I have been asked by the fabulous Kagome357 to give you her thoughts on this fantastic story:
"I read your story this morning, and it moved me to tears. I love it very much, and want everyone else to know how good it is!"
For myself, I say... yet another terrific story from one of my fave writers!
Being a cancer survivor (of oral cancer - rare for young(ish) women) and having gone through three seperate surgeries, it can be hard to make the adjustments to a world that isn't very forgiving.
You have chosen to highlight the thoughts and feelings, and the reactions of the world, for a more obvious and common form of cancer. Good. And by bringing up the similarities to others who have lost self-confidence, abilities and opportuniyes enhoyed by those unaffected by such issues, and the fact that the alteration or loss of a body part does change the person dealing with the issues, but doesn't change what they might want out of life. This is actually fairly enlightened.
I am taking classes in karate at a local dojo. Even the Master has admitted that he's had to work to get over the mental image of someone who has gone through chemo and radiation therapies as being fragile. I am nothing resembling fragile. I have some health issues as a result of the surgeries, the reconstructions, the chemo therapy (which tried to detroy my deigestive tract) and the radiation therapy, which did end up cooking my thyroid and my brain stem - and I lost hair from that, not the chemo.... - My scars are visible. The rest of my issues are not quite so apparent - oral cancer if caught early can be fairly well hidden, though there are changes to what and how you can eat, as well as your ability to speak clearly.
As a spend at least a day a week at my cancer hospital, I have seen people in stages from first diagnosis through the horrors of whatever treatment they decide on, to the once a year check-ups for those of us lucky enough to be considered surviviors. After fighting this same cancer since 2008, I was finally declared a non-patient this month. Now, I'm dealing with all of the emotional after-effects.
Doctors lie - for very good reasons - but they do lie. Patients wil tell you the truth. Dealing with the limitations and alterations caused by cancer and cancer treatments isn't easy and other patients can offer coping strategies and support that doctors never think about.
The support group, open the those trying to deal with the alterations Life has forced on them, is a Good Thing. And setting goals to meet on a regular basis? My therapists would pat you on the head and tell you that you got it right. Small goals, close limits. Push yourself to get past whatever is holding you back. All emotions are valid. And there are good ways to cope with the less positive emotions while still allowing them to be felt and dealt with.
I have greatly enjoyed this first chapter. I look forward to the rest of the story.
Best thoughts.... (And blame midoriHaru for bringing me over. She's the one who brought you up and suggested I read your story... ;) )
| This piece is really, really touching. I've never met a cancer survivor before, so I don't actually know how to deal with one. This is new, and also enlightening. I hope everyone who has cancer has a strong support from family and friends too :)
I'll comment on the lemon, since I was hoping that I'll read one, so that Sesshomaru had a chance to show her that she's desirable. Writing one is tricky, and can be stressing (lol I know I am), so after I read the last part... I was crying silently, not from how bad it was, but rather how good, deep, and emotional it was. When Sesshomaru said she's beautiful, I began to sniffle. When he kissed the scars, I cried-I couldn't help it. And when Kagome reciprocated, I feel like, "This is too beautiful." and they had yet to dwell deeper on their growing affection to each other!
The rest, I mean the opening-up-after-surgery process is written naturally, so I don't have any complain with that. Though, the most unforgettable scene throughout the story was when Kagome mashed the cupcakes-I feel proud of her, and happy for her too.
Thank you for writing this story! You, and also your betas, had done a great job :)
This was an amazing story. It had me go back in time to 1988 when I lost my older sister to breast cancer. This story gave me an insight to what my sister was more than likely feeling and the emotions that she was probably going through. She did not talk much about the surgery which removed both of her breasts. She died a year after the surgery.
Thank you for such a wonderful story. It was very well written with the characterizations and emotions right on point. The lemon part was nicely written and sweet for your first time. It almost felt like Kags and Sess were teenager lovers having sex for the first time.
I can hardly wait to read part 2. I am looking forward to next Christmas. Fantastic job!
Happy Holidays to you, your family and friends.
Vel (Chapter 1) - Mon 15 Dec 2014
Brilliant story, made me cry XD I can't wait for the second part :3
First things first, I want to say THANK YOU OH SO MUCH for dedicating this to me *wipes away a few tears* While the trials your Kagome faces differs from mine, she and I have very similar feelings of loss and despair, and the all too real and painful feeling that everything’s changed. So, yes, this fic touched a very personal chord for me.
Regardless, how you characterized not just Kagome’s inner turmoil but everyone’s, all the amputees and the loved ones trying to help, was spot on and marvelous. You have a way with words that will move even the most hardened of hearts. That, my friend, is a gift.
I enjoyed how you portrayed Sesshomaru. A modern man who went through such tragedy but somehow managed to take ahold of his life once more and realize there is still so much to live for and do. His characterization just breathes hope and strength, something I am still struggling to emulate, so I am in Kagome’s shoes here. Like her, I want to be more like this Sesshomaru, to accept and move on.
I enjoyed hearing about each and every one of the members to this amputee group. Though their stories are different from each other, they all shared similar pain, thoughts, and worries.
OMG! “Say my name,” Sesshomaru asked Kagome. *drowns in a puddle of my own drool* Awesome. Line. EVER! They be so sweet and cute one second, then steamy sexual tension the next! LOVE IT! I always adored this combination, both a platonic and romantic feel to it :3 And that lemon? Sweet yet erotic. And this is only your FIRST time writing one?! It was great *-* Like seriously.
Wonderful story, darling :)
I would like to thank you for this story. As I read your story I began to remember my life as it was two years ago. As I read I felt as if you had been standing in my bathroom on February 5 when I saw myself for the first time after my mastectomy. You really did nail it exactly. I greatly appreciate this story. I have read other Inuyasha fanfiction that involved breast cancer. I felt a little resentment at the use of breast cancer in most of them. However, there was not even a hint here. I feel as though while reading that you had live through it. This story gives me hope that very soon I will be able to get on with my life as the person I was working on becoming before the breast and uterine cancer. Once again thank you!
This was wonderful, Happy Belated Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas!
Nicole (Chapter 1) - Sat 13 Dec 2014
This is an amazing story! I love how you showed Sesshomaru and Kagome slowly (and quickly, when I really think about it) coming together and opening up to each other. You also did a great job showing the bouts of hesitance, hesitance, frustration, and courage. Finally, the lemon was very nicely done :)
I look forward to part 2 sometime in the next year :D
I think the way you handled the emotions of all the characters in this story is pretty commendable. Specially in regarding a situation that even now, many people dont exactly know how to address. Bravo for that! :D And I have read quite a number of your stories and I must say that I greatly enjoy what you write and how you write it.
| | | | | | | | | 