We interrupt the regularly scheduled "Cancer week" of Motivation March for an important message from our Month.
Today is a day that is all about "Spreading the Word to end the R-word"
https://www.facebook.com/EndtheWord
Since I found out about this day a couple of years ago I have taken part in it! Since I was young I hated the word and this misuse of it. If you are unaware of what the word is it. It's a medical word to describe people with a mental disability or as I've recently heard them called. People with a differability. I love the term Differability!
The word is... "Retarded" it's become a slur by many of my generation and the generation under us.
It's an almost every day insult to call someone that does something "stupid" a retard... and that has GOT to stop.
I had a conversation with a dear friend of mine a few years ago. He said something was retarded and I called him out on it. I desperately hate that word and I try to tell people to stop saying it, at least around me. So I told him that and he asked me to explain. And this is what I told him.
"That word has become an insult. It was meant as a medical term but has become a derogatory term no different than the words used to describe different nationalities. It's NOT a term of endearment. We don't say things like "you cute, sweet little retard you" It's used in a very insulting way, used to sting and hurt the other person. Why spread hurt, when we can spread positivity."
I stand by what I said that day.
Why am I so passionate about this?
As someone with a mental "differability" I can be classified as slightly "retarded" My mother was a special Education teacher for a majority of my young life, and my father worked with special needs adults! This crowd of people have a special place in my heart! It's time to build them up and not tear them down! Join me and sign the pledge found here: http://www.r-word.org/
One more story of how hurtful that word is. I once heard someone call a cancer patient a "retard" and then they walked away but not before this person with cancer called out and said "I'm not retarded! I'm DYING!" Perhaps that will put it in perspective of how truly hurtful that word is.
Disclaimer: I only used the word in this blog post to show the perspective. I assure you that it pained me to type it every time that I did. You will not catch me saying that word unless I'm putting it in perspective advising people to stop.
Have a great day!
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Motivation March: Childhood Cancers
As callings in life go... I'm a youth minister. But what many don't know about me is that from a very young age I had a nurturing personality. I loved children even when I was one. One of my earliest memories is of holding my little nephew Jarrod in my arms, looking down, so proud that this little baby was MY NEPHEW. As I got older I only got more nurturing. Then when my dad was sick with Leukemia and my mother had a broken arm (he was diagnosed in feb 2001, she broke her arm in may 2001) I was the only person that lived in the home that could take care of them. In college I was known as Mama Nea or Mama Squires by a very large number of friends, and then once I graduated I gained others who now call me Mama.
I love children. I help my best friend with her two kids, and helping children has been something that's always been important to me. Working with kids and teens is one of the best parts of my life. So because of this...
My heart breaks in half when I hear of a child who has cancer. Most of the children with Cancer that I've met or know of are the bravest little warriors that I've ever met. They are strong, they are forces to be reckoned with and some of the most positive people in existence. But they have days where they are weary, when they need those around them to help give them their strength back.
Childhood cancers are scary, heartbreaking, and just almost impossible to imagine.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/childhoodcancers
Some my favorite movies are: November Christmas, The Heart Of Christmas, Letters to God, and Miracle of the Cards. All of these movies are about Children with Cancer. Watch them...but make sure you have tissues on hand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iwOFpgNELE
That being said support St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital. They do AMAZING work. Support these Children.
http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f87d4c2a71fca210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD
I love children. I help my best friend with her two kids, and helping children has been something that's always been important to me. Working with kids and teens is one of the best parts of my life. So because of this...
My heart breaks in half when I hear of a child who has cancer. Most of the children with Cancer that I've met or know of are the bravest little warriors that I've ever met. They are strong, they are forces to be reckoned with and some of the most positive people in existence. But they have days where they are weary, when they need those around them to help give them their strength back.
Childhood cancers are scary, heartbreaking, and just almost impossible to imagine.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/childhoodcancers
Some my favorite movies are: November Christmas, The Heart Of Christmas, Letters to God, and Miracle of the Cards. All of these movies are about Children with Cancer. Watch them...but make sure you have tissues on hand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iwOFpgNELE
That being said support St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital. They do AMAZING work. Support these Children.
http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f87d4c2a71fca210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD
Monday, March 04, 2013
Motivation March: Lung Cancer
Today's cancer I want to blog about is Lung Cancer.
I know some people who have had Lung Cancer but it was more a "friend of a friend" kind of thing... Still Lung Cancer is scary and I wanted to dedicate a blog post to it.
