When I was diagnosed with cancer, I asked my friends to join me at the local pub, raise a pint and wish me well as I started on a very long journey. I have the most extraordinary group of friends, they are doctors, lawyers, marketing executives, CEO’s of homes, teachers – they are my friends. They are mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, and I don’t know think I could make this journey without them.
My friends come from different parts of my life. They are fellow moms and dads, who commiserate over raising our children together. They are co-workers, who have toiled long hours on projects that seem to never end. They are members of my church family that bring the warmth of community to our home. They are knitters, whose needles click together over cups of tea as sweaters, scarves and hats are made. These remarkable women and men, some who know each other, some who don’t, have banded together and have become a force to be reckoned with. They call themselves TEAMJoan.
TEAMJoan. Sounds like a superhero, doesn’t it. Believe, these women and men are nothing short of superheroes. They have mobilized, organized and create laughter in their wakes. Using a book called, “Share the Care” they had pooled their hidden talents to help me battle my monster called cancer. They have fundraised on my behalf, provided comfort food that warmed our hearts, and they have sat with me as the tears have flowed out of my eyes. I am not ashamed to say that I love these people…..even more today then yesterday. And the love grows each day.
The book, “Share the Care” is about all about sharing the care of those you love during long illness. I am on very long journey and know that I need help. The book has helped me and my friends understand that one person can do it. While some people can cook up fabulous meals, others can arrange milk to be delivered to your home for your children, and even others take on the role of laundry fairies when you least expect it. One of the hardest workers on the TEAMJoan has teased me that all I have to do is live, while they are working their asses off (pardon my language). Their medicines have included lasagna, laughter, hugs and good jokes.
Their names are Terri, Jane, Katy, Behan, Susan, Bob, Julie, Janet, Scott, Bridgette, Chelle, Andrea, and so many others. Don’t you think that’s pretty normal names for superheroes? So here the deal, I need these people and they need you. This will be a long journey for me and them. And I worry about my love ones. The more superheroes on this journey, the easier it will be for me to win the battle against this monster cancer. I feel like I need to lighten the load on all of my superheroes. Would you like to join the ranks of superheroes? What would Batman be without Robin? What is SpongeBob without Patrick? I know that I have to have help and the less I have to ask of any one person, the easier it is on everyone. Can you help me take care of my friends so that I can win the battle?
This is hard to do for me to do, however if you are interested in wearing a red cape and leaping tall buildings…..or maybe just providing good knock, knock jokes (my kids, including my 45 year old one, love knock, knock jokes) please contact Behan at giffordclan@msn.com or Bob at island8780@msn.com.
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