The editor:
“You have cancer,” are three of the scariest words anyone will ever hear. After I heard those words in December, 2002, I knew my life would never be the same again.
Many people do not realize that there are resources to help get you through this very difficult time. Having cancer is hard, but the American Cancer Society makes finding help easier. Through its Cancer Resource Network, the Society offers information, day-to-day help, and many forms of support to help those touched by cancer through their cancer experience. Some examples of free and confidential services include information on helping manage the side effects of treatment, understanding insurance issues, arranging transportation to appointments, or even talking with others who have had cancer.
When I first heard those words and was officially diagnosed with cancer, I was devastated. I felt that my life was over. So many of my friends and family had passed away with cancer and I thought, “Well, I won’t live with this dreaded disease.” I felt sorry for myself for a couple of weeks and kept thinking “Why me?” and then my next thought was “Why not me?” I finally decided that I could continue to feel sorry for myself and believe that I couldn’t survive this disease or I could start the battle and win.
As a cancer survivor, even though the odds were against me, I feel that I faced my diagnosis of cancer and won. Because of my experiences, I have learned how to make the best and most of life. Having a positive/optimistic attitude was the key in my circumstances.
I believe my diagnosis became a wake-up call. It made me realize that I wanted to experience life fully, not lose it. I could whine about my health and losing my hair, or I could continue living my life to the best of my ability and truly believe that cancer was not going to defeat me. I believe that I did just that by continuing my life in a positive manner. I continued to work and only missed on those days that I had chemotherapy. I had lots of prayers and support during my illness. Going through an illness like cancer, makes you more aware of all the things that are important and one of those is the love, support and prayers that you are given by your family, friends, co-workers and church family.
The American Cancer Society provided me with the resources I needed to fight back against cancer with courage and hope. I encourage every reader who may need it, to make use of these wonderful and very helpful services. They certainly improved my life.
Information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone seeking information can find it by calling 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345) or visiting www.cancer.org.
Phyllis DeHart
Morehead
Letters to the Editor
Cancer Resource Network is great tool
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Elliott County outreach changes
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the Elliott County Christian Community Center became an incorporated service organization. Christian Social Services congratulates the leaders in Elliott County for their enthusiasm, compassion and dedication to the people of Elliott County.
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Bring better movies to Morehead
Don’t you love a good movie? We certainly do BUT for me that does not include “R” rated films. Of the seven movies advertised in the 1/20/12 issue of the News, five were rated “R.”
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Abortion advocate change of mind
As the new year begins, it is quite common to see printed in a newspaper or magazine a list of the names of prominent citizens who passed away in the preceding year. I recently came across such a list, and the name of one individual in particular caught my attention: Dr. Bernard Nathanson.
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Large sign is unsightly
While driving to Morehead today, I was dismayed to see that Cracker Barrel has erected one of their typical ultra-high “signs on a stick.” I somehow thought that Morehead’s sign ordinance would protect our community from this unsightliness and that the sign would be the same height as those of surrounding businesses.
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Political cartoon was off the mark
I don’t know how the political cartoons you publish are chosen, but I take exception to the one in the Dec. 27, 2011 issue of the paper. The cartoonist obviously does not agree with Time magazine’s choice of The Protester as Person of the Year.
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Business owners say thanks
We would like to take this opportunity to thank The Morehead News and Noelle Hunter for the lovely article about the loss of our small business, Clay Makin’s.
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Contest helps learn about energy use
As the New Year approaches, many of us are thinking of ways to save money. One way to do that is to reduce your energy usage. This will save you money and save resources.
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Thanks for supporting speech team
The Rowan County Middle School Speech Team members and coaches would like to extend a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to Mr. Tom James, Kentucky Bank Branch Manager and father of 8th Grade speech team member Haley James and all the staff of Kentucky Bank for their recent generous and most appreciated financial gift to the speech team.
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Thanks for Haldeman Christmas program
The Haldeman Community Center board members would like to say “Thank You” to all who attended and supported our Christmas Program. We all enjoyed the play “The True Gift,” the man in the red suit and all the wonderful snacks.
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Storybook Christmas appreciates support
On behalf of the Storybook Christmas Committee, I would like to thank the community for generous support of our project again this year. Storybook Christmas is an annual project of the Adult Basic Education and Literacy (ABEL) Council and the MSU Adult Learning Center.
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Elliott County outreach changes