Since I have no personal stories, this will be a short post, just sharing some info on Lung Cancer but if you know anyone or have any stories you want to share feel free to comment!
http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/default.htm
http://www.lungcancer.org/
Hope these pages help with info.
I know some people who have had Lung Cancer but it was more a "friend of a friend" kind of thing... Still Lung Cancer is scary and I wanted to dedicate a blog post to it.
Since I have no personal stories, this will be a short post, just sharing some info on Lung Cancer but if you know anyone or have any stories you want to share feel free to comment!
http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/default.htm
http://www.lungcancer.org/
Hope these pages help with info.
Sunday, March 03, 2013
Motivation March: Leukemia
Today's Motivation March: Cancer Week is all about Leukemia.
This certain cancer is one that is very close to my heart. So today's story is my fathers.
I was somewhat Freshly 15 in February 2001. (My birthday is in December.) I don't know much about when my dad was diagnosed except for he went to the doctor and they ran tests and that's how he and my mother found out. A couple of days later my dad asked us to get in the car and go for one of his nature drives. I remember we'd stopped by the post office then as my father started driving again that's when he told me he had Leukemia. I knew what it was, I'd heard of it before but I still asked him to explain.
As a 15 year old I wasn't really all that naive. What little naivety I had left disappeared when my father told me he had cancer. The next 7 months were both slow and fast... My father was in and out of the hospital, he was in a fair share of diabetic comas and we had been afraid we were about to lose him more than once. I went from a carefree, fun loving girl to one that took care of her dying father and injured mother. My mother broke her arm in May of 2001 and it was up to me to take care of my parents.
From May 2001 on I did so many tasks. I was basically like a live in nurse. I was scared, but strong because I had to be. I saw my fathers personality change as he got worse in his cancer. He was in pain and in many ways quite angry.
I will spare the details on some of the things that happened however- other things should be told.
I'm about to recall a moment in my fathers illness that few know about but I carry the memory with me. If you get easily saddened or don't want to know about one of the scariest moments of my life...do not read on.
During my dad's Leukemia there were moments where he would kind of forget himself... and me.
In one in particular my parents and I were sitting in the living room just talking... and my dad suddenly started talking to me...
He called me Chris- the name of my sister that died when I was 5. He told me to play him something on the piano (Though I took lessons, I didn't get very far... so I'm not very good) When I told him no, but that I would play baritone (an instrument he played in his younger years, and that I started playing when I was 10) He told me "No" he said "Don't play that, don't take after me. I don't want you playing Baritone" Then he started talking to me like I was my sister. At 15 years old I was so afraid, I'd never seen this happen before... I began to tear up no matter how much I fought it... and then my mother asked if he knew who she was... he did. And that's when he came back to us, remembering who I was... It didn't last long but it still scared me. I didn't quite understand then that it was only a matter of time.
A few months later my father, who was worse, who was no longer doing much at church, and was basically bedridden... entered a coma on the evening of Sept 11th 2001...and We found him on the 12th... Then on September 13th my father went to be with the Lord, with family surrounding him, including uncles and aunts, and my brothers as well as my mom, my pastor, and his daughter.
My father was one of the strongest men I know. He taught me how to love, how to live, how to sing, how to smile. One of the most amazing things my father said to both mom and I as he lay dying in bed is "If just one person comes to Christ after hearing my story it will all have been worth it." So I live to spread his story, to share his strength and to pass on his memory.
You never forget a parent who loves so purely. He will live on in my memory forever. There are so many good memories that I will never trade. I will never fully get over or move on from my fathers death. Though I smile at his memory there are painful memories that hurt me just as the good ones help. But I will not let my fathers memory fade. People need to hear his story of strength and triumph and know that this man fought as long as he could, as hard as he could... I'm thankful for the memory of my father and I'm praising God that he is no longer in pain.
If you or someone you love is battling Leukemia...stay strong, stay encouraging and FIGHT.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-rlnge-5Ow
This certain cancer is one that is very close to my heart. So today's story is my fathers.
I was somewhat Freshly 15 in February 2001. (My birthday is in December.) I don't know much about when my dad was diagnosed except for he went to the doctor and they ran tests and that's how he and my mother found out. A couple of days later my dad asked us to get in the car and go for one of his nature drives. I remember we'd stopped by the post office then as my father started driving again that's when he told me he had Leukemia. I knew what it was, I'd heard of it before but I still asked him to explain.
As a 15 year old I wasn't really all that naive. What little naivety I had left disappeared when my father told me he had cancer. The next 7 months were both slow and fast... My father was in and out of the hospital, he was in a fair share of diabetic comas and we had been afraid we were about to lose him more than once. I went from a carefree, fun loving girl to one that took care of her dying father and injured mother. My mother broke her arm in May of 2001 and it was up to me to take care of my parents.
