.

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4. Posted by bloth44 on Mon, Apr 28, 2008, 1:11 pm PDT

I have never considered my cancer a gift, but many positive things have come from it. I have been overwhelmed with the kindness and goodness of people, I have a renewed faith in God, and I truly appreciate each day and try to live each day to the fullest. I've gained a much better perspective on what is really important in life. I'm also try to give back to others who have been diagnosed and have found that it does make a difference.

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5. Posted by ACE on Wed, May 07, 2008, 9:10 am PDT

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in June 2007. To receive the news was a heart-breaking one to me, but I decided that instead of worrying about this, I would keep a positive attitude, which in the long run worked out the best. The more you keep a positive attitude, the better off your healing process will be. I surprised my doctors and medical staff by keeping that positive attitude. We as individuals that have developed this "blessing, gift, or whatever you want to call it, are strong individuals in our fight against breast cancer. This is life and how we deal with our lives, is how we deal with cancer.

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6. Posted by schnoodle06 on Fri, Aug 15, 2008, 9:47 pm PDT

Yes I did feel cheated when I first found out. I didn't smoke or drink and ate pretty good and to this day when I see someone smoking I want to shove it in there mouth. It makes me kinda angry. But on the other hand while taking chemo. I have meet 4 wonderful friends that I love with all my heart and would of never meet them any other way. I had to travel 2 hours to get treatment in a area that I would have never gone. My out look on life is very different now and God has taken good care of me and I was able to meet 4 Christians. Only people that have had this can truley understand what we have been thru. God has been good to each and everyone of us and I pray for them and anyone else that is going thru this. Teresa H.

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