Better days are here!

I am happy to say that I am pretty much pain free these days!! The injections have really helped and I am now off all my pain meds. Those of you that know me well know how hard it is to say good-bye to the pills. I hate them and hope I never need them again. These same pills are what killed my mom and uncle. They are evil.
I am feeling awesome and losing weight. I'm working on exercise and eating right. I feel like my body was telling me that I've abused it long enough. So far I'm down 15 pounds and I have 50 more I want to lose. I dream about the day that I don't have to shop in plus sizes.
Moving on with life has been so difficult. I miss my grandma, mom and uncle everyday. I'm mad that my mom and uncle couldn't quit the drugs. I'm mad that they aren't here. I hate that they had to live that way for so long. Being addicted to drugs is the absolute worst thing you could do to yourself. I am here to break that cycle for good. I promise to do better. I promise to never die of a drug overdose. I don't want my family to ever have to deal with that again. I will make my mom proud!
Thanks for checking in on me, I am really doing great now!!

Prayers needed!!

I wanted to ask for your prayers for a friend of mine. Her name is Anissa and she is an amazing woman, wife and mother. She is in her 30’s and just had a massive stroke. She had a stroke in 2005 and fully recovered. She’s a fighter for sure! This stroke is much worse and things aren’t looking good. Her youngest daughter Peyton (5) is a cancer survivor, and 1 year off treatment!! She also has a son, Nathanial (11), and another daughter, Rachel (7).

If you want to help this family please click on the box in the upper right hand corner!

If you want to follow her progress she has a Caringbridge site:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/anissamayhew

Perkins & September

This is a picture of Luke and Savannah in front of their school, Perkins Elementary School: Magnet Center for the Arts and International Studies. I LOVE this school and so do the kids. Whenever I'm on campus I just get this awesome feeling of pride. The teachers and staff are amazing men and women that love their school and work so hard to make it a success. Another thing that makes Perkins so wonderful is all the support they receive from parents.

This is Luke & Savannah in Dylan's Butterfly Garden on campus.

This is a Memorial for a former student and artist. His name is Dylan Crane and he had quite an impact on everyone that knew him. He battled the beast of cancer. He had Ewing's Sarcoma, a very powerful bone cancer.

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Dylan was only one of thousands of children that die each year from cancer. Many of the children that beat their cancer are left with a broken and beaten body.

There are many things we can all do to see that one day our children are free of the beast.

* Donate blood & blood products

* Join the National Marrow Donor Program

http://www.marrow.org/

* Support funding for a cure

http://www.fastercure.org/start.htm

*Support Foundations that support families

http://www.katiasolomonfoundation.org/

http://www.childrenscancercenter.org/

http://www.jakesfoundation.org/

http://www.heroesforchildren.org/

Thanks!!

September

Katia & I

I can't believe it's already September, this year is flying by. This month is very special for so many reasons. I had my first born in September. My grandpa died September 6, 1997. We celebrate Labor Day and the kids are back in school. The weather is starting to cool off a bit and September 11 is never far from anyones mind.

September is also National Childhood cancer Awareness Month, and this year September 13th will be their day. More children are diagnosed with cancer than in September than any other month. Last year was such an awesome year for me. I was losing weight, feeling good and fundraising to help families that had been faced with a very sick child. I meet some unbelievably remarkable kids during my journey. I am a better person because of these kids.

I have really wanted to do a fundraiser this year but I've had to focus more on my family right now. I am writing this blog to hopefully encourage everyone to do something, anything to fight this beast. If you don't have the extra money there are still so many things you can do. Donate blood, blood products, join the National Marrow Donor Registry, donate your babies cord blood, volunteer at a Ronald McDonald House, raise awareness by spreading the word. There are so many children battling this beast and for many, there are no more options. I just can't imagine being told that my child will die, but sadly this happens everyday. Families are being put through absolute agony watching their child fight so hard for every breath and step.

Here are links to some of my favorite charities that I encourage you to donate to. Every single penny is needed, no amount is too small. We will and are making a difference.

http://www.katiasolomonfoundation.org/

http://www.fastercure.org/start.htm

http://www.childrenscancercenter.org/

Thank you!!!

