September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. A gold ribbon represents the month, so go for the gold and support childhood cancer research! Pediatric cancer has only a fraction of the research going on that adult cancers have. We need to find a cure or a prevention to keep this monster from attacking the kids in the future.
Today at our clinic visit a wonderful little girl made me a gold-bead bracelet to wear throughout September. It is beautiful! I plan to wear it every single day.
So how can you help? Well, I'm glad you asked! Chili's is a huge supporter of St. Judes. They even have a wing of the hospital named after them (the Chili's Care Center). During the month of September you can visit their website to find out lots of ways to help. Create a pepper, eat at any Chili's on September 26th, or you can pass their link on to friends to help gather donations. www.createapepper.com
Of course you can always donate directly to St. Jude. https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation.do?cID=13342&pID=18310&source_code=CMPCHILCP11&plt=CALGENLKCHILI1000002
One other thing to keep in mind; in November we will be participating in our local Give Thanks walk. We will be raising money for St. Jude through this walk, so you can sponsor Emma and all money will go directly to St. Jude. I'll have more info on that in the future.
If you don't have a penny to spare, don't sweat it. You can spread the word about childhood cancer, and don't forget that gold ribbon!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
If it happens to someone you know…
Many people have expressed a desire to know what is right (and not so right) to do when someone they know is diagnosed with cancer. Here are a few pointers that I have come up with.
*Do offer specific assistance. Generic questions like, “Do you need anything?” or “What can I do to help?” are likely to be met with an assurance that everything is fine. Instead, try offering to make dinner on Tuesday, or pick up the kids after school on Friday for a play date.
*Do offer specific assistance. Generic questions like, “Do you need anything?” or “What can I do to help?” are likely to be met with an assurance that everything is fine. Instead, try offering to make dinner on Tuesday, or pick up the kids after school on Friday for a play date.
*Don’t be a downer where the illness is concerned. Statements like, “That’s terrible!” will only bring about depression, and even bitterness, in the parent. They shouldn’t feel the need to pick you up!
*Do offer a shoulder to cry on when your friend needs to vent.
*Don’t talk only about the child’s illness.
*Do make an effort to remember the answers to questions you’ve already asked. Like the pregnant woman who hears the question, “When are you due?” over and over, the parent of a sick child gets frustrated answering the same questions (from the same person) again and again. I don't mean answering "How is she?". I mean questions like, "Is she done with her treatment now?" If you don't care enough to remember that no, it's not for a long long time, then it probably doesn't matter too much, anyway.
*Don’t forget them a year down the road. Many well-meaning friends and family move on with their lives, and expect that their friends with the sick child have as well. Most often, they haven’t yet. Living in limbo is not easy. If you have the time and resources, help is still appreciated.
*Do remember to have patience with your hurting friend.
*Don’t be afraid of saying the wrong thing—instead, speak from your heart. When the elephant in the room is ignored, it is always uncomfortable : )
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
First Time To Give Blood
On Sunday I gave blood for the first time. I know, I know, that is ridiculous! I should have been giving blood well before this weekend. But I have small, rolling veins, and low blood pressure, and this caused issues with IV's both times I was in labor with my children.
Anyway, I've wanted to give for a long time, but things in Memphis are always so hectic, and when we're here at home I've always got the girls with me, so donating then is out. But Sunday I was all alone, and had the time, so I stepped up to the challenge in the LifeSouth bus at WalMart.
It hurt! They had trouble finding a vein (remember the small, rolling veins?), and they had to tie the tourniquet REALLY tight. It took many, many minutes to fill up a bag of blood. My entire arm hurt for the rest of the day.
And as I lay in bed that night thinking about it, it hit me. SHAME ON ME! How dare I complain about being stuck with a needle one time? How dare I complain about a tender arm after the needle stick? How dare I complain about this very minor discomfort?
My 5 year old gets stuck every single week. She rarely complains. She lets people stick things all over her, poke her, pull on her. And she does it every single week! Shame on me.
And then my guilt went further. How dare I complain about a headache? An inconvenience. An annoying person? These things are minor, really.
How fast I forget what really is important in life. How fast I stop being thankful for all of the GOOD things, and focus on the minor bad things.
So I am through complaining about the tiny discomfort of giving blood. It will help someone out; maybe even Emma! And do you know what? I plan to do it again :) I hope that you will join me!
Anyway, I've wanted to give for a long time, but things in Memphis are always so hectic, and when we're here at home I've always got the girls with me, so donating then is out. But Sunday I was all alone, and had the time, so I stepped up to the challenge in the LifeSouth bus at WalMart.
