October . . . Be Aware
- posted by: Cheryl
- posted in: Uncategorized, My Life, Contests
- on: October 21, 2008
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there is a lot of Pink events taking place.
A couple of years ago I taught a mini album class at a very special crop put on by Freckle Friends. It was a crop where proceeds went to the Susan Komen Foundation to help find a cure for Breast Cancer. This was the little album I did.
I had a blast with fiskateer friends old and new as well as Suzy Lyons, Candice Carpenter, Stephanie Ackerman and others. It was a special day and a special cause dear to my heart..
I wanted to share the pink album class I taught using all Heidi Grace and Cloud 9 pink products. This album is dear to my heart because it is about a journey that my favorite aunt . . . Aunt Patty has taken. Her cancer is in remission and I’m so grateful. She is one very special lady and I’m just so thankful for her. I especially love the photo of her son (my cousin . . . now with the Atlanta Falcons) who shaved his hair off when his mom was without hair. It’s a precious journey that has made us all stop and be even more grateful for life.
I’d like to encourage you ladies to take some steps to prevent breast cancer and for you male fiskateers . . . for those ladies in your life, encourage them to take steps toward good health and prevention.
Did you know that according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention that aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women.
I’d like to share with one of you a limited edition ‘find a cure’ pair of pink scissors.
I’ll randomly pick a winner but please share briefly how this disease has affected you. Maybe you’d like to give their pair of scissors you know to a survivor? Either way, remember . . . in October . . . be aware . . . and help to find a cure.
Lyn Dwyer says:
October 21st, 2008 at 9:05 amHaving lost both my parents to Cancer I have a special interest in helping others to raise Awareness…and now working alongside Dawn Stan here in Australia who is a Breast Cancer Survivor I have great pleasure in “hosting” the GIRLS NIGHT IN fundraiser on October 30th with all donations going to the CANCER COUNCIL. Once you lose a loved one to this dreadful illness it makes you just want to reach out and help others…..
Joan says:
October 21st, 2008 at 9:20 amI lost my mother to cancer in 1991.My best friend was operated on two years ago for breast cancer.I had a mole taken off 5 years ago and it was malignan melanoma.
Yaritza #3395 says:
October 21st, 2008 at 9:31 amI don’t have any personal experiences with this disease. I just want to show my support to all of those people out there who have suffered. May a cure be in the very near future.
Lorraine says:
October 21st, 2008 at 10:09 amsweet……..I had a friend who was much older then me who died of breast cancer. I missed her a
lot when she died. She died on Halloween that’s why I DO NOT like Halloween. Too many memories.
Kristin in OH #2764 says:
October 21st, 2008 at 10:28 amTwo years ago this month my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. This was totally out of the blue, never had any problems like this before. She simply went for a normal exam, & they found a very small lump. Actually, the one dr. didn’t even want to investigate it further..just wanted to watch it, but another dr. felt it best to biopsy it, just to be on the safe side. We are so thankful for this dr., because on biopsy it was found to be cancerous. She chose to have a left mastectomy & only has to be on hormone therapy now. We thank God for His touch upon her life. If I win, these scissors will be given to her. I can’t see anything with pink ribbons or pink clothing without thinking of my mom & how blessed we are.
Patty 2832 says:
October 21st, 2008 at 10:33 amI’ve had several friends affected by this dreadful disease and many more with different cancers… wishing and hoping for cures to all of them.
Lovely project Cheryl.
doverdi says:
October 21st, 2008 at 10:37 amMy only sister was diagnosed 22 years ago with Breast Cancer at the age of 28. She was fortunate to have caught it early and had a lumpendectomy & radiation. Several years later it came back. She had to have a mastectomy. Now after 22 yrs of being cancer free, she found out in late June that once again she had another lump that was malignant. In Sept of this year she once again underwent a lumpendectomy and this time they used a radioactive dye that was injected into the tumor. Thank God when the biopsy results came back, the cancer was only in the tumor & the glands were cancer free.We are so happy that early detection has once again saved her life. I’d definately give the scissors to her as she is a real survivor & I’m so glad that I have her in my life.
Amanda #1485 says:
October 21st, 2008 at 10:53 amMy grandmother went through a battle with it and is still struggling with it so it’s something that I think about alot. Great looking album.
VickiF says:
October 21st, 2008 at 10:58 amI lost a dear great aunt and a cousin to this disease. I also struggled together with my cousin who needed help caring for her two kids while undergoing chemo and recovering from a masectomy! She is a six year survivor!!! I’d love to give her those scissors…..