Deal-breaker

Since this is an election year I was wondering what every one's deal-breaker was. What is the one thing that would cause you to NOT vote for someone? Is it the candidate's stance on the environment? Their stance on taxes? Their stance on the military? Education?
I could never vote for someone that is pro-choice. I consider abortion to be murder. I do believe that their is forgiveness for women who have had one.....but only if they ask. I will never be able to accept that abortion is ok. It should be outlawed. There are so many couples ready and willing to adopt; why not give them the best gift possible. Each and every born and unborn child deserves a chance.
So what is your deal-breaker?

Sierra

I am sitting here, yet again trying to understand why another child has to die. I'm wondering how many of our children have to suffer from cancer before we are outraged. Some will say that childhood cancer is rare; I'm sure it doesn't seem so rare when it's your child. Our children are fighting this beast with drugs that were made for adults and they ravage a tiny body. The treatment is often what kills our babies. It just isn't fair that even after they have fought so long and so hard that they pass.
My heart is aching for the Kessler family right now. They were given a wonderful gift that was taken away way to soon. Sierra has always faced challenges with a smile. She was born with Downs Syndrome and later diagnosed with leukemia. She recently finished treatment for leukemia and within days she had relapsed. She was able to reach remission again but her body was exhausted from the fight. Sierra entered Heaven's gates yesterday morning. She leaves behind an amazing family and adoring friends. Please pray for Sierra's parents, brother and sister. I can't imagine what they are going through right now.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sierrakesler

Manatee's

Do you know how something gets in your head and you can't stop thinking about it? I'm having that problem now. When I was at the Fashion Funds The Cure a couple weeks ago I heard something that shocked me. Did you know that there is more money raised in Florida for Manatee's than the ENTIRE world raises for Pediatric cancer research. I love Manatee's but I think our children are more important. This just goes to show that we have a long way to go to find a cure. I encourage you to support our kids.

Girl's night

Me & Tonya

Nikki
Katia & I

I had a great time at the fashion show last night. I went alone but meet up with some awesome ladies to hang out with. I spent the first 15 minutes looking for someone I knew...anyone! I was able to meet a few new people and see lots of people from last year. The show was set up a little different this year to make room for everyone, and there were still many standing. I was lucky enough to get a seat this year. Thanks Tonya and Mary for hanging out with me, it was so much better than sitting alone.

The girls were awesome again this year. It's really hard to explain how special it is to be a part of something so great. These girls have fought so hard and lost so much because of cancer. This was a night for them and about them. As I watched each girl take her turn on the runway I was just in awe. This years show was dedicated to two girls (Taylor & Camille) that were in the show last year but have since passed away. I can't imagine being so young and watching your friends die. There were also two girls that were unable to attend because they are in the hospital. Emily is battling for her life at St.Jude's and Sierra has pneumonia. They were all dearly missed.

The event was on track to raise $300,000!!! Last year $160,000 was raised. This money goes to the Sunshine Project for pediatric cancer research. Our children deserve more options than they have. If the drug companies won't research to save our children then we will.

My MRI was normal. I'm hoping that this numbness will just go away like it came. I go back to the doctor next month and hopefully she will know what it is.

Pennies from Heaven

I have been working on a fundraiser with Luke's school, Perkins Elementary for the past two months to benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. A former student, Dylan Crane battled Ewing's Sarcoma and passed away in 2005. Dylan's mom, Carole came up with the name "Pennies from Heaven" and Dylan's dad designed a flyer to put on the jugs.
I collected all the jugs and cashed in all the change today. I am very proud to say that the kids collected $424.72 to help fund the cure. The PCF is such an awesome organization doing so much through the Sunshine Project to fund research. The Sunshine Project is focused on Ewing's Sarcoma and new treatments for this rare but devastating bone cancer. These kids fight so hard and suffer things that I can't even imagine. Most that die; do so not from the cancer, but from the treatment.
I would encourage everyone to do a fundraiser like this. It was pretty easy to do and so rewarding. The class that collected the most money wins a popcorn party. Luke's class was the winner with almost $70!! Way to Perkins!!!
*****New total.......$530.18!!!

