My Aunt left me this amazing comment in my Running for Life post that I had to delete because she had a few personal details that I'd rather not have on my blog. Her words were so beautiful that I had to repost them (an edited version).
Showing posts with label BCA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BCA. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Breast Awareness
Last week my aunt had her lumpectomy. Thing 1 and Thing 2 wanted to know why Auntie couldn't come over. I told them that she was in the hospital having a lump removed from her breast. They made the appropriate sounds, serious "ohs" and "mm hmms", as I did my best to give the 4 year old version of breast cancer. Just when I was starting to think that I had such intelligent and sensitive little boys and that I had done a wonderful job explaining the situation, Thing 1 asked me "Where is her breast?" I pointed to mine and said "Right here" (surprised that all this time they didn't really know what I had been talking about) Thing 2 said "You mean her boobs?!"
"Yes." I said, and they both screamed "Eeeew!"
Later that day they decided to tell their sister all about it. I'm not sure exactly what was said but I heard bits and pieces about her tummy getting bigger and bigger. Finally, Girl Thing said " Mom, what are the twins talking about?!" Original Thing tried to clarify by saying " She had something in her that was making her sick and the doctor had to take it out." Girl Thing asked where and I said "In her breast". She gasped "You mean where she makes milk for her babies?!?!"
At least she knows what they're called and more importantly, what they are for.
"Yes." I said, and they both screamed "Eeeew!"
Later that day they decided to tell their sister all about it. I'm not sure exactly what was said but I heard bits and pieces about her tummy getting bigger and bigger. Finally, Girl Thing said " Mom, what are the twins talking about?!" Original Thing tried to clarify by saying " She had something in her that was making her sick and the doctor had to take it out." Girl Thing asked where and I said "In her breast". She gasped "You mean where she makes milk for her babies?!?!"
At least she knows what they're called and more importantly, what they are for.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Running for Life
And someday if they tell you about it
If the darkness knocks on your door
Remember her remember me
We will be running as we have before
Running for answers
Running for more
- Melissa Etheridge
I have always been a supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness. I wear a really cool BCA blinkie in my email's signature line that looks something like this,
I have some really comfy pink ribbon shoes that I wear to births.
I've purchased pink measuring cups & spoons as well as a "Pink Plaid" cookbook so I can Cook for the Cure.
Last year I put together a team for my local Birth Network to walk/run in the Komen Race for the Cure.
Over the years I have known friends and other families whose lives have been affected by this disease. This year it hits much closer to home.
A few weeks ago I found out that my aunt, who is more like my sister, has breast cancer. None of my advocating for awareness, having pink ribbons painted on my toenails, drinking out of pink ribbon water bottles, wearing pink ribbon jewelry, not even eating the pink M&Ms prepared me for how it felt to get that news.
I can't think of the right word to describe the feeling. The best I can come up with is "heavy". It's a lot more intense than when my friend had breast cancer. It's even more intense than when a good friend of the family's mother died from it. It feels a lot more personal.
When my aunt told me I immediately started thinking, "Oh my goodness, I need to take care of her!" My favorite way to take care of people, other than supporting them in labor, is feeding them. I started thinking up all these healthy menus, full of cancer fighting foods. I even promised to be her personal chef. The only problem is that she lives almost an hour away and as Hubby gently pointed out, I'm barely cooking meals for my family of 6 (It's just too dang hot!).
I'm still trying to figure out how I can get her to eat better. She has always eaten like crap (and still manages to be super skinny, I think I hate her) and she is preparing to take the bar by studying every waking hour(she graduated from law school a couple of months ago) which doesn't leave much time for meal preparation or eating.
My other reaction to this news feels a bit selfish. I can't help but think that now that there's breast cancer in the family my mother and I are in the "higher risk" category. I'm going to have to pay closer attention to taking care of myself (and getting my mother to take better care of herself).
My aunt has a big fight ahead of her and I'm going to do my best to support her. I am also going to continue supporting companies and organizations that are committed to fighting this disease.
Our Birth Network has a team again for this year's race. Last year we had 24 members. This year I hope to have at least 50. We've also set a goal of raising at least $1500.
There's been a lot of talk in blogland about doing the Couch to 5K program. I started a couple of weeks ago to get ready for this year's race. Find out if your area has a race coming up and sign up. This is an excellent way to get yourself moving and help out a great cause. I hope lots of you sign up for the race, donate some $$$, or click on some of the links I've posted so you can purchase something that gives back to the cause.
If the darkness knocks on your door
Remember her remember me
We will be running as we have before
Running for answers
Running for more
- Melissa Etheridge
I have always been a supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness. I wear a really cool BCA blinkie in my email's signature line that looks something like this,
I have some really comfy pink ribbon shoes that I wear to births.
I've purchased pink measuring cups & spoons as well as a "Pink Plaid" cookbook so I can Cook for the Cure.
Last year I put together a team for my local Birth Network to walk/run in the Komen Race for the Cure.
Over the years I have known friends and other families whose lives have been affected by this disease. This year it hits much closer to home.
A few weeks ago I found out that my aunt, who is more like my sister, has breast cancer. None of my advocating for awareness, having pink ribbons painted on my toenails, drinking out of pink ribbon water bottles, wearing pink ribbon jewelry, not even eating the pink M&Ms prepared me for how it felt to get that news.
I can't think of the right word to describe the feeling. The best I can come up with is "heavy". It's a lot more intense than when my friend had breast cancer. It's even more intense than when a good friend of the family's mother died from it. It feels a lot more personal.
When my aunt told me I immediately started thinking, "Oh my goodness, I need to take care of her!" My favorite way to take care of people, other than supporting them in labor, is feeding them. I started thinking up all these healthy menus, full of cancer fighting foods. I even promised to be her personal chef. The only problem is that she lives almost an hour away and as Hubby gently pointed out, I'm barely cooking meals for my family of 6 (It's just too dang hot!).
I'm still trying to figure out how I can get her to eat better. She has always eaten like crap (and still manages to be super skinny, I think I hate her) and she is preparing to take the bar by studying every waking hour(she graduated from law school a couple of months ago) which doesn't leave much time for meal preparation or eating.
My other reaction to this news feels a bit selfish. I can't help but think that now that there's breast cancer in the family my mother and I are in the "higher risk" category. I'm going to have to pay closer attention to taking care of myself (and getting my mother to take better care of herself).
My aunt has a big fight ahead of her and I'm going to do my best to support her. I am also going to continue supporting companies and organizations that are committed to fighting this disease.
Our Birth Network has a team again for this year's race. Last year we had 24 members. This year I hope to have at least 50. We've also set a goal of raising at least $1500.
There's been a lot of talk in blogland about doing the Couch to 5K program. I started a couple of weeks ago to get ready for this year's race. Find out if your area has a race coming up and sign up. This is an excellent way to get yourself moving and help out a great cause. I hope lots of you sign up for the race, donate some $$$, or click on some of the links I've posted so you can purchase something that gives back to the cause.
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I think it's time to make sure my wonderful, generous, and so full of love niece/sistah knows how much I appreciate and love her. Doulala, as I'm sure everyone who knows her is aware, is an unbelievable support system. Most times, before you even know you "need" she is there offering to help. We have a special relationship - always have. Even though I told her she looked like a monkey when she was little! From diagnosis to today, Doulala (and all her "things") have taken care of me and allowed me to basically take over their home (her poor husband!). As only "Aunties" can do - I had those "things" in boot camp! Hey I was bored and on drugs. At times they asked me, "when are you going home?" But, with love...it was all with love! Doulala...thank you for ALWAYS being strong for me when I wasn't able to be strong for myself. I love you ding dong...