Lynn #2244 says:
October 21st, 2008 at 11:00 amMy mother’s dear friend and my wonderful SIL lost their battles with this terrible disease. My heart goes out to everyone!
Michelle 3624 says:
October 21st, 2008 at 11:06 amMy sister started with breast cancer which spread to liver and then from her choice of treatment there was a small chance of getting luekemia and she fought that off for three year and has been in remission for both of them for a few years now. I am so thankful that I have her in my life and cherish her everyday .
My sister in law has had a battle with breast cancer also and we are thankful that they caught it in time and she is in remission also.
Cancer effects so many us in so many different ways.
Linh says:
October 21st, 2008 at 11:35 amLast January, my sister-in-law ‘P’ had a “good” mammogram. In June, her doctor found a lump. Fortunately, it was found early enough that chemo and radiation treatments took care of it. ‘P’ is now cancer free and is pleased that her hair is growing back. A couple of weeks ago, my friends, family and I walked in the Birmingham, AL Race for the Cure. It will be an annual event for us now. Next month, my husband, his sister, and her friends from New Orleans will meet ‘P’ in Dallas for the 3-Day/60 Miles walk. Their team Happy Feat has raised over $14,000! My daughters and I will make cards and send them to the 3-Day Camp Post Office who will deliver them to the team, and we’ll make extras for them to give to fellow participants! They are walking rain or shine, hot or cold!!!!
jen #1831 says:
October 21st, 2008 at 1:36 pmMy amazing aunt was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer 2 years and 9 months ago. She has FOUGHT her fight with the most dignity I’ve ever seen. The cancer is extremely agressive, and now that it’s spread to her liver (in addition to her spine, hip and leg), it’s extremely advanced which breaks my heart. She doesn’t deserve this nasty disease.
I’ve personally made the commitment to keep the fight for her - I just finished walking 60 miles in my third Three Day this September. And I’ll keep walking & volunteering until there’s no longer a need for a cure.
Marla #3291 says:
October 21st, 2008 at 2:14 pmI was at the grocery store today and donated $$$ for the breast cancer cure and the reason being is that a few years ago my mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thank goodness they caught it soon enough and she didnt mess around with it because her mother died of it. She fought it aggressively by having the breast removed. she was lucky not to require chemo and we are thankful to still have her in our lives. I dont know what I would do without her.
Christine C #2264 says:
October 21st, 2008 at 3:20 pmI have had a very close family friend go through the breast cancer journey - thankfully she is in remission and has been for around 5 years now, It is a terrible disease that effects so many people.
Kim Flados says:
October 21st, 2008 at 5:22 pmI’m a 4 year Breast Cancer Survivor! It wasn’t a fun experience to go through but I would’nt trade it for the world. God saw me through it all. I learned just how much my husband, friends, family and church loved me. I try to be a blessing to others that are going through the same ordeal
Vanessa #598 says:
October 21st, 2008 at 5:38 pmThank you for sharing the album and your aunts story!
I have 2 things that I would like to share. First, my grandmother had breast cancer, but I was very young when she had it and has been in remission since. I am thankful that she is still here with us.
I also want to share a story about a patient in the hospital where I work. The patient was diagnosed as having breast cancer but up until her visit, did not seek any kind of treatment. By the time she got to us her left breast was very badly decomposed and I am sure she was in grave pain. I will spare the rest of the gorry details but I really felt for her and the family. If she would have just sought out treatment, I am positive the outcome would have either been different, or less devastating. I think of her and the family often as she lost her life due to it. I think of myself and my mother and mother in law very often. And I think about how much my family would suffer over a loss due to something that could have been caught early just by going to regular visits.
Again, thank you for sharing your story and also thank you for allowing us to share ours!
Lydia says:
October 21st, 2008 at 6:21 pmOh Cheryl what a lovely album..This dreadful disease brings back so many pianful memories. So let me share..I also had an Aunt who was diagnosed with breast cancer she took the treatments but later they found out it spread through out her body and she died within months..My Mother was diagnosed with an different cancer.Her cancer was extremly aggressive and she died within 3 months..and now my sis is battling with cancer.She underwent surgery on her hand had to scrap it down to the bone to get all of it and now she needs to have surgery again. Therapy won’t bring back some reflexes in her hand so she needs to do more surgery to get it back to normal…pooor dear…I would definately give the scissors to her. She’s been thru alot!!