It hurt! They had trouble finding a vein (remember the small, rolling veins?), and they had to tie the tourniquet REALLY tight. It took many, many minutes to fill up a bag of blood. My entire arm hurt for the rest of the day.
And as I lay in bed that night thinking about it, it hit me. SHAME ON ME! How dare I complain about being stuck with a needle one time? How dare I complain about a tender arm after the needle stick? How dare I complain about this very minor discomfort?
My 5 year old gets stuck every single week. She rarely complains. She lets people stick things all over her, poke her, pull on her. And she does it every single week! Shame on me.
And then my guilt went further. How dare I complain about a headache? An inconvenience. An annoying person? These things are minor, really.
How fast I forget what really is important in life. How fast I stop being thankful for all of the GOOD things, and focus on the minor bad things.
So I am through complaining about the tiny discomfort of giving blood. It will help someone out; maybe even Emma! And do you know what? I plan to do it again :) I hope that you will join me!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Walking On The Edge Of Life
The world keeps moving forward, as time stands still for me,
I am the kid with Cancer, locked in battle to be free.
For all us kids on chemo, our lives are put on hold,
As we fight to stay alive, our chances good, we're told.
Our attitude is courage, we live this life each day,
Just waiting for tomorrow, praying cancer goes away.
Walking on the edge of life, we’re never looking down,
United here in front of you, until a cure is found.
©2007 By Lorna Mahan & Sinjin Andrukates
This week we were in Memphis, at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I saw miniature warriors and pint-sized super heros all around. I saw kids who were happy in spite of their circumstances. I saw kids that were screaming because they were scared at what was being done to them. I saw kids throwing up because their treatments were making them sick. I saw kids walking on the edge of life.
Reading this poem and thinking about these magnificent children makes me cry. And then I smile, because I look up at my own superhero. I remember how today she did SO GOOD when she had to have x-rays done, even though she was so nervous she wanted to throw up (and knowing this is a routine occurence, that of having to do things that make her so nervous she wants to throw up). Three cheers for my superhero, and all the others, too!
Source: Child With Cancer, Cancer Poems http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/sad/poetry.asp?poem=18624#ixzz1TLCUmSN1
Family Friend Poems
I am the kid with Cancer, locked in battle to be free.
For all us kids on chemo, our lives are put on hold,
As we fight to stay alive, our chances good, we're told.
Our attitude is courage, we live this life each day,
Just waiting for tomorrow, praying cancer goes away.
Walking on the edge of life, we’re never looking down,
United here in front of you, until a cure is found.
©2007 By Lorna Mahan & Sinjin Andrukates
This week we were in Memphis, at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I saw miniature warriors and pint-sized super heros all around. I saw kids who were happy in spite of their circumstances. I saw kids that were screaming because they were scared at what was being done to them. I saw kids throwing up because their treatments were making them sick. I saw kids walking on the edge of life.
Reading this poem and thinking about these magnificent children makes me cry. And then I smile, because I look up at my own superhero. I remember how today she did SO GOOD when she had to have x-rays done, even though she was so nervous she wanted to throw up (and knowing this is a routine occurence, that of having to do things that make her so nervous she wants to throw up). Three cheers for my superhero, and all the others, too!
Source: Child With Cancer, Cancer Poems http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/sad/poetry.asp?poem=18624#ixzz1TLCUmSN1
Family Friend Poems
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Further Along
This past weekend I learned of another family in my town who's daughter has been diagnosed with cancer. I checked out their CaringBridge website, and read through from the beginning. Reading about their heartbreak, the sickness, the fear, and the extremely difficult beginnings of chemotherapy...well, it brought back a lot of horrific memories. (You hear about war vets who have flashbacks--well, I have them, too. And let me tell you, they aren't much fun).
I can remember sitting in the hospital and seeing families who were obviously much further along in treatment than we were. I can remember thinking, "Oh, why can't that be us? I just want to be done with this!" And now, I see others at the very painful beginning, and I am grateful that it's not us back there. I am glad to be "further along", even though we still have 76 weeks to go!
Don't get me wrong, I still wish we were done. Just this week I screamed in my head, "Okay God. We're done now. Can we have our real life back now?" But still, I am thankful to be "further along".
Please keep the Dison family in your prayers...they desperately need them! You can keep up with their journey here.
I can remember sitting in the hospital and seeing families who were obviously much further along in treatment than we were. I can remember thinking, "Oh, why can't that be us? I just want to be done with this!" And now, I see others at the very painful beginning, and I am grateful that it's not us back there. I am glad to be "further along", even though we still have 76 weeks to go!
