You Are My Sunshine~

Have you ever had a day when nothing has gone right?  Lately there have been so many of our 3-Day family & friends that are going through a tough time.  We have had prayer chains popping up all over and in response, we have sent out cards & pictures to help bring about a smile.  Today Tyler our 3 year old was sent home from pre-school early because he had a 102 temp.  While we were snuggling on the couch I was singing "our" song to him.  When I was done he said he wanted me to tape him.  Not knowing what was about to happen I obliged his request.  We hope that maybe this little video will bring about a smile & lift a spirit as you go through the difficult times.  

XoXo

Tyler~A Song to Chase Away Your Blues...

Severing Ties~

I had another blog entry planned for tonight, but for obvious reasons I have to weigh in on this difficult issue.  I know that before I even start this blog that I am opening up a can o' worms.  Everyone has their own opinions on this topic and this is just my view and opinion.  I hope that even if you don't agree you will still be respectful as I would be of your opinion.  First I want to say that wen you are getting ready to voice your opinion the best thing you can do is read up on the topic and become knowledgeable of the topic of what you are about to speak on.  I have read the article, that I have called... The Parting of ways...  I hope that you will take a moment to read it as well.  In the beginning people were so upset that Susan G. Komen partnered up with Planned Parenthood.  Now people are out raged that they have severed this relationship.  Last year I, as many of you sturggled to fundraise.  I kept hearing that  The American Cathloic 2009, this is their post today American Cathloic 2012 .

I respect the fact that you are trying to protect your family.  I understand that I do, but you have to respect the decision that made here you

She's opened her heart here, and anytime you do that it's the right choice.  and  you know what, even if your not comfortable with it we are going to give money to who ever we want. and you are going to have to be ok with it

We need to come together as a united fighting force and move forward.
Like in any relationship sometimes we need to agree to disagree, but is this the one thing in that relationship that will cause it to break.  Is this the one thing that will strain the relationship to the point of breaking?  That is a personal question that we each must answer.  No one should make the decision but you.  Make an informed decision.  Search your heart, look at your personal beliefs and make a decision one way or the other as to wanting to participate or donate.  The choice is yours to make but make it because you have done your homework, not because you have listened to others opinions.  

Seriously?~

When I first read about this I was beyond stunned!  Seriously?!?  Is this even Legal?  Today, I urge you to see RED & Sign this Petition.  It is hard enough to digest being told that you have breast cancer.  To wrap your head around the words that have just come out of the mouth of your Doctor, but then to have to worry if your insurance is going to drop you because of it...  

Unconscionable!  

Why would anyone continue to pay for health insurance if when you need it most, you are going to be left out in the cold!  Thanks to "The Breast Cancer Site" for bringing this travesty to light.  I am bringing it to you in the hopes that you will click on the link that I have provided, voice your opinion & pass it on!  We need to form one collective voice & let these big insurance companies know that it is unacceptable to adopt this kind of shady, underhanded practices!  Together we can bring about a change!  Please take a moment to sign & pass this along.  You never know when this could effect you or someone you love!  

Let's squash this before it does...  

Insurance Cancellation

XoXo

A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.
Mahatma Gandhi

Celebrate Love~

Today as people all over celebrate Valentine's Day with Roses, Candy & Cards, giving gifts to those that they love.  I decided to give a gift to those that I have never met.  Today I signed up to give blood.  It may not seem like much, but if you are ever in the position where you need it, all of a sudden. It becomes an invaluable gift.  I know that I am only one, but I urge you to join me if you can.  Give the gift that can save a life & if you can't give blood for some reason, donate your time.  The American Red Cross is always looking for volunteers to help with local Blood drives.  Together we can make a difference and save lives.  Today as you celebrate your love for those you love, think about saving someone else's love...

Here is the link to the American Red Cross, if you are interested... 

Happy Valentine's Day to each and every one of you. 

 XoXo

If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love.

Maya Angelou

Just One Reason~

I know that I have written about Bridget before.  She has a wonderful blog that is called "My Big Girl Pants".  From the day that I met her, and her husband, I have been in awe of her wisdom that seems beyond her years.  I can only guess that when you are diagnosed with breast cancer at 21, you learn to grow up quickly.  She has an amazing, never give up spirit.  This past fall Bridget was fighting for her life, & even in the midst of that battle...She still had the presence and grace about her to "tell it like it was".  She didn't sugar coat anything.  I know reading her blog my heart was breaking, but I still continued to pray for a miracle.  Bridget is still fighting her battle, one day at a time.  She reminds me that every battle has it's struggles, times when it would be so much easier just to stop.   

Stop Fighting, Stop Believing, Stop Trying...  One thing that never stops... Cancer... 

With that being said, I stand with Bridget and all of my other Pink Family Members...

We will continue to Fight, till we have eradicated the true enemy...

CANCER!

Below, is Bridget's latest blog entry, and a link to her blog... 

~My Big Girl Pants~

XoXo

I Stand with Susan G. Komen

Many of my friends, family, and blog readers have approached me over this past week because anyone who knows me knows I am in love with the work of Susan G. Komen for the Cure; I am a walker, a survivor, and a 3-Day Coach. Last week, when the news broke that Komen for the Cure decided to cease future funding of Planned Parenthood, thousands of women and men hit the internet to object. I will not revisit last week’s media firestorm. Plenty of people have already done more than enough recapping of every twist and turn.

