<p>I know there are those on this board who have had medical struggles and they have my sympathy…but I just wanted to post about my own problems, sort of…</p>
<p>I called my friend this morning, wanting to talk about S2 and his back problems and about S1 and the very loud argument he had outside my home at 2:30 am and how embarassed I am that a neighbor asked me if I knew what went on last night.</p>
<p>The conversation came around quickly to the fact that she’d been at her mom’s for several days (she often stays over one night/week). Turns out mom’s cancer either recurred or a new one formed. I knew she’d had some kind of internal bleed because they recently found she was anemic and had blood in stool. They discovered 9 tumors in her abdomen, this after a clear scan in August…Don’t know if it’s the breast cancer or something new…</p>
<p>Regardless, I told her that her problems made mine seem like a day at the beach. Although I come on here and in my mind it’s the end of the world, sometimes I need to remember to step back because my problems are really quite minor. I KNOW this fact and I do think about it from time to time, but somehow, when a new thing crops up I forget that it’s really not a big deal. I hope I am fortunate enough to never know what a real problem is.</p>
<p>Thank you to those who give me support anyway, and even those who question what i say or do. I like to get advice and opinions even though I often think I know the real answer deep inside.</p>
<p>I hope everyone reading this has a nice day. And like my brother emailed out to his friends when he had 2 friends battling cancer (bad cancer in their mid 40’s) take the time to realize how fortunate you are. Play with your kids and hug your spouse…He said one friend emailed back, saying how horrible he thought he had it, going through a divorce, but learning of two HS classmates, dying from cancer, gave him persepctive.</p>
<p>I don’t think you have anything to be embarrassed about.</p>
<p>You had a problem. You came here looking for support and perhaps, practical suggestions on how to deal with it. There’s nothing wrong with that.</p>
<p>I think that the idea that people shouldn’t ask for help or advice unless their problems are earthshattering is misguided – especially on this board. People here seem happy to give advice both on major crises and on issues as minor as “Do you know any good inexpensive hotels in [name of city]?”</p>
<p>And all the sympathy in the world for people with huge issues in their lives isn’t going to get you the names of any hotels.</p>
<p>Good for you that you realize it - too many people I know really make mountains out of molehills and think that the world revolves around them. I have no patience with people who think the end of the world is approaching when 2" of snow is forecast - and clear all the shelves of the supermarket!</p>
<p>I agree with Marian. It’s the approach that is taken when posting or asking for advise that is important. Support comes in many ways, for big and small issues.</p>
<p>I actually didn’t mean to make that post be about me and peoples’ responses to me, but somehow I did! I meant it more to remind people that whatever their problem might be, as big as it might seem, there is probably somebody who has a much worse problem. Most of our problem’s are pretty insignificant. My friend would trade places with me in a heartbeat…Be grateful for what is right in your world.</p>
<p>njfootballmom, I want you to know that I’ve been thinking about you and your son quite a bit today. I don’t think you were making too big a deal about it at all. This is your baby and he is hurting…and worse, the thing he loves may be taken away from him. I cannot imagine the stress your family is going through, especially with all the well-meaning advice you’re probably receiving.</p>
<p>It is always good though, to put things into perspective. Even though football may be the most important thing to your son now, one day it will seem insignificant. It is surely helpful to step outside of our world sometimes - and to be reminded of how short (and sweet) life can be.</p>
<p>I think this is a wonderful supportive place (even if my family rolls their eyes when I talk about my CC friends.) Please continue to express your joys and sorrows here, along with the rest of us. It feels good to know we are in this together.</p>
<p>Both of my parents died from cancer after months of horrific surgeries and treatments, and a very young family member died suddenly a few years ago. All of this makes me realize that we need to protect our families even more vociferously - nothing is more important.</p>
<p>At some point we may be faced with an enormous challenge - no one is immune to cancer, certainly, and other life changing problems. That does not negate the day to day issues which have to be addressed, and still cause so much worry. Actually, I think it makes us worry more because we know how fragile life is! As a parent, your child’s well-being is a priority, so no apologies. Never feel that a problem is too small to want to talk about it and ask for advice. That is what friends are for - even cc friends!</p>
<p>Yes, you feel really bad when you are worried about something and then you realize it is nothing compared to what others are going through. But, when it’s about our kids it’s difficult to not worry.</p>
<p>After my son’s very disappointing freshman year in college, and his generally disappointing years at community college, my mantra has become, “he’s not dead or in prison, so it’s all good.” And I am not saying this in a flip way. Even among those in our CC family, both have happened.</p>