The Cancer Poetry Project

The Cancer Poetry Project is a really cool project that I ran across while surfing the net.  A book compiled of poems, the mission of the project is to "capture the cancer experience".  Some of the poems I read were sad, and some happy.  They were all written by cancer patients, or their families. 

Here is an excerpt from the book:

FAREWELL TO HAIR
by Terri Hanson

I stood outside on a windy day
and ran my fingers through my hair.
Long strands of silky threads
blew across the lawn.
They glistened in the sun,
too many to count.
I imagined a nest,
lined with my mane,
woven by a mama bird.
The babies nestled,
snug inside,
warmed by my fallen tresses.
Now on the wintry nights,
when my head is cold,
I pull my wool cap
over my ears and smile
as I dream of baby birds
sleeping in my hair.



Have you faced cancer in one form or another?  There is an open call for poetry submissions that will run through 4/30/2012.  Check it out here!

You can purchase a copy of last year's edition at amazon, or directly from the project's website (link above).

Let The Countdown Begin!

This month marks the one year countdown to Emma's No Mo Chemo celebration!  I know, I know.  One year seems like an eternity to you all.  Why am I already gearing up for the end?

Let me tell you what!  One year sounds like the blink of an eye...a vapor...completely doable!  We got Emma's "roadmap" for the following year from her doctors in Memphis a few weeks ago.  It felt like a huge milestone.  A year and a half has come and gone, and the last leg of our journey has arrived.

For the next year Emma will get a chemo pill every day.  EVERY DAY!  That really stinks, but we're all okay with it, because after that, we're through.  So let the countdown begin!  We'll see you at the finish line :)

Give A Chemo Duck

One day while we were at our local mall we saw posters for a "Chemo Duck Walk".  We didn't really know what it was, but it got me curious so I checked out the website.  I found such a nifty little program, and so this month I'm going to share it with you!

WHO WE ARE:  Gabe's Chemo Duck Program

WHAT WE DO: Gabe’s My Heart was established to assist family members being treated for childhood cancer. When a child is diagnosed with cancer the whole family suffers, and everyone requires personalized healing. Gabe’s My Heart offers therapeutic play tools and education to assist every member of the family.  A "Chemo Duck" is given to the child, with a port or line (where the kids receive their chemo, blood transfusions, etc.), and other various "cancer" accessories.  These are matched to each individual child, but might include a cast, or a hat, etc.

HOW TO DONATE:  You can host a fundraiser (like the chemo duck walk at our mall), or donate here!

Coping Methods

People tell me all the time how well I cope with Emma's sickness.  I understand their comments, and their well-meaning.  But...I don't really like to be told how "well" I'm doing.  Sometimes I don't feel like I'm doing well at all.  Sometimes I feel like I'm falling apart!

So I decided to figure out why I come off as "coping".  I examined everything I do, and I realized that one thing that helps me work through things the most is (duh) my writing.  I am a writer.  I express myself best in the written word.  I get my negative feelings out, and then I feel better to face the world.

I don't journal, but when I'm feeling particularly strong about something I will write it down.  And then, I'm always writing other things (articles or stories, etc.).  Writing is my coping mechanism!

I think everyone needs a healthy way to cope, because while we don't all have kids with cancer, we do all have stress (especially during the holiday season!).  For some it's crafts, or exercise, or singing, or dance, or reading.  What's your coping mechanism?  If you don't have one, you should find one.  After all, if it works for me, it can work for you, too!

I Am Strong

Here are the beautiful lyrics to a song by Dolly Parton and the Grascals, which was written for the kids at St. Jude, and filmed with them.  Of course, it is dedicated to kids with cancer everywhere!

I am tired and I am weak

Sometimes I ask, "Why me?"

But I have faith and I believe

That I am strong

I have a Mom and I have a Dad

I am happy sometimes sad

And I have hope and I have GOD

And I am strong

I am strong, I am strong,

Take my hand, sing my song, I am strong

I am a child and I have dreams

That I’ll fight for you to see

Know in your heart when you see me

That I am strong

I wear a mask… I have no hair

I may be sick I may be scared

But I know God He answers prayer

And I am strong.

I am strong, I am strong

Take my hand sing my song, I am strong

I am strong, I am strong

Take my hand, sing my song, I am strong

Take my hand, sing my song, I am strong.

Guardian Angels

     I recently read a book called Heaven Is For Real.  It is about a little boy who says he went to Heaven while on the operating table when he was three years old.  It was a thought-provoking story, one that often left me smiling, or crying, or at the very least, hoping. 

Did I believe it 100%?  No, not really.  But who cares?  It was a nice thought.

What does that have to do with anything?  I’ll tell you J

We have often wondered where Emma “was” while she was in a coma for 2 ½ weeks.  I can tell you that when she woke up she had a couple of odd things to say!  Do I think she went to Heaven?  Doubtful.  However, I don’t think she was alone in her sleep.

Now, before you call me kooky and click away, hear me out!

In Matthew 18:10 it says, “ Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones;  for I say unto you, That in heaven their [the children’s] angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”

Children have guardian angels.  When I read this verse sweet relief filled my body, and I smiled. 

Think for a moment how you would feel if your child was in a coma, all alone, on the brink of death for 2 ½ weeks.  I couldn’t stand the thought that she was alone in the recesses of her sub conscience.

But she wasn’t!  She had a guardian angel who was with her, and who was going before God the Father on her behalf.  See why this discovery should make me happy?

So after reading this, I asked Emma if she knew she had a guardian angel.  She looked up from her toys, shrugged, and said, “Yeah.”  Like, duh Mom.

In light of reading the Heaven Is For Real book, I kind of paused.  I said, “How did you know?”

She said, “Because I hear them…

Time out.  She started this sentence, and I’m thinking—she HEARS them?!  But then she finished.

…bowling every time it storms.”

Ha!  I smiled and said, “Oh, that’s right.”

So maybe Emma hasn’t ever ‘met’ her guardian angel, but I believe with all my heart that he is with her.  And that makes me happy.

Anyway, I thought this was a fitting Christmastime subject!  Happy Holidays!

There's A Monkey In My Chair!

Yikes!  Have you ever seen a monkey in your chair?  Emma has one in hers, but he only makes an apperance in her kindergarten class, and only when Emma can't go to school because of chemo and doctor's visits!

This month's charity highlight is a really cool project, and one that brings smiles to young kids with cancer everywhere.

WHO ARE THEY?  www.monkeyinmychair.org  They are a beneficial program dedicated to helping kids with cancer feel connected to their classmates and friends, even when they're away.

HOW THEY STARTED:  There's a Monkey in my Chair was originally started by a little girl named Chloe, and her mother.  Chloe had to spend lots of time away from school for cancer treatment.  From the Our Hero website: Chloe was fun-loving, free spirited girly girl. She loved dancing, singing, everything pink and everything monkeys! Chloe is the inspiration behind the program, There's a Monkey in my Chair, which helps children battling cancer with their absence from the classroom.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Go to their website to donate today.  You can sponsor a "kit" which will be sent to a deserving child.  You will brighten their day!  How cool is that?