So just a little update on things...
I did see the oncology surgeon (actually her resident - but not the same one that did my biopsy)and my instincts were right, the lump was still in my arm. I really was trying to convince myself that it was scar tissue or something. After feeling my arm they decided that it was best to get it out so I was scheduled for an excision the following week which I had done last Tuesday. I was expecting the same sort of procedure as last time but she decided to excise a larger area to make sure that she got it so I ended up leaving with 9 staples in my arm. I am relieved to have this over with and look forward to hearing what the pathology comes back as. The first pathology report did say that it was normal tissue - they couldn't find any abnormal tissue which should have been the first clue that they missed it. Anyway, we examined the lump that came out and it really doesn't look like anything concerning (it wasn't black) but she is putting a rush on it so hopefully we will hear something soon. They let my sister stay in the room during the procedure which isn't the norm but it was really nice having that support there. It is so important to advocate for yourself and know exactly what is happening.
This week I have a scan of my pelvis and then we are spending the long weekend with family. I am so looking forward to this weekend! I am feeling alot better than I was a few weeks ago. My energy is up and I am ready to have some fun!
Hope you all enjoy the long weekend!!!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Care-Free??
Well, we have sure been enjoying these past few weeks of sunshine! It has been so beautiful here! June was so busy with finishing up school and celebrating our two oldest boys' birthdays, 10 and 13 which is so hard to believe. Where does the time go? Jeff & I celebrated our anniversary - 11 years. We had a get together with the family for my mom's birthday! My parents celebrated their 45th anniversary last week. "45 years of happy love" as my 10-year old put it. Not to mention we had a BBQ at our place to celebrate Canada Day. The fireworks out here in Stonewall are amazing every year. So as you can tell we have been busy doing lots of celebrating! It's been nice too spending the days with the boys swimming and having time to relax not needing to be anywhere really at any time. It's been a nice change of pace. Of course though it hasn't been all fun...
I did wind up back at the doctor's last week (I can't seem to get away from that place) with some new issues. We don't really know if it's the Interferon that has done a number on my body or if this is from something else but my iron levels have been affected among other things so while I'm drinking extra green smoothies (lots of spinach) I am waiting for an appointment for an ultrasound and a consult with a gynacologist. I won't go into details but some of these symptoms are gyne-related. I am feeling pretty drained and tired but not nearly as much as I did a few months ago so hopefully the iron and B12 that I am now taking will take care of things and we can figure out what exactly is going on quickly.
Also, I am back to see the surgeon about the biopsy that I had done several weeks ago. It seems as things have healed up, a lump is still obvious in my arm and so now I hope that the area of concern was actually removed. There has been some confusion about what the pathology report actually came back as. I have been told that it was normal tissue and also that it was a mole so hopefully, at this appointment she can clarify things and maybe reassure me that the correct area was removed. She wasn't the one actually doing the biopsy, it was a resident. I've been trying to ignore this for the past few weeks but decided it was better to get it checked out. Will find out on Wednesday....
So the fun never ends!
I have learned this from the past week though: Trying to carve out a large piece of time completely free of health concerns at this point and time is not possible for me. My body (and mind) has been through alot over the past two years and now needs the time to heal. Trying to bounce right back into life before cancer is just making me feel like I'm failing because I can't do it. Longing for life without cancer is only leaving me feeling frustrated and I'm realizing that it's impossible to make things different then what they really are. It's difficult to shift this way of thinking. I have always thought of myself as a healthy person. When someone asks (usually a new doctor) how my health is my automatic response is "Great! I'm healthy, no problems. Oh yeah, except for the cancer. Other than that I'm really healthy." I sort of thought that in life after treatment I would be able to believe this but the reality is finally sinking in. Wikipedia tells me that I have a 9-15% chance of a 5-year survival - not liking those odds. Just so everyone knows, I don't believe in statistics, I am not a statistic and I don't feel that anyone can predict what will happen in the future. But the truth is I do read them. My doctor does not like to discuss prognosis with me because he can't see the future. So I guess this leaves me with either scenerio A - I am in that 9-15% who survive at least 5 years, or B - I'm not, or C - I am different and when I'm 90-years old will be sitting in my rocking chair on my porch finally feeling like I have beaten cancer giving high-fives to everyone passing by!
