Cancer is on my mind a lot right now. My wonderful, vibrant, energetic grandmother has just been diagnosed with a somewhat rare form of the disease and is in stage four. She recently underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The chemo sent her to the hospital for a month in September and then sent her, again, for four days this week. It has been awful. Frightening, really.
Grandma’s cancer has meant our family has had to quickly get up to speed with the disease and how to treat it. Her doctors have told us today they’re not looking for a cure: she’s 81. They’re looking for a “management programme” that will allow her to live the longest (number of years, please God) in the best possible health. It sounds like a good plan. 
While the doctors treat her with medicine, we, her family and friends, are treating her with love, support, laughter, healthy food and encouragement. On the latter front, grandma’s friend Laura M gave her a book called When You Need to Know Your Strength: Messages of Hope for People Living with Cancer, written by Melvina Young. It’s a wonderful gift to give and it’s a wonderful gift to receive.
The book is small. It can be read in ten minutes. It’s divided into four sections: 1) for when you need encouragement; 2) for when you need to know your strength; 3) for when it gets hard; and 4) for when you need to know you are loved. Melvina wrote it after a relative and a couple of close friends were diagnosed with cancer. In the prologue she writes, “I wanted desperately to offer words of encouragement and hope. I wanted to express my love and support. Instead, I found myself at a loss for what to say.” (Sounds familiar.) Melvina asked others for advice, listened well and offers us this little book to share with friends and loved ones who are battling their cancer.
I offer it as a gift idea for you. May it help you bring comfort into the life of your friend or family member who has cancer. When a day gets really bad, sit and read it aloud to them. Leave it in on a table so whomever visits may read it too. Doctors have medicinal therapy for fighting this disease…we have love and encouragement. Together the combination is powerful.
Please keep my grandmother in your thoughts and prayers and let me know if you have someone who needs remembering too.
In an Irish Home 
I have the privilege of working with Melvina, and I am so glad to read that her book has offered some comfort during this difficult time. Thinking of you and your grandmother- André
Hello André! Thank you for visiting In an Irish Home and for taking time to write about your friend and colleague, Melvina. Her book really was so helpful during my dear grandmother’s recent illness. I don’t know if you revisited In an Irish Home but my grandmother passed away in early November. I miss her. She was not your typical “granny” – at 80 she was learning tai chi and Spanish (not at the same time!), working out with her personal trainer, collecting friends and inspiring everyone who knew her. It was my good fortune to be her granddaughter. And now changing directions, I checked out your blog “toomanycookies”. You’re fascinating! Martha, cooking, writing, getting married, opening up your heart and soul – I’m hooked. If I can be of any help with your wedding plans, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ve written three books on wedding planning and was the first wedding planner in Ireland (I was sometimes called the Irish Martha Stewart…is that a good thing?!). Best wishes to you. Hope we can stay in touch. xo Kim
The Irish Martha Stewart? How absolutely wonderful. The wedding plans are going forward as planned with a new little snag. I’ve been relocated to Bloomington, Indiana for six months and so my partner and I are living eight hours apart right now. We’re putting all the plans together via email and telephone. I think this absence will make the time together during the wedding mean even more. I love your blog and your generosity in sharing dear memories and wisdom. I lost my granny after Katrina hit New Orleans back in 2005. I wrote about that experience, too. It’s at-
http://toomanycookies.wordpress.com/2011/04/24/its-a-snap-martha-brandy-snaps-209-eggs-159-cups-of-sugar-156-34-sticks-of-butter-and-195-13-cups-of-flour-used-so-far-56-recipes-to-go/
I’m afraid the story is in three parts.
Hope you like it.
Oh André, thank you for sharing the three blogs about your grandmother. My heart ached for you, cried with you, and rejoiced in your ability to see so many beautiful moments during what must have been a right awful time. You’re a very talented writer! What will you do when you finish your cookie blog? Keep writing, please, there’s just so much in you to share. Speaking of sharing, glad to hear your wedding plans are moving along nicely. It is a bother to be doing the planning long distance and without the fun of having Dan close by but when your big day arrives there’s no doubt it will lovely. The most important thing to keep in mind is to make the celebration all about the two of you (and get a great photographer!). Let me know if you want/need any Irish customs to honor that part of your heritage. I’m happy to help! In the meantime, keep writing. Can’t wait to read more! xo Kim