Shannon says:
October 21st, 2008 at 6:35 pmI wish I would have been there for the album you made at Freckle Friends! It’s gorgeous! I like to support the fight against Breast Cancer any time I can… Breast Cancer has affected my life horribly over the past few years. My dear mother-in-law died in May 2007. Her breast cancer probably started in 2005 but she had no idea until last spring when she started having back trouble. She was a mother-in-law I will treasure forever! My dear aunt found out she had it last winter and had a double-mastectomy plus chemo. Two dear friends of mine also had stage IV and have had their breasts removed and the chemo. It is such a terrible disease! I wish for everyone to take those steps to prevent it!
debby 2852 says:
October 21st, 2008 at 6:50 pmYour book is precious to say the least.
One aunt was dignose with stage 4 breast cancer. Long journey, but she is a survivor.
Another aunt, her sister, was not dignosed until days before her death. She is precious in our sight.
Julie Overby says:
October 21st, 2008 at 7:14 pmBeautiful album Cheryl! I actually haven’t known anyone who has suffered from breast cancer except for the online friends that I’ve been hearing about this month. I love that there is a lot more ‘awareness’ being brought about though.
Mardi says:
October 21st, 2008 at 9:06 pmI gave my pair to my Aunt Brenda who has been battling breast cancer for a couple of years. Her husband was diagnosed with lung cancer and he only had a small spot on his lung and they caught it early enough and he is cancer free. Then last year their 25 year old son was diagnosed with kidney cancer, he is having a rough time with chemo and radiation. My heart aches for this family! How much more can they handle?
Your book is beautiful. I bet there isn’t one Fiskateer that has not been affected by cancer one way or another. Why can’t they find cures?
Patti Smith says:
October 21st, 2008 at 9:07 pmLovely book Cheryl…My mother is a two time breast cancer survivor..Her first surgery was in 1973 (the year I got married and was 18 yrs old.) Then 10 yrs later she had her second breast removed as you can imagine I never ever thought she would be okay but I’m so happy to say that she is 79 yrs old and is doing wonderfully..I really think she is a walking miracle….I thank God everyday for this but cancer did take my dad 8 yrs ago….
Peggy #4129 says:
October 21st, 2008 at 9:20 pmI can honestly say that Cancer is a Monster! I lost my mother when I was 12 to cancer. You can never get back what you never had…..so those of you that still share your days with your mother treat her special…..Once shes gone there is no more saying I love you to her, or getting your favorite receipe from her, or telling her stories or saring special moments with her. LOVE her every minute. Thanks for sharing and caring
Blessings
Kimberley #2626 says:
October 21st, 2008 at 10:26 pmMy mother, Cathy, is 65 and a breast cancer survivor of 11 years now. I am SO thankful to still have her in my life. If I win these scissors, they’ll go to her, of course!
Karen #3441 says:
October 21st, 2008 at 10:30 pmI currently have 2 sister in laws fighteing cancer. I’m constantly praying that they do well!
Carole #5183 says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 1:03 amMy mother was first diagnosed in 1992 with cancer in her left breast. After a mastectomy and hormone treatment she was told by her Dr. that she should be okay. Unfortunatley, less than 2 years later a routine gall bladder operation found the cancer had spread to her liver. Further tests showed secondaries in her lungs and bones. Mum mansged her fight for another year, but died in November 1995 at the age of 56. I cant be with you for the girls night in (WA being 3hrs behind the eastern states, my kids will just be getting home from school) but my thoughts will be with you all.
Aspromised says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:13 amMy DH cousin was stricken with this horrible disease. She had a particularly agressive strain and lost her battle in 18 months leaving behind 2 beautiful little girls. The worst part is her type of cancer is hereiditary so her biggest worry was how her daughters would be affected - I pray that they won’t be
Kathie #5209 says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:32 amWhile I have gratefully never had breast cancer, it has affected my life numerous times. My grandmother was a survivor. She had a double radical mastectomy. I have had 5 friends with breast cancer. Two are survivors, two are still in the fight, and one lost the battle 6 years ago. She loved iris’s, her favorites were purple. We handed out iris bulbs wrapped in toule at her memorial. I will never again see a purple iris, or any iris for that matter and not think of her.
kimberlee #2494 says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:38 amMy aunt was taken after many years fighting. I was in college when my mom went out to be with her for her last couple months. My mom was split between her family and her sister. I didn’t understand her choice at the time, but I was aware of the pain she was experiencing.