Please join us!!

****I FOUND THIS ON THE LIGHTNING'S WEBSITE. MATT AND I ARE GOING TO SEE NIKKI HAWKINS SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM & KATIA WILL BE HONORED TOO.


LIGHTNING TEAM WITH STEVE YERRID & THE YERRID FOUNDATION FOR 7TH ANNUAL TAMPA BAY FIGHTS CANCER NIGHT
Tampa Bay Lightning
Nov 14, 2007, 5:09 PM EST
TAMPA BAY - The time of the year is back when the Tampa Bay Lightning roll out the yellow carpet for The Yerrid Foundation and a week of Tampa Bay Fights Cancer events.In the 7th annual Tampa Bay Fights Cancer Night, the Lightning and The Lightning Foundation will partner with community leader Steve Yerrid and The Yerrid Foundation to help spread the message that courage, strength and love can build bridges to a better tomorrow in the fight against cancer. Concluding Tampa Bay Fights Cancer Week, the centerpiece event involves a match-up between the Lightning and Washington Capitals on Friday, November 16 (8 p.m.). More than 4,000 individuals tied to the cancer community of Tampa Bay will be invited to enjoy the game at the St. Pete Times Forum.“Steve Yerrid has been a great friend of the Tampa Bay Lightning through the years, and we applaud his commitment to making a difference within the Tampa Bay community,” said Lightning President and H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation board member Ron Campbell. “We’re grateful to Steve and The Yerrid Foundation for their immeasurable friendship and partnership through the years as together we make Tampa Bay a better place to live, work and play for all its citizens. With special thanks to Steve and his Foundation, this day will allow people to leave their cares and problems behind. They can come out and have a great experience, meet some of the players and leave with a smile on their face.”To date, more than 24,000 cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, doctors, nurses and volunteers have been the guests in the Tampa Bay Fights Cancer Night activities. With the goal of bringing the cause to the forefront of the community’s awareness, The Yerrid Foundation and the Lightning Foundation have teamed to provide tickets, t-shirts and food vouchers to all participants of the event.“To my knowledge there’s nothing like it in professional sports,” Yerrid said of the event. “We have a situation where a great sports franchise allows us to bring together organizations that work to fight cancer, yet 364 days a year are competing for charitable funding. Our special night unites everyone and each organization for an extraordinary event of fun to highlight our awareness of the critical fight against cancer. It’s a very special night to show all the wonderful things we can do if we work together.“Recognizing that we put faces with the cause, when you see those young people at the event, all of a sudden it’s not just a charity event or some abstract motivation to ‘do good,’ it’s a reality and an even greater incentive to save the lives of people whose faces you see and touch. In this way, their cause and effect becomes ours. It’s very personal and heartfelt.”Special guests at the game will receive Zamboni rides, meet-and-greets with Lightning players and will enjoy other activities on the plaza level. One lucky guest will also be chosen to kick off the game with, “Let’s play hockey.”For this year’s event, fans will see the return of the familiar yellow Thunderstix, along with yellow Yerrid Foundation t-shirts. All fans will receive yellow Thunderstix at the game and are encouraged to help contribute to this special cause by purchasing commemorative items for the event. Fans will also be able to purchase the recognizable yellow shirts prior to the event for $15 and yellow bracelets with the “Tampa Bay Fights Cancer” slogan on them for $2. Fans may log on to TampaBayLightning.com and fill out the order form to purchase a t-shirt or bracelet in advance.
Click Here to Purchase Tampa Bay Fights Cancer T-Shirts & Bracelets

Welcome to my blog.

I decided that I should start a blog here on Blogger because it's much more user friendly than MySpace. I plan on using this blog to keep everyone updated on my fundraising and my family life. I hope to raise awareness and spirits. I feel like each one of us is born with a purpose in life and God will equip us to find it. My purpose is to help others, mainly children that are fighting cancer, and their families.