Don't get me wrong, I still wish we were done. Just this week I screamed in my head, "Okay God. We're done now. Can we have our real life back now?" But still, I am thankful to be "further along".
Please keep the Dison family in your prayers...they desperately need them! You can keep up with their journey here.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
A Re-Visiting and Charity
Last week I posted about repressing any happy feelings for fear that they would bring on something bad--a jinx if you will. Putting my innermost fears out there for anyone on the world wide web to see really made me realize that it was time to do something about them. I am not a "sweep things under the rug and hope they go away" kind of girl. So, I have made a list of things to work on, in order to give myself permission to be happy again. Will it work? *Katie Shrugs* But it's worth a try! I thought I would share my list, in case anyone else feels like doing some personal improvement along with me : )
1. God hasn't given us the spirit of fear. He tells us this in II Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." God loves us, and has gotten us this far. He will still love us if something else goes wrong, and he will still keep us going in spite of it. He doesn't want us to live in fear--and if the Bible says that God didn't give us this fear, than that means only one person did. I decided that I will NOT give Satan that kind of power over me. I WON 'T live in fear just because the devil whispers in my ear that I better not be happy.
2. It takes a village. My family has not gotten this far alone. We have a wonderful family, and wonderful friends. We also have a wonderful church family. How could we have come this far without them? They have prayed for us time and again (and I mean this very honestly when I say this is the #1 thing I want people to do for us. God can save these children like no chemo treatment ever can). These folks have been with us through our toughest times, and I am sure in the fact that they will be here for us in the future. If you are trying to fight for your life all alone, then you need to seriously re-think your strategy.
3. Trials will come regardless. This is a key point, in my thinking. Do I really think that just because I don't let myself enjoy all the happy things in life that no more bad things will ever happen to my family? That's ridiculous! Bad things will still come--that's just part of life. So I need to enjoy the mountaintops while they're here. And I intend to (at least to try!).
So that's my two cents. I hope it helps someone : )
And now for my charity highlight. In a few weeks we will be traveling to Walt Disney World via the Make A Wish Foundation and Give Kids The World. So, I thought I'd tell you a little about them. The Make A Wish Foundation began in 1980 when a police officer made a young cancer patient's wish come true--he became a police officer for a day. The patient passed away two days later. Today they are the largest wish granting organization in the world!
Who Are They: Make A Wish Foundation
Their Mission Statement: We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
How To Donate: Visit their website here. There are numerous ways to help, including donating money, volunteering, or donating items. You can also adopt a wish, meaning you can sponsor a child's wish. I know of one family who's wish sponsor ran a horse farm. The child's wish was to have a horse of her own, and her wish sponsor simply donated a horse.
We will be going to Walt Disney World. When wish children visit Disney World they stay at Give Kids The World. You can learn more about them here.
Who They Are: Give Kids The World
Their Story:
The story of Give Kids The World begins with a little girl with a wish and the desire of one man to make that wish come true.
The little girl's name was Amy. Amy had leukemia and one wish - to visit the theme parks in Orlando. To facilitate Amy's wish, the request of a complimentary stay was made to a respected hotelier. As he had done many times before, the hotelier gladly obliged and Amy's wish was that much closer to being realized. Sadly, the remainder of Amy's travel plans took too long to arrange and her wish was never granted; Amy had passed away. Time simply ran out.
This unfulfilled wish inspired a man, the hotelier, to make a vow that no child in need would ever be failed again. That man was Henri Landwirth and his desire to ensure that Amy's story would never repeat itself is where the story of Give Kids The World begins.
Their Mission: Give Kids The World is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village for as long as there is a need.
How To Donate: Donations can be made by visiting their website. You can also sign up to volunteer.
1. God hasn't given us the spirit of fear. He tells us this in II Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." God loves us, and has gotten us this far. He will still love us if something else goes wrong, and he will still keep us going in spite of it. He doesn't want us to live in fear--and if the Bible says that God didn't give us this fear, than that means only one person did. I decided that I will NOT give Satan that kind of power over me. I WON 'T live in fear just because the devil whispers in my ear that I better not be happy.
2. It takes a village. My family has not gotten this far alone. We have a wonderful family, and wonderful friends. We also have a wonderful church family. How could we have come this far without them? They have prayed for us time and again (and I mean this very honestly when I say this is the #1 thing I want people to do for us. God can save these children like no chemo treatment ever can). These folks have been with us through our toughest times, and I am sure in the fact that they will be here for us in the future. If you are trying to fight for your life all alone, then you need to seriously re-think your strategy.
