Yesterday I went to a luncheon sponsored by the New England Coalition for Cancer Survivorship with a friend. She has had breast cancer and remarked when we arrived that she wasn't used to seeing men at cancer events. Breast cancer events are mostly filled with pink clad women.
The lunch was wonderful with recognition of many people who are helping people with cancer cope with life after treatment - a worthy cause. I knew several people there and made some new friends and connections.
However I started thinking (a dangerous undertaking to say the least) and decided I need to get more involved with the worlds of fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. I don't have connections. I don't know people involved.
There is a monthly pain support group that meets locally and has people with all kinds of pain ailments. I have attended once a few years ago and have recently wanted to go back. I believe the last two meetings were cancelled due to blizzards. I will try for the next one if I can but it might be when we have house guests.
I know there is life out there beyond cancer. I work for a man who has two children with cystic fibrosis, a nasty diagnosis to say the least, and he and his family are very involved with the CF world. I have a friend with MS and she is very involved with the local MS society (and wonders why they provide buffet meals for people with mobility issues).
So as I cut back on things in my life, I find I also need to expand into new areas as well. Instead of living in the cancer all the time channel, I need to add the fibromyalgia and rheumatoid as well. I am sure I have the energy for all this.
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