From May 2001 on I did so many tasks. I was basically like a live in nurse. I was scared, but strong because I had to be. I saw my fathers personality change as he got worse in his cancer. He was in pain and in many ways quite angry.
I will spare the details on some of the things that happened however- other things should be told.
I'm about to recall a moment in my fathers illness that few know about but I carry the memory with me. If you get easily saddened or don't want to know about one of the scariest moments of my life...do not read on.
During my dad's Leukemia there were moments where he would kind of forget himself... and me.
In one in particular my parents and I were sitting in the living room just talking... and my dad suddenly started talking to me...
He called me Chris- the name of my sister that died when I was 5. He told me to play him something on the piano (Though I took lessons, I didn't get very far... so I'm not very good) When I told him no, but that I would play baritone (an instrument he played in his younger years, and that I started playing when I was 10) He told me "No" he said "Don't play that, don't take after me. I don't want you playing Baritone" Then he started talking to me like I was my sister. At 15 years old I was so afraid, I'd never seen this happen before... I began to tear up no matter how much I fought it... and then my mother asked if he knew who she was... he did. And that's when he came back to us, remembering who I was... It didn't last long but it still scared me. I didn't quite understand then that it was only a matter of time.
A few months later my father, who was worse, who was no longer doing much at church, and was basically bedridden... entered a coma on the evening of Sept 11th 2001...and We found him on the 12th... Then on September 13th my father went to be with the Lord, with family surrounding him, including uncles and aunts, and my brothers as well as my mom, my pastor, and his daughter.
My father was one of the strongest men I know. He taught me how to love, how to live, how to sing, how to smile. One of the most amazing things my father said to both mom and I as he lay dying in bed is "If just one person comes to Christ after hearing my story it will all have been worth it." So I live to spread his story, to share his strength and to pass on his memory.
You never forget a parent who loves so purely. He will live on in my memory forever. There are so many good memories that I will never trade. I will never fully get over or move on from my fathers death. Though I smile at his memory there are painful memories that hurt me just as the good ones help. But I will not let my fathers memory fade. People need to hear his story of strength and triumph and know that this man fought as long as he could, as hard as he could... I'm thankful for the memory of my father and I'm praising God that he is no longer in pain.
If you or someone you love is battling Leukemia...stay strong, stay encouraging and FIGHT.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-rlnge-5Ow
Saturday, March 02, 2013
Motivation March- Breast Cancer
Today is all about a cancer that almost everyone I know, knows someone or has known someone with it...
Breast Cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in women, and men can get it too!
Personally I have known almost 10 women that have had breast cancer, and praise the Lord many of them are alive and well today and continue to touch my life and the lives others. I also know of many women who have died of breast cancer.
Cancer spreads quite quickly and is scary, any form but since tonights focus in on breast cancer I want to post a couple of things. This site is from Webmd: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/breast-self-exam
Check yourself but also get regularly checked for breast cancer by your doctor! It can come on quickly and almost blind-side a person!
I do not have authority to share anyones personal story on this certain form of cancer but I want to extend that if anyone who has been effected by a loved one having breast cancer or if you yourself have had treatment for it, and you want to share your story let me know! Facebook me or comment here.
Keep your head up, stay positive and continue to have HOPE! Keep fighting, and if it is a love one that's fighting the cancer battle stand up with them and help them fight! Support is important in a cancer battle and it really helps build hope!
Also, know that when you do share your story, if you are ready to do so, it really helps someone that feels alone in their own battle...NOT feel so alone!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF2gCxZneH4
Breast Cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in women, and men can get it too!
Personally I have known almost 10 women that have had breast cancer, and praise the Lord many of them are alive and well today and continue to touch my life and the lives others. I also know of many women who have died of breast cancer.
Cancer spreads quite quickly and is scary, any form but since tonights focus in on breast cancer I want to post a couple of things. This site is from Webmd: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/breast-self-exam
Check yourself but also get regularly checked for breast cancer by your doctor! It can come on quickly and almost blind-side a person!
I do not have authority to share anyones personal story on this certain form of cancer but I want to extend that if anyone who has been effected by a loved one having breast cancer or if you yourself have had treatment for it, and you want to share your story let me know! Facebook me or comment here.
Keep your head up, stay positive and continue to have HOPE! Keep fighting, and if it is a love one that's fighting the cancer battle stand up with them and help them fight! Support is important in a cancer battle and it really helps build hope!