If I had a choice, I would choose scenerio C!
So, although this summer isn't looking like it will be as care-free as I thought, it will definitely be fun-filled! We are planning a couple of weekend trips to get away and have some fun with the kids. I guess it comes back to balance again. Taking care of what needs to be done and then having some fun! My plans to return to work in the fall havn't changed and I am working at getting everything in place for this to happen. I am actually really looking forward to it! Life is all new now and will take some adjusting to figure everything out and find a balance. I do fully understand now how important it is to live in the present. The past is done and we can't change what has happened and the future is unknown so the only thing that I am sure about is this very moment.
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present. ~Babatunde Olatunji
I did wind up back at the doctor's last week (I can't seem to get away from that place) with some new issues. We don't really know if it's the Interferon that has done a number on my body or if this is from something else but my iron levels have been affected among other things so while I'm drinking extra green smoothies (lots of spinach) I am waiting for an appointment for an ultrasound and a consult with a gynacologist. I won't go into details but some of these symptoms are gyne-related. I am feeling pretty drained and tired but not nearly as much as I did a few months ago so hopefully the iron and B12 that I am now taking will take care of things and we can figure out what exactly is going on quickly.
Also, I am back to see the surgeon about the biopsy that I had done several weeks ago. It seems as things have healed up, a lump is still obvious in my arm and so now I hope that the area of concern was actually removed. There has been some confusion about what the pathology report actually came back as. I have been told that it was normal tissue and also that it was a mole so hopefully, at this appointment she can clarify things and maybe reassure me that the correct area was removed. She wasn't the one actually doing the biopsy, it was a resident. I've been trying to ignore this for the past few weeks but decided it was better to get it checked out. Will find out on Wednesday....
So the fun never ends!
I have learned this from the past week though: Trying to carve out a large piece of time completely free of health concerns at this point and time is not possible for me. My body (and mind) has been through alot over the past two years and now needs the time to heal. Trying to bounce right back into life before cancer is just making me feel like I'm failing because I can't do it. Longing for life without cancer is only leaving me feeling frustrated and I'm realizing that it's impossible to make things different then what they really are. It's difficult to shift this way of thinking. I have always thought of myself as a healthy person. When someone asks (usually a new doctor) how my health is my automatic response is "Great! I'm healthy, no problems. Oh yeah, except for the cancer. Other than that I'm really healthy." I sort of thought that in life after treatment I would be able to believe this but the reality is finally sinking in. Wikipedia tells me that I have a 9-15% chance of a 5-year survival - not liking those odds. Just so everyone knows, I don't believe in statistics, I am not a statistic and I don't feel that anyone can predict what will happen in the future. But the truth is I do read them. My doctor does not like to discuss prognosis with me because he can't see the future. So I guess this leaves me with either scenerio A - I am in that 9-15% who survive at least 5 years, or B - I'm not, or C - I am different and when I'm 90-years old will be sitting in my rocking chair on my porch finally feeling like I have beaten cancer giving high-fives to everyone passing by!
If I had a choice, I would choose scenerio C!
So, although this summer isn't looking like it will be as care-free as I thought, it will definitely be fun-filled! We are planning a couple of weekend trips to get away and have some fun with the kids. I guess it comes back to balance again. Taking care of what needs to be done and then having some fun! My plans to return to work in the fall havn't changed and I am working at getting everything in place for this to happen. I am actually really looking forward to it! Life is all new now and will take some adjusting to figure everything out and find a balance. I do fully understand now how important it is to live in the present. The past is done and we can't change what has happened and the future is unknown so the only thing that I am sure about is this very moment.
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present. ~Babatunde Olatunji
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Feeling Free!!!
Hi Everyone!
I hope you are all enjoying some sunshine (responsibly) and having a good start to your summer!
