The title is in German, it hopefully means, optimism against cancer. Although my language confidence is sub par at the moment.
Today I’m writing a Genesungswunsch letter to Alex’s mom with much difficulty. In the last few months, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and after surgery to remove the lump, doctors found that it had spread to her lymph nodes in her arm pit. She was recently back in the hospital for an infection caused by the drainage tubes. Soon she starts chemotherapy and has already ordered her wig. This is what I have gathered. When I first heard the news everything seemed a bit surreal, unusually factual, positive, but devoid of emotion. Is this normal for Germans? What am I asking, cancer isn’t normal. It’s cancer.
So I’m sending her the German version of No Mountain Too High by Andrea Gabbard and writing this letter in German. I’m struggling to convey my sympathies even in my mother tongue. How can I not make this letter sound mechanical and foreign? Even in two years of being submerged by German, I’ve managed to stay in this middle ground with this language. Nothing too humorous, too intellectual, or too emotional. I can ‘t do it and no native speaker understands me when I try. But I guess that’s it. We try and keep trying. It’s a struggle but we find the willpower and the support of others. I’ve got my Duden Briefe book opened, leo.org, several websites up for inspiration and few others to increase my awareness of breast cancer. In the beginning, I really thought: I’m in the dark. I’ve got nothing. But maybe I have something after all. We have to stay optimistic.
You’re already miles ahead of many. Most wouldn’t take the time to care, in any language.
Best you and her both!
Cancer can happen to anyone. I am sending my best wishes for a complete recovery.
Optimism is a strong ally. Though I don´t know very much about you – after reading your post I totally agree with Robert. And that is why I´m sure Alex mom WILL understand exactly what you want to express no matter in which language that will be just as long as you do it with your own WORDS.
I wish I had a friend like you.
Best wishes to Alex mom.
Am so sorry to hear about Alex’s mom! It’s hard to know what to say in those situations in any language!
I hope that the chemo does its job and that she’s back on to the road to health very soon.
And just think: it is not possible to learn a language just by reading a book. You have to live it, breathe it, and learn it bit by bit in a wide variety of situations.
Up until now you have (hopefully) not really had to expand your vocabulary to include grief, worry and compassion. The context may be a difficult one, but this letter is yet another step in your quest to learn the language through and through.
And Alex’s mom will love you all the more for all the effort you are making!
Good luck!
Thanks Everyone for the words of encouragement and best wishes to Alex’s mom. I really hope the chemo works its positive wonders too. You guys are the best up-lifters. I’m mailing out the package after lunch and I feel pretty good about it. I hope she will too.
Best wishes for a quick recovery! With someone like you in her life spreading such positive energy anything is most definitely possible.
She will know you have gone to the trouble to express how you feel and that’s the important part, not whether or not your grammar is perfect.
Strength and good luck to you and your family.
hey, ive read this blog 3 times now and just dont know what to write except i think it’s wonderful that you care so much, and that i’m sorry alex and his family have to go through this.