"When Pink Is Just A Color Again" - Kal Hourd, for Breast Cancer Awareness

Remembering those who've lost the fight and those who won't give up the fight. And those who love them.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Day

Did you know that September 13 is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day?

Today's post comes from www.candlelighters.org. Please click on the link at the bottom of the post to read the entire proclamation.


"Senate Passes Allard-Clinton 'National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day' Resolution
May 23, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C.– September 13, 2008 will now be recognized as "National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day" as a result of a Senate resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).

"Never before in history has the dream of eliminating childhood cancer been so attainable, yet seemed so elusive," said Senator Allard. "We live in a nation where the effectiveness of treatments and technology offer hope to children who dream of a bright future. Each case of childhood cancer is a very personal tragedy that can strike any family with children, at anytime, anywhere. In setting aside September 13th to recognize this battle on cancer, we continue of our efforts to draw attention to the victims of childhood cancer and the great work of the families and organizations who continue the fight."

"We have made tremendous strides in the fight against childhood cancer, but far too many children still suffer and lose their lives to this illness. The more we know as a nation the better able we will be to prevent and treat the disease and help those who are battling and surviving pediatric cancers. National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day is an opportunity to reach out to all Americans with the facts about childhood cancer, and this day will be an important symbol of our commitment on all days to find a cure," said Senator Clinton.

Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer and the second overall leading cause of death of children in the United States. More than 10,000 children under the age of 15 in the United States are diagnosed with cancer annually."
http://www.candlelighters.org/Awareness/ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth.aspx

September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month

As the 1950's daughter of a mom who took DES this type cancer holds a special interest to me. "DES (Diethylstilbestrol) is a synthetic form of estrogen that was prescribed between 1938 and 1971 to help women with certain complications of pregnancy. DES has been linked to clear cell adenocarcinoma, an uncommon cancer of the vagina or cervix, in daughters of women who used DES during pregnancy."*
I've been tested somewhat extensively since the 80's and so far nothing has turned up. But it is important for all women to know about their risks, what the signs are and what can help prevent these cancers specific to our gender.

"Gynecologic Cancer is cancer of the female reproductive system, which includes cervical cancer, endometrial/uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer and peritoneal cancer. In the last two decades, considerable gains have been made in the detection and treatment of these cancers. When detected in early stages, most gynecologic cancers have a good cure rate.

What you can do…

See your health care provider for a pelvic exam and Pap smear annually.

Use condoms to reduce the risk of all sexually transmitted diseases.

See your health care provider if you experience any vaginal bleeding between periods or postmenopausal bleeding, vaginal discharge or bleeding after intercourse, unusual abdominal bloating or changes in bladder or bowel function.

Quit smoking.

Maintain a healthy body weight.

Discuss your cancer risk factors and family history with your health care provider."

From http://www.cpmc.org/services/women/health/Gyn-cancers.html

And a couple more suggestions from me:

Watch this short, well-done video to become more informed about the dangers of gynecological cancer.

Share this information with a woman you love.

http://www.cancervideo.tv/video/K72MY6UKO16O/Gynecologic-Cancer

* Parker Waichman Alonso

Mourning Coffee

Thanks to our guest blogger Donna Smythe Teti, for today's moving post.

“The Lord is close to the broken hearted and those crushed in spirit he saves.”
34:19 the New American Bible

Mourning Coffee

“Hi Donna, let’s meet at the park for coffee.” My twin sister Sue called over the phone. “I will pick up some coffee along the way.” Or “Hey Sue, do you want to meet at the bookstore and grab a coffee?” I’d call and ask her after we put our kids on their school buses at opposite ends of the same town.

We spent many a morning with a coffee in hand and some great conversation. We fell over each other’s words as we chatted about our kids, husbands, our faith and how to solve all the world problems. We gave each other piece of mind, comfort and encouragement as we worried about all the things moms worry about.

But suddenly at the age of forty my dear twin sister had a massive stroke. In three days she was gone. With great pain and great faith I let her go.

My faith carried me for a while but as the days passed naturally I missed my sister more and more. I missed our daily conversations and the comfort and insight that she gave me on life. Without her words of wisdom my faith began to waiver. I think faith is easy until one has to really believe in it.

Each morning after the kids went to school I sat in my family room, drank my coffee and “talked” to my sister in Heaven. I told her how much I missed her and how scared I was. “How am I going to get through this grief Suzy?” I shouted out loud one morning to her as I sipped from a steaming hot cup of coffee. It was then I felt a message touch my heart. Jesus is here too. Sue seemed to say.

Wow! In my grief and anger towards God I had forgotten that! So I poured a fresh cup of coffee, sat down in my family room and thought about Jesus. I shut my eyes and tried to picture Him there in my home chatting with me over coffee…just as Sue and I had done so many times. What would I say? What would He say?

I offer to you whose hearts are broken, the poem I wrote about that visit with Jesus.