Sometimes having cancer can be like having a full time job. This is how it has felt like around our house the last couple of weeks. I was determined to not let these latest doctors appointments and procedures ruin my happy feeling of being off the Interferon. I really am feeling amazingly better! Like I said in my last post, I was going to meet with the thyroid doctor and that visit went really smoothly. My ultrasound didn't show any drastic changes over the past 6 months so he discharged me to be followed up by my GP. We will be keeping an eye on my thyroid function levels and I will be going for another thyroid ultrasound in the next year.
I did have a few lumps and bumps removed over three weeks ago and finally got the pathology back on Monday which came back benign. No cancer! What a relief! I was trying not to think of what would happen if these came back malignant. But sometimes it's really hard not to when you know that it is possible. More treatment? More scans and tests? I prayed alot over the past few weeks and this did two things for me. It made me feel better and not so worried and it also worked! They were answered and now I don't have to worry about -what if? My whole family just really needs a fun-filled, worry free summer and I am determined to make that happen.
I was asked to do a few little chats at Cancer Cancer about my experiences. One was for a group of doctors (about 20) and it went really well. They were so interested in what I had to say so that was great! I got some very positive feedback although I was a little nervous. I was able to talk to them about the issues that young adults are faced with specifically. Delay in diagnosis, being too young to have cancer which we all know is not true. I only had about 15 minutes but it ended up being much longer and they asked some really great questions.
I was also asked to speak at the Melanoma Information night last week. I was even more nervous at this one but am finding that sharing my story gets easier each time. In front of a theatre full of melanoma survivors, their families and our medical team I shared my experiences basically in the same way that I write my blog. I had some wonderful people come up to me afterwards and connecting with them was amazing. I remember sitting in that same theatre one year ago wondering where I would be now. Really wondering if one year later I would still be here... So it was really great to be standing there proving that we can beat this horrible disease.
I have been NED (no evidence of disease) for a little over a year and have already outlived the expected survival rates and it feels good.
I am still taking my Mindfullness Based Stress Reduction course and actually find that sometimes it is just too much for me. I skipped last week because I just felt completely overwhelmed with everything and not feeling like being too mindful. I felt angry and full of sadness all at the same time. We lost another friend to this horrible disease. I still can't think of it without tearing up and this intense sadness filling up my heart. I have to believe that he is up there flying, free and happy, not in pain anymore. I will never forget all the laughs and fun that we had, Caio. xoxo
It is not always easy to live in this world full of cancer where you connect at such a deep level with people and then have to say goodbye so soon. I can't imagine, though, going through this experience without that connection.
When I saw my oncologist last week we talked about what happens next. Basically, I get a break from doctors, tests, and scans for the summer. My blood work has bounced right back and is pretty much normal now. All of my scans have been coming back stable. I'm feeling great so now we enjoy the summer! I did talk to him about taking vitamins and supplements and he discourages me from doing this. Apparently there was a study done in which a group of people were given anti-oxidants (which Dr. Oz says is so good against cancer) and the other half were given nothing. The group taking the anti-oxidants had their cancer return much sooner than the group taking nothing. Well, I obviously don't want to be taking anything that is going to cause this to happen so what do I do? There are so many different supplements and vitamins out there that supposedly help your immune system and make you better able to fight this but how do I decide which ones I should be taking? It is all so overwhelming. My oncologist says that I am healthy and young so don't need anything but a healthy, normal diet. I'm really not sure which information to believe and don't have a tonne of money to be throwing around on things that have no merit and that will actually harm me. I'll have to do alot more thinking and reading up about what is best for me.
I have changed my diet quite a bit over the past year and a half; especially being on the Interferon because it made me nauseous most of the time. I do still love my blender and make alot of smoothies. It's amazing how much spinach you can get in there! Add a little pineapple and mango and I feel like I should be on a nice hot beach somewhere! Flax is my new best friend. I put it in everything! Quinoa is my new favorite "rice". It is so yummy and much healthier for you. We planted a big garden this year and can't wait to watch all those fresh veggies and herbs coming up. My goal is to eat as naturally as possible and completely eliminate any processed foods and sugar from my diet.
It feels really great to be able to go for a walk without being completely exhausted and wondering if I will make it back home again!. I have been out walking/running my dog everyday and it's great for both of us. I don't take this gift lightly. I remember a week or so after the brain surgery, I was at the gym with my sisters walking VERY SLOWLY on the treadmill and feeling like I just wanted to run but physically couldn't. I now don't take this for granted. I love the feeling I get when I'm running - Free!
