I have been asked to speak at our local Relay for Life event on May 15th about my experience as a caregiver. They have one survivor and one caregiver speak. This event runs from noon Sat to noon Sun and also has the survivor lap, lighting of the luminaries and other fun things going on. This is my first time for participating in this type of event. I hope I can do my 5-10 minute speech without breaking down. I have my doubts since it has only been 7 months and I'm still very emotional, but they don't have anyone else. They had a patient/caregiver team lined up to talk, but the patient just learned that she has to undergo chemo again so they both bowed out.

I'm not too sure yet what I am going to say. They bill this event as uplifting and a celebration of life after cancer. I told them Heather didn't suvive and I don't know how uplifting that is going to be, but I'll try. They want me to talk about how cancer affected the family, so I figure I can talk some about Heather's daughter Cati. Since she is doing so well, that may be encouraging for patients who have young children. I also plan to tell of how it brought some old friends back into our lives when they offered their support. Since we cared for Heather at home, I thought I could let people know that home care can be done by ordinary people. I figure if I could do it with no medical background, that may inspire other people to try also.

I am open to suggestions on what to say. Maybe some of you that have attended these events can remember what speeches you've heard and give me some tips. I haven't spoken in public for many, many years and can use all the help I can get!!! Thanks!

Rainbows & hugs,
Rosie