Tag Archives: breast cancer

Choose to Believe

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Tonight, when I was out for my walk (gulp… 18 days until the Bluenose Marathon!)… I was noticing the ever persistant pain that has started in my left hip, choosing to ignore the fact that both my grandmother and my aunt had degenerative hip disorder, one who went through hip replacement surgery, the other who grinned through the pain and just dealt with it. And I told myself what I always tell myself… it’s probably nothing. It’ll pass. It’s just getting into the swing of walking more frequently after winter. Whether that is the case or not, it’s what I choose to believe.

Choosing to believe something gives us an affirmation and an inner strength to face what lies in our path. I choose to believe that this pain will go away. I choose to believe that the little stresses of today will not matter tomorrow. I choose to believe that sadness is temporary. I choose to be optimistic because I believe there’s a silver lining in every dark cloud. I choose to believe the losses I’ve had in my life were to teach me hard lessons and how to let go. I choose to believe in love, because I really do believe it is the strongest and purest emotion we are blessed enough to experience in our life. I choose to devote as much time as I can to my children now, because I believe that all too soon they will have grown up and moved on with their lives, and when my nest is empty and I look back I won’t say “I wish I had more time for myself” but “I wish I had more time with them.” I choose to believe that people are inherently good. I choose to believe that doing some small good really does make a difference in the world. I believe in Karma. This isn’t a choice, this is a belief, and because I believe in Karma, I choose to believe that revenge is a waste of energy because in the end, good or bad, people get what is coming to them.

Because I believe in Karma, and that good people have good things come to them, I choose to believe my friend Wanda is going to win her fight with breast cancer. It will not go any other way, because it simply can’t. I choose to believe that she will come through this stronger than she ever was before. I choose to believe that people who are fortunate enough to be a part of her life will also come through stronger and more appreciative of the gifts they have in their lives. I choose to believe that this year, when the CIBC Run for the Cure comes around, that she will be strong enough to participate in it again with us.

I choose to believe that every life experience we have teaches us a lesson, something new about ourselves, or something new about the people around us. I carefully choose the people around me, and choose to keep those who seem to thrive on negativity at a distance. I choose to focus on the good. I choose to be happy.

Why didn’t I think of that?

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It will come as no surprise to those who know me well that I am constantly, and I mean CONSTANTLY, reading and researching things online. Some of my best inspiration has come from happening across something that has sparked an idea. Sometimes it’s a fleeting spark that sets off an event not even remotely like the news that sparked it to begin with. Other times you happen across an idea that is so perfect in its simplicity that you just have to roll with it… and give full credit to the creator.

Such is the idea of the scarf box. A perfectly simplistic idea with far reaching possibilities. And of course, because my friend Wanda is in the middle of her battle with breast cancer, she is the one I brought the scarf box to, yesterday. Today was her second chemotherapy treatment and I wanted her to know I was, and would be, thinking about her.

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Health Care should be a Right… not for the Privileged

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As I sit here this evening, with my television on CNN, but muted… and working at my second and even third job with music playing in the background, turning around every few minutes to check the latest electoral vote counts, these last months of biting my lip in an attempt to keep political views to myself is just disintegrating. I have tried very hard not to express my opinion, because lets face it, I left the United States. I made the decision to move to Canada, I made the decision to become a permanent resident, and then I made the decision to become a Canadian Citizen. Since leaving in 1997, I have been back to the United States for one visit, and it wasn’t back to my home town. However, I do have plans to go in June… assuming that I still have a place to stay after writing this.

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Day one past is one less to go :)

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Day one is now just a memory… thought of you all day and you KNOW who you are!

Drive

Something about you that I truly admire,
Words from your mouth often inspire.
Glass is half-full, you clearly see,
Your positivity brings joy to me.

You’re a combination of special and rare,
So many talents, with the world you may share.
Just the way you make others feel,
Is so wonderful, it’s simply so real.

Wherever you go, whatever you seek,
I know you will conquer, no matter the peak.
By the look in your eyes, I can sense your drive,
I’m so happy, I know you will thrive.

~Anitapoems.com

Random Musings from Cancer Patients/Survivors

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In my 24 year journey dealing with Cancer, I have had 3 diagnoses, Chemo, Radiation, Surgery, Procedures, more tests with names that the average individual shouldn’t know, radiation again, lost 50#…..twice, lost my teeth, my hair…..twice, quit one job, started a Company, lost BOTH parents to cancer and turned into a Cancer Advocate. During that trip, I have spoke with many people about the everyday cancer subjects that come up when talking with another cancer patient/survivor.

These are some of them:Hero Of Hope

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In Memoriam

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All of Nova Scotia mourns the loss of Raylene Rankin, a woman with an angelic voice who pioneered music in the Maritimes. Raylene lost her long battle with breast cancer on the morning of the CIBC Run for the Cure. Heartfelt condolences are extended to the family and friends of Raylene.


http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/artslife/141924-raylenes-departing-song

 

Dear Wanda,

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Well it’s finally here! In a little over an hour we will be heading over to the CIBC Run for the Cure. I am so happy that I made my fundraising goal and that I am taking part in this with you.  I also know when we walk today you will be surrounded by the people who support you, not just for this walk but for your longer journey ahead fighting breast cancer.

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What I’m doing seems so small

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The countdown is on! By this time, two weeks from now, the CIBC Run for the Cure will be past.  As I mentioned in my previous blog post, the CIBC Run for the Cure is Canada’s largest single day, volunteer-run event dedicated to raising money to fight breast cancer. A group of women began the cause to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. Due to the sensitive nature of this type of cancer, few women and even fewer men would talk about it.

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Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

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The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is a charitable organization that was established in 1986. They raise money to advance research, education, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer, and quality of life for those with breast cancer. A big focus of the CBCF is on regular screenings and early detection. Breast cancer has a high percentage of being treated successfully if caught in the early stages.

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BCANS Pink Spring Fundraiser

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BCANS Poster

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of attending BCANS 9th annual “Pink Spring” Fundraiser for Breast Cancer support. BCANS (Breast Cancer Action Nova Scotia) is an organization which saw its beginnings in 1994. Reading through their history, it’s incredibly impressive what they have been able to accomplish in a relatively short period of time. I’d encourage everyone to read it here.

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