I spent the most amazing day with my cousin, Sheri, a few weeks ago! Let me just say this - I came home revitalized and feeling so good about myself and the feeling hasn't worn off yet. It has given me a boost in self-confidence. (when you are sick this really does get knocked way down) I will never forget this day and am very grateful for it! Thank you!!
I have really been living it up these last few weeks and although life isn't always full of roses, it makes me appreciate them even more when they do come along. These wonderful things that happen to us everyday sometimes get covered by all the bad stuff going on and we don't pay much attention to them. They are there.
Cheers to a beautiful, care-free summer full of fun!!!
I hope you are all enjoying some sunshine (responsibly) and having a good start to your summer!
Sometimes having cancer can be like having a full time job. This is how it has felt like around our house the last couple of weeks. I was determined to not let these latest doctors appointments and procedures ruin my happy feeling of being off the Interferon. I really am feeling amazingly better! Like I said in my last post, I was going to meet with the thyroid doctor and that visit went really smoothly. My ultrasound didn't show any drastic changes over the past 6 months so he discharged me to be followed up by my GP. We will be keeping an eye on my thyroid function levels and I will be going for another thyroid ultrasound in the next year.
I did have a few lumps and bumps removed over three weeks ago and finally got the pathology back on Monday which came back benign. No cancer! What a relief! I was trying not to think of what would happen if these came back malignant. But sometimes it's really hard not to when you know that it is possible. More treatment? More scans and tests? I prayed alot over the past few weeks and this did two things for me. It made me feel better and not so worried and it also worked! They were answered and now I don't have to worry about -what if? My whole family just really needs a fun-filled, worry free summer and I am determined to make that happen.
I was asked to do a few little chats at Cancer Cancer about my experiences. One was for a group of doctors (about 20) and it went really well. They were so interested in what I had to say so that was great! I got some very positive feedback although I was a little nervous. I was able to talk to them about the issues that young adults are faced with specifically. Delay in diagnosis, being too young to have cancer which we all know is not true. I only had about 15 minutes but it ended up being much longer and they asked some really great questions.
I was also asked to speak at the Melanoma Information night last week. I was even more nervous at this one but am finding that sharing my story gets easier each time. In front of a theatre full of melanoma survivors, their families and our medical team I shared my experiences basically in the same way that I write my blog. I had some wonderful people come up to me afterwards and connecting with them was amazing. I remember sitting in that same theatre one year ago wondering where I would be now. Really wondering if one year later I would still be here... So it was really great to be standing there proving that we can beat this horrible disease.
I have been NED (no evidence of disease) for a little over a year and have already outlived the expected survival rates and it feels good.
I am still taking my Mindfullness Based Stress Reduction course and actually find that sometimes it is just too much for me. I skipped last week because I just felt completely overwhelmed with everything and not feeling like being too mindful. I felt angry and full of sadness all at the same time. We lost another friend to this horrible disease. I still can't think of it without tearing up and this intense sadness filling up my heart. I have to believe that he is up there flying, free and happy, not in pain anymore. I will never forget all the laughs and fun that we had, Caio. xoxo
It is not always easy to live in this world full of cancer where you connect at such a deep level with people and then have to say goodbye so soon. I can't imagine, though, going through this experience without that connection.
When I saw my oncologist last week we talked about what happens next. Basically, I get a break from doctors, tests, and scans for the summer. My blood work has bounced right back and is pretty much normal now. All of my scans have been coming back stable. I'm feeling great so now we enjoy the summer! I did talk to him about taking vitamins and supplements and he discourages me from doing this. Apparently there was a study done in which a group of people were given anti-oxidants (which Dr. Oz says is so good against cancer) and the other half were given nothing. The group taking the anti-oxidants had their cancer return much sooner than the group taking nothing. Well, I obviously don't want to be taking anything that is going to cause this to happen so what do I do? There are so many different supplements and vitamins out there that supposedly help your immune system and make you better able to fight this but how do I decide which ones I should be taking? It is all so overwhelming. My oncologist says that I am healthy and young so don't need anything but a healthy, normal diet. I'm really not sure which information to believe and don't have a tonne of money to be throwing around on things that have no merit and that will actually harm me. I'll have to do alot more thinking and reading up about what is best for me.