Warmest Blessings,

Donna Teti

Having Coffee with Jesus

Each morning as I awake
Sadness floods my heart again
So I pour a cup of coffee and pray
My heart will start to mend

On this particular morning
As my grief began to soar
I went to get the paper
And found Jesus at my door

As He entered through the doorway
Sunlight covered every wall
When He smiled and looked me in the eyes
He stirred my very soul

He thought that I could use a friend
Who knew sorrow and knew pain
He saw that I was grieving
And that is why He came

Jesus knew that I was hurting
And feeling life was quite unfair
And He knew I spent each morning
With good coffee and good prayer

Jesus wanted me to know
In that early morning hour
He was there to share with me
His gentle healing power

He felt that it was important for me
To see Him face to face
Sometimes we need to be engulfed
In a strong and warm embrace

As He wrapped His hug around me
His love through me did flow
Then He asked to sit with me awhile
And have a cup of Joe.

As I poured His cup of coffee
I had so much on my mind
Yet He knew what I was thinking
And He answered, she is fine

He told me she is here with me
Each morning while in prayer
She continues to love and care for me
Each day throughout the year

He tried to answer questions
Though the mysteries could not be told
But He asked that I just trust in Him
For someday they would unfold

As we sat and drank our coffee
I stared on in disbelief
That Jesus would actually come to me
And help me through this grief

Jesus said He enjoys these mornings
When I sit with Him and pray
Even though I can not see Him
He too is with me every day

As Jesus drank His coffee
I spoke of sorrow, loss and pain
He did not speak but His Presence there
Was healing just the same

He understood my emotions
As He wiped my tears away
He confirmed with a sympathetic smile
These feelings were OK

I said I feared my broken heart
Would never heal completely
Because the loss I felt inside
Was in my soul so deeply

Jesus agreed the pain would subside
But never quite go away
So He would surround that pain with love
As I met with Him each day

He said that when He walked the Earth
He turned to His Father in prayer
It got Him through each moment
When His life seemed quite unfair

He encouraged me with compassion
To look for joy between the tears
There are many Blessings in my life
That will make for happy years

Jesus eyes lit up as He reminded me
Our lives will go well beyond
As He described the joy in Heaven
When all heartache will be gone

Jesus said that He would carry me
Through this aching and this loss
As His Father in Heaven had done for Him
The day He met His cross

He said this is why it is such a gift
Just talking with Him each day
It enables Him to comfort me
As I sit with Him and pray

When Jesus left my house that morning
I knew His Spirit was still there
So I refilled my cup of coffee
And continued on in prayer

Copyright © 2006 by Donna Teti


Donna Teti has been published in both Guideposts Magazine and Cecil Murphey’s Christmas Miracles. She is also a 2008 winner of the Guideposts Writer's Workshop Contest. Her story Balloons of Hope has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul’s Book of Miracles available in stores September 21, 2010.

http://www.donnateti.com/

Fighting Cance With Humor?

In our family, humor was our first and best defense in any kind of trouble. My mom once tried to light our oven after she'd left the gas on too long. A few minutes later I heard a commotion in the kitchen and the acrid smell of smoke came drifting into the bedroom. Walking into the kitchen I could see mom sitting on the back porch steps.

"Mom", I said, "Something's burning!"

"It's me," she replied, "I just burned off my eyebrows!"

At that point we both started laughing. Of course Mom wasn't badly hurt, just her pride, but I share this story to introduce a link to an article I read last week and wanted to share in this space.

This link is to an article that doesn't have a lot of new information. But if you need a lift for the day, this might be just the article for you.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5015714_fight-cancer-humor.html

With Hope - Steven Curtis Chapman

Today's post is a song of comfort for anyone who has lost a loved one. May Stephen's words bring you comfort and grace and reminding you of the hope of heaven to come.

Music and Lyrics by Steven Curtis Chapman
Speechless, 1999, Sparrow Records
No copyright infringement intended

Based on 1 Thess. 4:13-14 and Heb. 6:9, 10:23


This is not at all how
We thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreamsAnd now you've gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you, but ...

We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
(There's a place by God's grace)
There's a place where we'll see your face again

We'll see your face again
And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God's plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father's smile and say well done
And I imagine youWhere you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
'Cause now you're homeAnd now you're free, and ...

We have this hope as an anchor
'Cause we believe that everything
God promised us is true, so ...

We wait with hope
And we ache with hope
We hold on with hope
We let go with hope

We wait with hope

Support for the tremendous stress of caregivers

"People who are taking care of a family member with lung cancer need support for the entire time that their loved one is terminally ill because they encounter tremendous stress during the dying process, a new study has found."

Read more about this new study by Scott A. Murray, of the University of Edinburgh reported on Yahoo news. Click on the link below:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20100612/hl_hsn/familycaregiversshareexperiencesofdyingpatients