MY WORD

By Sharon Anderson

12/18/21

Do you have a word that inspires what you want to do or how to be?  A word you can use to get you through confused and troubled times? A word that lifts you up and gives you direction? It sounds simple, but a single word can be a powerful tool to help you cope with your cancer.

A fellow LMS survivor, Dondee Murray was visiting with me. She knew instantly what her word was… “BREATH.” We made a simple bracelet with the word breath, stamped on a metal ring. She looks down at her word to remind her to pause and take a breath when her world is racing and she is stressed. It makes all the difference to help her cope.

Martha Carlson, breast cancer survivor, wrote, “Searching for My Cancer Words” in Cure Magazine, 7/27/21:

And?” is where my heart goes. Maybe I’m reverting to my pre-teen self, but right now it’s the only word that captures my life. My cancer experience is not an either/or, zero-sum life.

I have cancer and I’m going to live.

I live with loss and I live with hope.

I am angry and sad and joyous and scared.

“And” is why when a friend is lost or anxious, I can remember that feeling one thing doesn’t mean you don’t feel many other emotions at the same time. It reminds me that when I feel jealous or ignored, there is room for you and me and everyone else. People and emotions are not pie slices, we’re each an entire pie with whipped cream and ice cream.

I asked our LMSDR Facebook support group for their words, and here is what the members shared with me.

•  Refuse to sink

•  Persevere

•  Be present

•  Just keep swimming

•  Warrior

•  Grandchildren

•  Badass

•  Mind over matter

• Courage

•  Hope

• Live

•  Faith

•  Knowledge

•  Grace

• You got this

• Joy

•  Together

•  Possible

•  Alright (everything is gonna be)

•  Believe

•  Gratitude

Would you like your word stamped on a bracelet? I bought the tools from My Intention, just to help follow LMS survivors and loved ones along their cancer journey. LMSDR is selling these bracelets to help raise money for LMS research, because that is where we believe our hope is.

How to order a bracelet

Bracelets are black or purple with a slip knot and silver rings. You can have 1-3 small words (example, I am brave, love more or be strong.)

1.      Make a suggested donation of $100 or more to LMSDR * HERE *

2.      Email your donation receipt, your word, name and address to 2SharonAnderson@gmail.com.

3.      A confirmation will be sent to you, and your bracelet will arrive in 14 days.

Wear it proudly and know you helped support LMS research with your donation!