I have changed my diet quite a bit over the past year and a half; especially being on the Interferon because it made me nauseous most of the time. I do still love my blender and make alot of smoothies. It's amazing how much spinach you can get in there! Add a little pineapple and mango and I feel like I should be on a nice hot beach somewhere! Flax is my new best friend. I put it in everything! Quinoa is my new favorite "rice". It is so yummy and much healthier for you. We planted a big garden this year and can't wait to watch all those fresh veggies and herbs coming up. My goal is to eat as naturally as possible and completely eliminate any processed foods and sugar from my diet.
It feels really great to be able to go for a walk without being completely exhausted and wondering if I will make it back home again!. I have been out walking/running my dog everyday and it's great for both of us. I don't take this gift lightly. I remember a week or so after the brain surgery, I was at the gym with my sisters walking VERY SLOWLY on the treadmill and feeling like I just wanted to run but physically couldn't. I now don't take this for granted. I love the feeling I get when I'm running - Free!
I spent the most amazing day with my cousin, Sheri, a few weeks ago! Let me just say this - I came home revitalized and feeling so good about myself and the feeling hasn't worn off yet. It has given me a boost in self-confidence. (when you are sick this really does get knocked way down) I will never forget this day and am very grateful for it! Thank you!!
I have really been living it up these last few weeks and although life isn't always full of roses, it makes me appreciate them even more when they do come along. These wonderful things that happen to us everyday sometimes get covered by all the bad stuff going on and we don't pay much attention to them. They are there.
Cheers to a beautiful, care-free summer full of fun!!!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Finished and Feeling Fantastic!!
So, on Wednesday May 11th I did my last Interferon injection and went to bed feeling a huge relief, excited to finally start feeling better. I woke up Thursday morning feeling horrible and I think part of the reason was that I was feeling great mentally (relieved and happy to have this treatment overwith) but physically realizing that it was going to take some time. Now two weeks have gone by and I can actually see improvements physically every day. It's great!! I've been out in the garden and able to do all of my stuff around the house without a huge effort. I've really noticed that doing laundry, running up and down the basement stairs, is not as exhausting now and I can fly up and down those stairs with no problem. I have way more energy for the kids and alot more patience too! lol My skin issues have almost all healed up and are resolving on their own. As I watch my body heal before my eyes it amazes me. We need to look after our bodies so that when we need them to look after us, they can.
I saw my Oncologist on the same day I took my last injection and a few things came out of that visit. He sent me for a chest x-ray because of some shortness of breath and a cough that I have had. The results were normal and I will be going for a CT scan if this persists. Interferon is known to cause these symptoms too so hopefully this will clear up now that I am finished. He also sent me to a Surgical Oncologist about a few lumps and bumps in my arm and leg. We were sort of watching them for a while but decided that since I was done my treatment we would go ahead and have a surgical consult. I saw the surgeon and had these removed last week so now we are waiting for the results saying that this is not cancer. I go back in a little over a week to have my stitches removed and hopefully my pathology report will be back then. Last week, I also had an ultrasound done of my thyroid and I see that doctor in a week and a half to talk about what we are going to do about that. It will be another busy few weeks but I am not letting any of this put a downer on how I am feeling now. I feel great!!
Speaking of which, a few weeks ago I went to the Look Good, Feel Better afternoon at Cancer Care. It was awesome and they sent us home with lots of free loot! (skin care and makeup products) Loved seeing that they are giving out a lot of information about sun safety and lots of free sunscreen! This is a program set up for anyone going through cancer treatments and needing a pick-me-up. I walked out of there feeling and looking so much better. They also talk about hair loss, wigs, wraps and how to feel great with no hair. Bald is beautiful!
I am also taking a course through Cancer Care called Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. I was very unsure of this at the beginning but after going weekly for the past few weeks I am so glad that I stayed with it. It has really helped me to be able to stay in the present moment and breathe!
