fight for the cause - not against the diagnosis

*I took this post from another neuroblastoma mom...I thought it was very well written for someone in these shoes. I wanted to post her words for others to read. You can visit her link on the right of this page under "cancer mom".*

Don't Pity Me
I can tell when you're doing it. I see the look on your face, and I can tell.People sympathize, they feel pain with us. Often, they have been through this type of experience--dealing with cancer face-to-face, hospital waiting rooms and random acts of kindness and unexpected lab results. I truly appreciate that sharing look, the understanding look of those who feel that pain and want to make it better.But the other folks. The ones who are secretly thinking--I'm so glad I'm not you. It's no secret. We, the people you pity, can see it in your eyes. I know you hang up the phone and tell someone that I'm 'holding up remarkably well', or that you 'don't know how she does it'.Guess what? I don't want your pity, and I don't deserve it.Don't get me wrong, it means a lot to me when someone will listen to my story. I can't tell you how much strength I've received from friends, acquaintances and strangers who are moved by my family's predicament and our fight against it. Your pity doesn't help fight. It doesn't help me keep going on the days I want to stop and scream. All it does is drain me--and I can't afford that.Thanks.