My dad just called (because it's my birthday) and while we were talking he mentioned that one of my cousins died from cancer on the 2nd of November. This is the second cousin I lose to cancer this year, both had breast cancer. It makes me sad, both because of the fact that they both were very nice people, who I played with as a child, and because both of them had kids. But also I didn't know, which makes me feel guilty for not keeping contact with my cousins on my dads side. Of course, we were never as close as I was with my cousins on my mother's side, and we didn't meet much after we grew up, but still.
This is of course also information that is important for me, since breast cancer is hereditary. Luckily both having twins and long nursing decreases the risk for breast cancer.
I've had most (but still very infrequent) contact with their parents, my aunt and uncle and I can't even imagine how horrible it must be to lose your children. Especially my aunt, since she has already lost her other child, my cousin Conny, when the ferry Jan Hewelius sank in a storm in 1993.
And to top it off, my dad had just heard from my little brother's fiancée that my brother has skin cancer. He says it's nothing serious, but we don't know, because that's what he would say anyway.
PS. I don't want any cheer-me up phone calls.
herzeloyde, you're welcome to come over so we can order jeans.