So, what did we do to celebrate and say good bye to Interferon? We had a party!!! It was so nice to be around family and the kids had an absolute blast with their cousins! We spent the day outside and it was beautiful. So I feel like a new chapter is beginning and it feels really good!
I was driving with my six year old in the backseat the other day and he starts asking me all about cancer and why people die from it. I was actually shocked that at his age he would be thinking about this so I took a few minutes to think of something comforting and appropriate to say. After a quiet pause I thought I'd better ask him what he was thinking about to see where he was at. His response was...... Cotton Candy.
Thanks to you all for your support and love!
Enjoy every day!!!
I saw my Oncologist on the same day I took my last injection and a few things came out of that visit. He sent me for a chest x-ray because of some shortness of breath and a cough that I have had. The results were normal and I will be going for a CT scan if this persists. Interferon is known to cause these symptoms too so hopefully this will clear up now that I am finished. He also sent me to a Surgical Oncologist about a few lumps and bumps in my arm and leg. We were sort of watching them for a while but decided that since I was done my treatment we would go ahead and have a surgical consult. I saw the surgeon and had these removed last week so now we are waiting for the results saying that this is not cancer. I go back in a little over a week to have my stitches removed and hopefully my pathology report will be back then. Last week, I also had an ultrasound done of my thyroid and I see that doctor in a week and a half to talk about what we are going to do about that. It will be another busy few weeks but I am not letting any of this put a downer on how I am feeling now. I feel great!!
Speaking of which, a few weeks ago I went to the Look Good, Feel Better afternoon at Cancer Care. It was awesome and they sent us home with lots of free loot! (skin care and makeup products) Loved seeing that they are giving out a lot of information about sun safety and lots of free sunscreen! This is a program set up for anyone going through cancer treatments and needing a pick-me-up. I walked out of there feeling and looking so much better. They also talk about hair loss, wigs, wraps and how to feel great with no hair. Bald is beautiful!
I am also taking a course through Cancer Care called Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. I was very unsure of this at the beginning but after going weekly for the past few weeks I am so glad that I stayed with it. It has really helped me to be able to stay in the present moment and breathe!
So, what did we do to celebrate and say good bye to Interferon? We had a party!!! It was so nice to be around family and the kids had an absolute blast with their cousins! We spent the day outside and it was beautiful. So I feel like a new chapter is beginning and it feels really good!
I was driving with my six year old in the backseat the other day and he starts asking me all about cancer and why people die from it. I was actually shocked that at his age he would be thinking about this so I took a few minutes to think of something comforting and appropriate to say. After a quiet pause I thought I'd better ask him what he was thinking about to see where he was at. His response was...... Cotton Candy.
Thanks to you all for your support and love!
Enjoy every day!!!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Stonewall screening
Good Morning to you!!
Well, I finally get a chance to tell you all about Monday nights screening of Wrong Way to Hope in Stonewall. It was an awesome, powerful, inspiring night full of stories. It was so great to connect with Mikey and Bonnie again and to meet Jason and Cassandra (friends of theirs helping them with the tour). We met up at our place for something to eat before heading to the hall to set up. Everyone really pitched in and in no time we had the hall set up and people started filing in (around 80 guests). The night started out with a few words from Jeff & I. I was super nervous and didn't get out everything that I wanted to say but then Mike & Bonnie with all of their great energy and excitement did a great intro to the movie. My great friend, Dawn stood up and sang a beautiful song by Pink - Glitter in the Air. You are amazing Dawn! It was absolutely beautiful. Gavin (Dawn's friends' 14 yo son) accompanied her on keyboard and is soooo very talented. It started off the evening perfectly. Then it was time for the movie....
If you havn't seen this movie it is a definite Must See. After the movie was over we had a little discussion with the audience and a few questions were answered. Now, usually in a movie you can relate to a certain character depending on what you have had happen in your own life. In this movie, for me, it was Cheryl. Everything that she talked about in the movie I related to. So it was wonderful that she was able to come out to the screening and we could connect. We also had a few special guests come out from Cancer Care to provide information and support to people. These connections that I have made have really benefited me so I hope that others get the same opportunity.