3. Trials will come regardless. This is a key point, in my thinking. Do I really think that just because I don't let myself enjoy all the happy things in life that no more bad things will ever happen to my family? That's ridiculous! Bad things will still come--that's just part of life. So I need to enjoy the mountaintops while they're here. And I intend to (at least to try!).
So that's my two cents. I hope it helps someone : )
And now for my charity highlight. In a few weeks we will be traveling to Walt Disney World via the Make A Wish Foundation and Give Kids The World. So, I thought I'd tell you a little about them. The Make A Wish Foundation began in 1980 when a police officer made a young cancer patient's wish come true--he became a police officer for a day. The patient passed away two days later. Today they are the largest wish granting organization in the world!
Who Are They: Make A Wish Foundation
Their Mission Statement: We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
How To Donate: Visit their website here. There are numerous ways to help, including donating money, volunteering, or donating items. You can also adopt a wish, meaning you can sponsor a child's wish. I know of one family who's wish sponsor ran a horse farm. The child's wish was to have a horse of her own, and her wish sponsor simply donated a horse.
We will be going to Walt Disney World. When wish children visit Disney World they stay at Give Kids The World. You can learn more about them here.
Who They Are: Give Kids The World
Their Story:
The story of Give Kids The World begins with a little girl with a wish and the desire of one man to make that wish come true.
The little girl's name was Amy. Amy had leukemia and one wish - to visit the theme parks in Orlando. To facilitate Amy's wish, the request of a complimentary stay was made to a respected hotelier. As he had done many times before, the hotelier gladly obliged and Amy's wish was that much closer to being realized. Sadly, the remainder of Amy's travel plans took too long to arrange and her wish was never granted; Amy had passed away. Time simply ran out.
This unfulfilled wish inspired a man, the hotelier, to make a vow that no child in need would ever be failed again. That man was Henri Landwirth and his desire to ensure that Amy's story would never repeat itself is where the story of Give Kids The World begins.
Their Mission: Give Kids The World is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village for as long as there is a need.
How To Donate: Donations can be made by visiting their website. You can also sign up to volunteer.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Warring Emotions
This morning as we drove to Emma's clinic appointment we were feeling great! It was a bright sunny day, Emma was in a great mood, and Ashlyn had finally seemed to get over her little sickness. I was thinking about two upcoming (free) trips we will be taking. Emma was happily coloring in the back seat.
And then a terrible feeling of dread came over me. I quickly reminded myself to stop being happy. And so I was somber.
Sound strange? It is, I know, but I can't help it. I am terribly afraid of being happy because I just KNOW that as soon as I'm happy the other shoe is going to drop. I have a nagging feeling that I'm not the only one who does this. I think there are lots of cancer moms out there who dread what tomorrow will bring. Beyond that, I would wager there are lots of other people who have been through something traumatic who feel this way, too.
I remember right before Emma was diagnosed. We were blissfully happy. We had a brand new baby; we were spending lots of time together (as opposed to Micheal working all the time); we had just bought a new car. I remember even having a conversation about how happy we were. How perfect things were. Maybe God was giving us an extra dose of happiness because he knew what was coming.
Whatever the reason it made me a bit paranoid, and now when I get that feeling of happiness I am suspicious. I'm not really sure how to fix it, but I guess I should work a little harder on it. What about you? Have you ever felt that way? How did you work it out?
And then a terrible feeling of dread came over me. I quickly reminded myself to stop being happy. And so I was somber.
Sound strange? It is, I know, but I can't help it. I am terribly afraid of being happy because I just KNOW that as soon as I'm happy the other shoe is going to drop. I have a nagging feeling that I'm not the only one who does this. I think there are lots of cancer moms out there who dread what tomorrow will bring. Beyond that, I would wager there are lots of other people who have been through something traumatic who feel this way, too.
I remember right before Emma was diagnosed. We were blissfully happy. We had a brand new baby; we were spending lots of time together (as opposed to Micheal working all the time); we had just bought a new car. I remember even having a conversation about how happy we were. How perfect things were. Maybe God was giving us an extra dose of happiness because he knew what was coming.
What she went to sleep to... 
What she woke up to...(okay, I'm being melodramatic here, but see what I mean?) Wouldn't you be cautious?Whatever the reason it made me a bit paranoid, and now when I get that feeling of happiness I am suspicious. I'm not really sure how to fix it, but I guess I should work a little harder on it. What about you? Have you ever felt that way? How did you work it out?
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