Sarah says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:38 amI went thought cancer with my mother as a small child it was really hard It wasnt breast cancer but just as bad She survivied it but is going though bad times again With being older now I can help her more than before. I just pray alot and let her no god is on our side .She loves the cards I make all the time .The reason I started makeing card is because they make people smile.And thats all i want is to make her smile
Michelle says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:48 pmThis album is beautiful!!
I have an aunt and several friends fighting this battle. Unfortunately, this is a disease that touches everyone…we all need a reminder to take preventative action and get your mammograms!!
Theresa #4825 says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:16 pmI too am a survivor.Had a mastectomy in 1995 and 8 months of chemo and am still enjoying being alive!!Thank God!!Still praying for a cure,God bless you all.Theresa.
Theresa #4825 says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:24 pmP.S. I am 81 years young!!
Pinky #3405 says:
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:47 amWhat a great album great job!
Kathleen says:
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:06 pmWhat a beautiful Album!! I am a firm believer in Mammograms and have mine scheduled for Oct 29th. I believe in prevention and encourage all my women friends and family to get theirs done routinely as well.
LISA SIMPSON says:
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:11 pmI am so sorry for all the women who have had this awful disease,but I was wondering if there was a day for CANCER.I lost my baby brother to cancer,he passed holding my hand,my uncle,and several of my cousins have had mastectomies.I wish they could stamp out CANCER,there is nothing worse than watching someone you love go though chemo,and all the treatments they try.I STAND UP AGAINST CANCER.
Veronica Noechel says:
October 24th, 2008 at 3:12 amMy best friend in the whole world has already survived breast cancer before the age of 35. She recently lost her aunt to the disease and we both live with the fear that the cancer will return.
One of my other closest friends has had a lump removed which, luckily, turned out to be benign, but was quite the scare nonetheless.
I had a biopsy a few years ago and got to live in constant fear of cancer for a month while awaiting the results (I later learned there was no reason I should have had to wait so long. I no longer go to that doctor.)
It’s a frightening illness, and it is very pervasive throughout our society. Don’t forget that it’s not just women who get it. Men should be aware that they need to see their doctor if they notice any changes in the pectoral region, too.
Reading all these stories is at once heartbreaking and a catalog of amazing strength. Wow.
Tami B. says:
October 24th, 2008 at 10:41 amI think breast cancer has affected everyone in some way. My grandma is a survivor. I have two friends who have survived and one who did not. I’m a regular for my mammos and a melanoma survivor.
sandyh50 says:
October 24th, 2008 at 8:15 pmMy sister is a breast cancer survivor so I am thankful for the publicity to encourage breast cancer awareness and prevention. I would love the pink scissors.
kateB says:
October 25th, 2008 at 2:25 amMy family has been dealing with my dad’scancer this year and last year but not breast cancer-either way, cancer is painful all around. I have to get mammograms every six months so I do it at Christmas and my birthday (Dec & July)… easy to remember as a gift to yourself if you schedule it like that!
Janice Hartmann #2134 says:
October 26th, 2008 at 6:28 pmOne of my closest friends from college (35 years now) is in chemo right now for her breast cancer (2nd time). Her last toxic treatment (as she calls it) is Oct 30. While she is dreading the side effects, she is celebrating the end of the poison being pumped into her.
She’s a real trooper and I send her home-made get well and encouragement cards.
Jessica says:
October 27th, 2008 at 11:18 amI am a cancer survivor of over 12 years! While it was not Breast cancer, I don’t know what that particular type is concerned. But it was still cancer. Raising money and stimulating awareness is a great thing! There are a great many people everyday, who hear that awful word! We need to expunge it….Forever!!! So lets raise money and yell loudly so people will hear us, and give. Even if they give to just shut us up! Either way is fine with me!
RitaS says:
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:07 amYeah for Patty - survivor!! The album is beautiful Cheryl. I plan to make a mini album for my BFF who is also a survivor. It is likely her daughter will also get this disease. I “interviewed” my friend and will use the journaling in the album, which will be a gift to her daughter and encouragement should she ever need it someday. Cancer changed my friend’s life - she sold everything to become a missionary in Africa. We have since joined her in supporting McKallie’s Home, a newer orphanage organization in Malawi. I would definitely give the scissors to my BF - she is such an inspiration! Maybe they would look good adorning the cover of the album…