Next was Cake Time!! The cakes were awesome and I thank everyone who baked or brought cakes for this night. They were YUMMY and very plentiful! This was a great time to talk to everyone about what they thought of the movie and to hear about their struggles and triumphs with cancer. We all connected with alot of people and it made me feel like we were defying cancer. This disease does a great job of isolating it's victims and making you feel like you are the only person in the world going through it. This night, as I looked around the room and watched people laughing, crying, bonding and connecting with eachother it proved to me that we can change this aspect of cancer. No one should have to face this alone. Together makes us much more powerful against this disease!
Everyone that I have talked to since this screening was very inspired by this film and very grateful for the opportunity to see it. I thank Mikey and Bonnie for not only making it but also for sharing it with all of us by doing this cross country tour. You are really changing lives with this tour. Keep Huck'n it Huge!!!
This night could not have happened without the support of my family and friends. Thanks for all that you do!! Jeff, Mom & Dad, Laura & Mike, Christine & Dan, Auntie Debbie & Earl, and Dawn - Thank you for being the amazing, caring people that you are! I am so grateful to have each one of you in my life!! xoxo
Bonnie did a great job blogging about this night and has some fabulous pictures. You can check it out at http://wrongwaytohope.com/2011/04/stonewall-screening/. I'll try and link it up to my blog.
Stop, breathe, live.....
Well, I finally get a chance to tell you all about Monday nights screening of Wrong Way to Hope in Stonewall. It was an awesome, powerful, inspiring night full of stories. It was so great to connect with Mikey and Bonnie again and to meet Jason and Cassandra (friends of theirs helping them with the tour). We met up at our place for something to eat before heading to the hall to set up. Everyone really pitched in and in no time we had the hall set up and people started filing in (around 80 guests). The night started out with a few words from Jeff & I. I was super nervous and didn't get out everything that I wanted to say but then Mike & Bonnie with all of their great energy and excitement did a great intro to the movie. My great friend, Dawn stood up and sang a beautiful song by Pink - Glitter in the Air. You are amazing Dawn! It was absolutely beautiful. Gavin (Dawn's friends' 14 yo son) accompanied her on keyboard and is soooo very talented. It started off the evening perfectly. Then it was time for the movie....
If you havn't seen this movie it is a definite Must See. After the movie was over we had a little discussion with the audience and a few questions were answered. Now, usually in a movie you can relate to a certain character depending on what you have had happen in your own life. In this movie, for me, it was Cheryl. Everything that she talked about in the movie I related to. So it was wonderful that she was able to come out to the screening and we could connect. We also had a few special guests come out from Cancer Care to provide information and support to people. These connections that I have made have really benefited me so I hope that others get the same opportunity.
Next was Cake Time!! The cakes were awesome and I thank everyone who baked or brought cakes for this night. They were YUMMY and very plentiful! This was a great time to talk to everyone about what they thought of the movie and to hear about their struggles and triumphs with cancer. We all connected with alot of people and it made me feel like we were defying cancer. This disease does a great job of isolating it's victims and making you feel like you are the only person in the world going through it. This night, as I looked around the room and watched people laughing, crying, bonding and connecting with eachother it proved to me that we can change this aspect of cancer. No one should have to face this alone. Together makes us much more powerful against this disease!
Everyone that I have talked to since this screening was very inspired by this film and very grateful for the opportunity to see it. I thank Mikey and Bonnie for not only making it but also for sharing it with all of us by doing this cross country tour. You are really changing lives with this tour. Keep Huck'n it Huge!!!
This night could not have happened without the support of my family and friends. Thanks for all that you do!! Jeff, Mom & Dad, Laura & Mike, Christine & Dan, Auntie Debbie & Earl, and Dawn - Thank you for being the amazing, caring people that you are! I am so grateful to have each one of you in my life!! xoxo
Bonnie did a great job blogging about this night and has some fabulous pictures. You can check it out at http://wrongwaytohope.com/2011/04/stonewall-screening/. I'll try and link it up to my blog.
Stop, breathe, live.....
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
