21 April 09 - 14:24American Cancer Society
My mother died of cancer.
My brother had breast cancer and I’ve had breast cancer twice myself.
Like millions of others, my family relied on the American Cancer Society for information,
resources, and understanding during our cancer struggles. I became a certified volunteer for the ACS
Reach for program some years ago, and this year I became a certified ACS
trainer. My jewelry designs are used
both locally and nationally to raise funds for the American Cancer Society, and
some of my designs are offered through the ACS
gift shop catalog and website. I
strive to create hopeful, inspirational jewelry for cancer patients, their
family and friends, and cancer survivors.
Cancer is a long journey but, together, we can make a
difference in the lives of those affected. We can turn
pain into purpose and we can replace fear with hope. ...
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18 December 08 - 11:35A Letter at Christmas
I'm
sharing this letter that was sent to me by a friend who has Stage IV
breast cancer . Her letter is an important reminder that, at this time
of the year in particular, when we're all feeling stressed with too much to do and
grumbling about the little annoyances in life, we should count our
blessings and be grateful for each day.
Happy Holidays and God Bless You.
Mary Pat
Dearest Mary Pat,
I too have been thinking of you
and just trying to get into that writing mode. I was touched when I
saw your email. How are you Mary Pat? And what are your plans during
this beautiful time of the year? ...
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22 June 08 - 00:24Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act
The Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act, H.R. 1078 and S. 2790
The Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act (CCCIA), H.R. 1078 and
S. 2790, bears that name because it aims to ensure cancer patients
access to care that combines primary therapy with symptom management.
The Act itself is also comprehensive because it offers an aggressive
and thorough set of recommendations for reform of the system of cancer
care.
Over the past twenty-five years, the number of cancer survivors has
increased from three million to eleven million. The growth in this
population is due largely to progress in the treatment of cancer.
However, this system of advanced treatment has often failed to provide
survivors with care that addresses the side effects of both cancer and
its treatment, which have a significant effect on their quality of
life. Cancer survivors may not receive appropriate management of pain,
nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and depression, and may not ...
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04 May 08 - 18:33Prayers in Pink
There’s one particular Bible verse that has spoken to me
very clearly during the difficult times in my life and I’d like to share it
with my readers because the verse offers us great hope. It’s Jeremiah 29:11, and I’ve relied on that
verse during the most trying times of my life such as my first cancer, my
divorce, and then again when I faced cancer the second time.
This is an excerpt from that verse:
“For I know the plans
I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future. Then you will call
upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me
with all your heart. I will be found by
you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from
captivity."
I’ve come to realize that I am where I am supposed to be and
that I have been delivered from the grief of my ...
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09 April 08 - 15:13Important Legislation for Cancer Survivors
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship is once again on the forefront regarding legislation for cancer survivors. The following link will take you to the NCCS site where you can view the proposed legislation. (You will have to copy and paste it.)
http://www.canceradvocacy.org/news/press/2008/cancer-survivors-support-landr.html
This bill is intended to work in conjunction with H.R. 1078 and, among other things, it will ensure that cancer survivors have access to health care plans. This is important legislation and I urge you to read the proposal. The NCCS site also allows you to reach your local legislator through an easy access link on the NCCS site. Your involvement in this cause and your support are truly appreciated.
As always, my best regards,
Mary Pat
27 March 08 - 15:30New Health Information Site
There is a new online site that separates medical facts from the hype and marketing. The name is WEGO Health and the link is http://www.wegohealth.com/index.html
I know what it's like to be ill and be faced with all the medical confusion so I'm very excited about this site. Please take some time and visit the site, navigate around, ask questions if you desire.
Wishes for a wonderful spring.
01 March 08 - 14:20Winter Wishes
I've found myself sometimes making wishes during the cold winter months.
I wish I could golf NOW.
I wish I could rollerblade NOW.
I wish I could view the green trees NOW and smell the freshly cut grass NOW.
Twelve years ago at this time, my NOW was breast cancer and my wish list was much shorter then: Dear God, I wish to live.
During the past 12 years, I've had the luxury of hitting a lot of bad golf shots (and a few good ones). I've also viewed the green trees many times while I was rollerblading. And every year since, I've enjoyed that lovely scent of freshly mowed lawns.
I fought breast cancer again in 2002, and once again, my wish list was simple. I wished for life.
Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in life's little annoyances such as bad weather. ...
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13 February 08 - 20:21Stones in the Stream
If you’ve ever had the
pleasure of standing near a stream of rushing water, you know the wonderful
music that the water creates as it splashes and slaps against the stones. And when a single stone is removed, the water’s
music changes ever so slightly and a different melody emerges.
Our mother was a kind and funny little woman. She spent her
entire life tending to wayward children and nurturing ailing animals. Once she rescued a sick piglet and nursed the
animal back to health. As time passed,
the piglet matured into a very large hog that Mom allowed to sleep on the front
porch. The hog, confusing himself for a
dog, escorted my siblings to the school bus in the morning and he greeted them
at the bus in the afternoon when they returned home from school. Mom loved that fat old hog, and the hog
probably loved Mom. Our mom was just
that kind of a lady---loved by all. ...
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