Instead, I will share the reasons why I continue to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure. I will include links to absolutely everything I mention, so that anyone interested in learning more can learn more, and can do so by going directly to the source.

Deb

When I was first diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in 2005, I went to events put on by various other breast cancer organizations. At those events, I was surrounded by women with gray hair and grandchildren. I came home in tears, and felt so much older than 21 years old. Other organizations left me, a young cancer survivor, feeling so very much alone.

Deb, a 30-something breast cancer survivor, changed all that for me. It wasn’t until Deb, a spunky little gal with flowing brunette hair, a sweet Southern drawl, and two little boys, stopped by my chemo chair one day that I finally realized I wasn’t alone at all. You see, Deb stopped by chemo to drop off literature about her support group called Breast Friends, a support group funded in part by Susan G. Komen’s Maryland Affiliate. Breast Friends was a support group for women under 40 who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time, I didn’t even know there were other women under 40 with breast cancer, and this same wonderful Deb didn’t just offer support. She also offered education. Deb was the first to say, “Bridget, you should tell your story. You should go to schools and tell your story. You could save some lives.” So, you see, Komen gave me support and Komen gave me a voice.

Ann

Komen’s impact on my journey didn’t stop there. In the past six years, I have seen 10 different doctors about this cancer, and, while every doctor saw my concerns about having babies and getting married as understandable concerns for someone in her 20s, no doctor actually took those concerns to heart. No doctor, that is, until Dr. Ann Partridge at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Partridge, or “The Boss” as she is known around my house, never told me to “worry about that later.” Instead, she helped me take action to preserve my fertility. She offered to plan my chemotherapy around my wedding and honeymoon. She offered me a chemotherapy drug that wouldn’t cause hair loss, so that I’d look my best when I walked down the aisle. She even offered to answer any questions my soon-to-be husband might have about my cancer before the Big Day. Now that’s a doctor! Dr. Partridge is the kind of doctor who thinks about the well being of the patient and the well being of the caregiver.

I am proud to say that Dr. Ann Partridge’s Young Women’s Program was funded by a three-year $1.35 million Susan G. Komen for the Cure grant. Not only that, but in addition to providing this program to lucky Dana Farber patients, this Komen grant allows “The Boss” to implement her Young Women’s Program in hospitals across the country, so that every young woman can get the same stellar, personalized care I’ve received regardless of where she happens to live.

 

So, as you see, I was supported by Komen, I was empowered by Komen, and I was cared for by Komen. But, have I been cured by Komen?

The Cure

I can honestly say: I wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for the research of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

I have been on 15 different drugs during my six year battle, and every single one has been touched by a Komen for the Cure grant, including Herceptin.Herceptin is a drug that targets my particular type of breast cancer and, in clinical trials, Herceptin has been found to reduce the risk of relapse by almost 50%. Herceptin has been the one constant in my dozens of “chemo cocktails.” Herceptin is in my current cocktail; it’s being used in combination with my friend Taxol. Herceptin is not a cure, but Herceptin is keeping me alive, and Komen gave me Herceptin.

But that’s the past. What about the future? Well, I can tell you that currently, Komen is funding 572 research projects totaling more than $300 million worldwide. In 2009, “The Boss” referred me to a clinical trial led by Dr.Leisha Emens at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Emens is developing a vaccine that teaches a patient’s immune system to fight her breast cancer on its own, and the trial is having some fantastic results. While I was unable to get the vaccine because my cancer began progressing unexpectedly, I believe this vaccine idea could truly be the future of breast cancer care. Dr.Emens’ trial was funded in 2006 by a $300,000 Komen grant. To learn more about the other exciting clinical research that Susan G. Komen funded last year alone, click here.

I Will Walk

Last Wednesday, when this news first started breaking in the media, I was at the hospital getting chemotherapy. I thought that was pretty ironic…my afternoon was about to get even more ironic! That afternoon in the hospital actually helped me deal with the onslaught of unsettling news stories. Last Wednesday, during a routine blood draw, I found out that the tumor markers in my blood had increased from 75 to 99, a preliminary sign that my chemotherapy regimen might no longer be working. When the whole world began debating and questioning Susan G. Komen’s work, my cancer turned out to be a gift. I needed a reminder, and this news was a poignant reminder. I was able to see that, for me personally, the news about Susan G. Komen mattered, but it didn’t matter enough to sway me from the heart of why I walk.

So what did I do after I learned that my tumor markers rose from 75 to 99 last week? How did I cope with the news? I registered to walk in the 2012 Susan G. Komen Washington, DC 3-Day.

I walk because I have to go to chemotherapy every week, and I don’t want anyone else to have to live that life. I walk because I live with the heavy burdens of fear and doubt every day, like the fear and doubt piercing my heart tonight as I think of my rising tumor markers. I walk because I know that over the past 6 years I have been on 15 different drugs, and all 15 of them were touched by a Susan G. Komen grant. I walk because, while there are other charities out there, no one comes close to funding research the same way Komen does.  I walk because this cause is too important to walk away. I walk because today someone is going to die from breast cancer, and I walk because I don’t want to die from breast cancer.

  

No other organization has had my back like Komen for the Cure, and now it’s time for me to return the favor. Together, we will move past this. I believe we have already started moving, and I believe we are moving forward. I believe we will come out of this better, wiser, and stronger than before.

I hope each of you will be walking beside me this October, but I understand if that’s not the case, and I respect and support that. I wish all of you all the best. You are important to me, and I thank you for your service to this event and to the fight for a better world.