A wonderful email comes from nowhere.

On Sunday I got an email, through Facebook, from a total stranger.  She discovered me through a  comment I posted on a Facebook wall where I referred to the installation of my port as a Borg implant.  Which, of course, it pretty much is.

She was successfully treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and wanted to share some of her experiences with Borg technology.  Actually,  she didn’t exactly phrase it that way.  But that was what she was talking about.

Since she chose to email me rather than post on this blog (which she had discovered) I am not going to post her comments.  None-the-less, am posting my response to her email since it’s already written and I thought it would make a nice posting.

Consequently, the rest of this posting is what I wrote to her.

I had already figured out the medical establishment knows a great deal about science and almost nothing about healing. As much as I am dependent on their science, I am equally depending on my attitude, support system, and sense of humor to get me through this.

I am fortunate to be married to a nutritionist who is supplementing our already healthy diet with food known to enhance the immune system. For the most part, I am as healthy as a horse. I figure this will be a huge advantage.

I created the web site, at my wife’s suggestion, as a way to update our friends without having to send out a gazillion emails.

I immediately saw it as a valuable tool in working through my thoughts and feelings about what is going on. There is nothing like writing about what you are going through to dissipate the fear. Particularly when you make fun of the whole thing in the process.

Your doctor was smart to not let you see the side effects of your treatment. I’ve learned from the internet the potential side effects of my treatment. It’s not something that makes you want to paint happy faces on your toes.

I was initially concerned about my hair falling out. At this time it seems the least of my concerns. However, it is nice to hear yours remained in tact, even though yours was thick and mine is thin. We’ll see.

I know what you mean about the bravery thing. My wife, and many of our friends, are astounded by my positive approach, stoic attitude, and humor.  They don’t understand.

As you say, it’s about survival.  You just do what you have to do.  There is no other choice.

You don’t survive by whimpering, whining and crying. Though there are certainly times for all of those things. Survival depends on focusing your energy on beating this thing, and it takes too much focus to allow for the indulgence of self pity.

Speaking for both my wife and I, I thank you for your uplifting and healing thoughts. They are greatly appreciated.