Oct 28, 2010 05:15PM beesie.is.out-of-office wrote:

Barbara, gogaserbia, Beth, Claire, Carol, jancie, Katiekay, Bren, Linda, Drim, Madalyn, Suzybelle, thenewme and Sharon  (and I hope I didn't miss anyone), thank you all so much!

As much as I love digging through the research (yup, I'm weird) and discovering new information, what's taught me the most are the other women on this board. Reading about what other women have gone through, reading about how others have made their decisions, reading about their concerns and issues, I've come to appreciate how different breast cancer can be for each of us. I can't tell you how much that helps me when I write a post in response to someone's concerns. I don't write just from my own experience but instead I try to incorporate what I've learned from everyone else.

So I thank everyone for their openness and for sharing their experiences; that's how we all learn more about breast cancer and how to get through this journey.  I also want to share this recognition with all the other "old-timers" who continue to come to the board to offer advice and support.  Being several years past the diagnosis and treatment period, I realize how differently I see things now versus how I saw things when my diagnosis was fresh and I was still going through treatment.  I think that it is really important to have a few of us here who provide this longer-term perspective.  So a big Thank You! to all the other old-timers.  I would mention names but I'm afraid that I would leave someone out. You all know who you are though!

p.s. Suzybelle, the challenge is in sometimes having to separate what you write from how you are feeling!  Sort of like a duck, calm above the water but paddling like crazy just below the surface.  As long as you don't see what's below the surface, the illusion remains.

Oct 28, 2010 05:19PM DawnRenee wrote:

Bessie was the first lady to answer my cry for help. She was patient & kind & helped me understand my diagnoses more than any doctor cared to.

I am amazed how much all of the ladies have meant to me over the past 18 months. It's like family, the relationships we've created.

To you Bessie, I send undying gratitude. You are the most amazing woman & I am sure you have touched more lives than you will ever know.

Oct 29, 2010 06:56PM - edited Aug 20, 2013 06:03AM by leaf

I'll be very honest here - I think Bessie and I had some disagreement several years ago when I was first diagnosed or had my 2nd or 3rd biopsy, but I really can't remember what it was about anymore. I can remember being angry.  That's all.

Thank GOODNESS I can't remember. I can't imagine what upset me now.  I must have been in some really crazy place.  Thank goodness she has been so helpful, and, I think she understood that I was in a place that didn't make sense.

So I'm a real Bessie fan now.   I think she's one of the best writers around, and what really wipes me off my feet is how she knows what she doesn't know. Her heart is in exactly the right place. Her writing is so clear, kind, and helpful.  I'm so glad she's around.  

Oct 30, 2010 12:31AM Laurie08 wrote:

I agree, thank you Beesie.  You are amazing.

Jan 23, 2011 04:49PM weesa wrote:

Glad to see this revived. I never miss a Beesie post, even though the topic is often DCIS and not applicable to me, I just love the way she writes and thinks.

Also, a big fan of you, Otter.