Chapter 27 We are all . . . Cancer Travelers

Chapter 27

We are all  . . . Cancer Travelers

It was April 7, 2012 when I first met Floyd, less than six months ago.  

That is when our journey  began . . . .

Since then, we have expanded our promise to not only to do our part create more  awareness 2 find a cure 4 cancer, as shared in Chapter 1, but to include stories from other folks who know that we are all “cancer travelers” [including] our loved ones.

You may remember that Floyd & I used the term “cancer travelers”, in Chapter 24. Because, unfortunately, not all people who have been diagnosed with cancer are survivors, but all are making the journey.

As I continue to take my guidance from Floyd, she made an intuitive statement to me "that loved ones, friends, and acquaintances’ of those who have or will be diagnosed with cancer" 
are also . . .

 Cancer Travelers.

Since writing Chapter 24, I have been doing more online research to discover other like-minded folks who also know what it means to be a cancer traveler. 

While this shift has taken Floyd & I away from exploring the Delta as much as we originally intended . . .

 Connecting with “folks” who recognize that we are all “cancer travelers” and have made a commitment to create more awareness . . .

 is really what Floyd and I “intended” when we began this adventure, so that we can share our "awakening" with others.

Floyd just told me that I took “way too much” time to introduce, Anne Orchard, from the UK to our readers.

While “googling” for folks who are in tune with what it means to be a cancer traveler,

 I came across Anne Orchard’s Blog.

 After reading Anne’s Blog and her Support Group Book Giveaway program

posted on her Families Facing Cancer website . . . 

I was compelled to contact her to get her permission to share her

 “commitment” to cancer travelers with the readers of;

 “The Story of Joe & Floyd”.

This morning, Anne gave me permission to share her journey with you.

Anne’s Book,

 ‘Their Cancer – Your Journey’ 

is the focus of her Support Group Book Giveaway program posted on her 

Families Facing Cancer website.

 Life in the Cancer Fallout Zone , is one of her Blog sites . . .

“Exploring hopes and fears of friends and family in difficult times”

[A little] About [Anne . . .]

Anne Orchard is based in Dorset, UK. Her areas of expertise include offering support to those affected by illness or death of a loved one and helping them to rebuild their lives.
Following the death of her mother from cancer in 1991, and her mother-in-law’s experience of breast cancer in 2004, Anne became increasingly aware of the valuable work performed by charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support and also hospices. Her involvement with her local day-care hospice when living in Derbyshire inspired her to explore ways in which to share the positive philosophy she discovered there. As she researched, she realised she was uniquely qualified to help those who are related or closely connected to cancer sufferers. They are also affected by the diagnosis of the disease, and yet support is so often lacking for them. Anne was inspired to write her book ‘Their Cancer – Your Journey’ to act as a guide to carers/caregivers, family and friends of those with cancer. It provides helpful insights and advice right through from when you hear the news to many years after recovery or bereavement, when you are making sense of what this journey meant in your life. To hear Anne talking about the book and sharing insights on Bay Radio, visit Bay Radio Interview
Anne is now running a worldwide online support organisation, Families Facing Cancer. This is a place for people in the Cancer Fallout Zone – families, friends colleagues etc who are affected by someone else’s diagnosis. Sharing your hopes and fears, plus finding out how others have also been affected, will help you cope with the stress. There is also help via email or telephone, plus a wide variety of resources to find out more information and connect with other places that can help.
When she is not being positive about how people can transform the traumatic experience of cancer into a force for good in their lives, Anne enjoys walking on the beach, taking her boys out for picnics, reading and watching movies with her husband.

Floyd & I seemed to know from the beginning . . .

 that our friends in the UK and across the world,

Recognize that . . .

We are all  . . . Cancer Travelers . . .

The time Floyd & I spent to discover Anne . . .

was worth being at our Berth, as Anne's words speaks for all of us.

Borrowed from Anne  . . .

[We are all] . . . "uniquely qualified to help those who are related or closely connected to cancer sufferers . . . .”

Til’ we chat again, Floyd & Joe

post script: This is one of Floyd's favorite photos, so she insisted that I include it in this post.

Find time to visit with family & friends . . .

TOGETHER WE CAN FIND A CURE . . .

By . . .

“Changing the Conversation”