Also, know that when you do share your story, if you are ready to do so, it really helps someone that feels alone in their own battle...NOT feel so alone!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF2gCxZneH4
Friday, March 01, 2013
Motivation March- Colon Cancer
So my Theme for March is all about Motivation and today was the start of Colon Cancer Awareness month so today was "wear blue day"
I have a dear friend that I met through my work with the Cancer Coalition, last year. We have something in common, both of us have lost a parent to cancer. So today I wanted to share with you the story of her mother, and of her and her family. My friend, Belinda, and her family are very inspiring and I'm honored that she's allowing me to share her story... So here you go:
"May 30th will make two years since we laid my mom to rest. She had just turned 43 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, and our lives were turned upside down. I had always said we were such a blessed family because we hadn't had anyone with cancer, then it seemed like I ate my words twice. In just 5 weeks my moms cancer had spread from her colon to her liver and bones. She was determined to beat this thing, and always tried to smile, but I know how scared she must have been. She began chemo and radiation in January 2011, and it quickly took a toll on her body. A scan after 4 treatments showed that the chemo wasn't stopping the cancer growth. The initial tumor in her colon was nearly 8 inches long at this point. She came to stay with me and my husband and kids each time she took the chemo, and that time is something I would never trade for anything. My girls were everything to my mom, and they didnt quite understand why mammaw was so sick. I remember her yelling for me when she was in the shower and noticed her hair coming out by the handfuls. She said she didn't think it would be coming out so soon, and it really took a toll on her emotions. By April, her dr had told us there wasn't any hope and we only had about two weeks left with her. My dad, not ready to give up, had her sent to another hospital with better cancer experience. There, they decided to operate on her to remove her bowel obstruction. At this point she had stopped acting like herself. She talked out of her head, didn't know us at times, and didnt remember things from her past. Because of her mental changes, when they operated to remove the blockage, she never really gained consciousness again. I didn't get to be there with her before her operation because my little girl was in Cincinnati children's hospital with a staph infection, so I never got to tell her that I loved her again and be able to hear it back. We stayed in Lexington a couple more weeks with her, then we brought her home with Hospice. After three days, we each got time alone with her to talk to her and tell her how much we love her. Then around five in the morning she passed, while we were all surrounding her with love. My girls were in the next room sleeping, and didnt have a clue of what was in store for our family, and how their little hearts would be broken when they woke up. She had told me once that she had waited so long to become a mammaw, but only got to be one for 4 years. Our lives have forever been effected by colon cancer. A mother truly is the pillar that holds a family up, and cancer took that from us. Since her passing, she had had two grandsons born and it seems so unfair that they will never meet the grandma that would have spoiled them rotten, and this is because of cancer. We now have some emptiness at each holiday, and at times find it hard to enjoy them. I can't watch commercials about cancer without crying, I can't see a mother daughter themed movie without crying ( Disney's Brave), and when each of her grandchildren reach a milestone or say something amazing I get so mad at cancer because I can't call her to tell her about it. Cancer has taken do much from us, but there are things it could never take. It could never take the memories I have of her walking to the altar in tears asking Jesus to forgive her of her sins and come I to her heart, this was three days before her diagnosis, so I know God was preparing her for her fight that night he laid conviction upon her heart. It can't take my memory of her standing in severe bone pain and testifying to the church that if God took her or let her stay, she would be a winner either way. Cancer cannot take the memories of our family, our conversations, good times and bad, or my faith that I will see her again some day. My heart was broken when I wasn't at the hospital before her surgery to say goodbye, but I believe I know why now. I believe I didn't get to say goodbye because God wants me to serve him everyday and strive for that day when ill see her again and get to say hello. Cancer took my best friend, but it cannot take my faith and my joy in knowing that my mom isn't suffering anymore and that she will never know sickness again. The pain of losing her is still here everyday, but knowing how we can testify to others and inform them helps to know that through it all, we can make a difference. Early screening and detection truly does save lives. My mom had several screenings before her diagnosis because she had odd symptoms, but nothing ever showed up until it was to late. I urge everyone to get screened at the first sign of something odd because colon cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable." -Belinda Riley
I hope this story has touched you like it has me and others who've heard it. I stand with Belinda as she urges everyone to get screened! Take part in regular screening when your Doctor starts suggesting it and if there are signs PLEASE DON'T ignore them. If you've been touched by your own family member who has or had cancer know that you are not alone. Look at the strength of Belinda and her family and know that she fought hard for that strength, please stay strong too. Until next time...
