Cancer Sucks: What not to Say

I thought about changing that title. I thought that maybe it might offend some people, but really, how else would you title this?

Everyone knows someone who has had their lives changed by cancer. When I learned that my dad had prostate cancer it was as if a ton of bricks hit me. I answered the phone and my mother delivered the news. I hung up and I was a mess. I didn’t know what to do, what to think, what to say. I was so grateful that my sister-in-law was with me. She grabbed me by the shoulders, looked me in the eyes and said, “BREATHE!”

In the coming months, it was a difficult transition for everyone. My father was always happy, always smiling, always positive. I knew that I could never bear it if that changed.

What do you say to someone who has cancer?

Let me introduce you to Kathleen Mattera of Brooklyn, NY,  a Police Administrative Aide who works for the NYPD. Born hard of hearing, Kathleen became profoundly deaf when she was 7 years old. As if that wasn’t enough of a challenge in life, at the age of 31 she was diagnosed with stage 4 Breast Cancer.  I came across a video she made last night on Facebook. I clicked and was mesmerized by her message. It’s raw, it’s real…..and she has something she wants us all to know.

Listen to Linda G weekdays from 2-7 pm on 105.5 FM, online at kicks1055.com/listen-live/ or by downloading the radioPup app for your mobile device.