I have a dear friend that I met through my work with the Cancer Coalition, last year. We have something in common, both of us have lost a parent to cancer. So today I wanted to share with you the story of her mother, and of her and her family. My friend, Belinda, and her family are very inspiring and I'm honored that she's allowing me to share her story... So here you go:
"May 30th will make two years since we laid my mom to rest. She had just turned 43 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, and our lives were turned upside down. I had always said we were such a blessed family because we hadn't had anyone with cancer, then it seemed like I ate my words twice. In just 5 weeks my moms cancer had spread from her colon to her liver and bones. She was determined to beat this thing, and always tried to smile, but I know how scared she must have been. She began chemo and radiation in January 2011, and it quickly took a toll on her body. A scan after 4 treatments showed that the chemo wasn't stopping the cancer growth. The initial tumor in her colon was nearly 8 inches long at this point. She came to stay with me and my husband and kids each time she took the chemo, and that time is something I would never trade for anything. My girls were everything to my mom, and they didnt quite understand why mammaw was so sick. I remember her yelling for me when she was in the shower and noticed her hair coming out by the handfuls. She said she didn't think it would be coming out so soon, and it really took a toll on her emotions. By April, her dr had told us there wasn't any hope and we only had about two weeks left with her. My dad, not ready to give up, had her sent to another hospital with better cancer experience. There, they decided to operate on her to remove her bowel obstruction. At this point she had stopped acting like herself. She talked out of her head, didn't know us at times, and didnt remember things from her past. Because of her mental changes, when they operated to remove the blockage, she never really gained consciousness again. I didn't get to be there with her before her operation because my little girl was in Cincinnati children's hospital with a staph infection, so I never got to tell her that I loved her again and be able to hear it back. We stayed in Lexington a couple more weeks with her, then we brought her home with Hospice. After three days, we each got time alone with her to talk to her and tell her how much we love her. Then around five in the morning she passed, while we were all surrounding her with love. My girls were in the next room sleeping, and didnt have a clue of what was in store for our family, and how their little hearts would be broken when they woke up. She had told me once that she had waited so long to become a mammaw, but only got to be one for 4 years. Our lives have forever been effected by colon cancer. A mother truly is the pillar that holds a family up, and cancer took that from us. Since her passing, she had had two grandsons born and it seems so unfair that they will never meet the grandma that would have spoiled them rotten, and this is because of cancer. We now have some emptiness at each holiday, and at times find it hard to enjoy them. I can't watch commercials about cancer without crying, I can't see a mother daughter themed movie without crying ( Disney's Brave), and when each of her grandchildren reach a milestone or say something amazing I get so mad at cancer because I can't call her to tell her about it. Cancer has taken do much from us, but there are things it could never take. It could never take the memories I have of her walking to the altar in tears asking Jesus to forgive her of her sins and come I to her heart, this was three days before her diagnosis, so I know God was preparing her for her fight that night he laid conviction upon her heart. It can't take my memory of her standing in severe bone pain and testifying to the church that if God took her or let her stay, she would be a winner either way. Cancer cannot take the memories of our family, our conversations, good times and bad, or my faith that I will see her again some day. My heart was broken when I wasn't at the hospital before her surgery to say goodbye, but I believe I know why now. I believe I didn't get to say goodbye because God wants me to serve him everyday and strive for that day when ill see her again and get to say hello. Cancer took my best friend, but it cannot take my faith and my joy in knowing that my mom isn't suffering anymore and that she will never know sickness again. The pain of losing her is still here everyday, but knowing how we can testify to others and inform them helps to know that through it all, we can make a difference. Early screening and detection truly does save lives. My mom had several screenings before her diagnosis because she had odd symptoms, but nothing ever showed up until it was to late. I urge everyone to get screened at the first sign of something odd because colon cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable." -Belinda Riley
I hope this story has touched you like it has me and others who've heard it. I stand with Belinda as she urges everyone to get screened! Take part in regular screening when your Doctor starts suggesting it and if there are signs PLEASE DON'T ignore them. If you've been touched by your own family member who has or had cancer know that you are not alone. Look at the strength of Belinda and her family and know that she fought hard for that strength, please stay strong too. Until next time...
February's Theme
Today I'm doing something unusual! You are getting two blog posts. This first one is to talk about last months "Friendship February." I really enjoyed being able to share God's love for His people, WITH His people. On top of that I shared with my friends and family what they mean to me! What a blessing! A lot of people returned my message with what I mean to them and my heart was touched! I love every single friend I have and have enjoyed sharing February with them :)
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