Wednesday, October 22, 2008
November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month!
November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month. My Mother recently died of this horrid disease and as a devoted daughter I felt compelled to continue her battle against lung cancer despite her death.
Lung cancer is the leading cancer death in the United States among both men and women. Most people however are undereducated when it comes to this cancer. We know about breast cancer, which has a 5 year survival rate of 89%, we know about prostate cancer, which has a 99% 5 year survival rate, but what about lung cancer? It has a less than 16% 5 year survival rate. Despite these staggering statics little research or funding exists for the prevention and treatment of this disease.
Lung cancer is not just a smoker’s disease. Second hand smoke, radon gas, asbestos and exposure to other carcinogens also contribute. However 82% of lung cancers are tobacco related. Smoking increases your chance of lung cancer by 10times that of a non-smoker. Cure magazine states that “the end of tobacco use would STOP 30% of ALL cancer deaths”. This is a daunting statistic. It is not a question of blame, but about helping people to make better choices from this point forward.
Current smokers who quit smoking give their lungs a second chance. After 10 years their risk of lung cancer drops 1/3 to 1/2 of someone who continues to smoke.
My Mother was a smoker. Did she regret it, yes? Did she want to die and leave me a motherless daughter, no? Did she NOT want to see her grandchildren grow up, no? Did she want to leave her husband of 40 years a widower….no? She was able to stop smoking upon her diagnosis but unfortunately it was too late.
This disease causes tremendous pain and suffering. Not only mentally and emotionally but physically as well. Your body and mind deteriorate until all that is left is your shell of a body .You gasp for air until you finally take your last breath. Denial is at the root of many diseases. The dangers of smoking need to be understood and taken seriously. Smoking cessation programs and early detection play a huge role in slowing down the devastating effects of this disease. Education is the key to putting an end to lung cancer.
My Moms legacy will not end with her lung cancer death. Her love, memories and fighting spirit live on within me and the rest of her family and friends. If she could tell you one thing, it would be that “tobacco WILL leave you breathless”. It is too late for my Mom but not for you. Please contact the following organizations to learn more about how you can reduce your risks of developing lung cancer.
The American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, the Lung Cancer Alliance or the National Cancer Institute.
Lung cancer is the leading cancer death in the United States among both men and women. Most people however are undereducated when it comes to this cancer. We know about breast cancer, which has a 5 year survival rate of 89%, we know about prostate cancer, which has a 99% 5 year survival rate, but what about lung cancer? It has a less than 16% 5 year survival rate. Despite these staggering statics little research or funding exists for the prevention and treatment of this disease.
Lung cancer is not just a smoker’s disease. Second hand smoke, radon gas, asbestos and exposure to other carcinogens also contribute. However 82% of lung cancers are tobacco related. Smoking increases your chance of lung cancer by 10times that of a non-smoker. Cure magazine states that “the end of tobacco use would STOP 30% of ALL cancer deaths”. This is a daunting statistic. It is not a question of blame, but about helping people to make better choices from this point forward.
Current smokers who quit smoking give their lungs a second chance. After 10 years their risk of lung cancer drops 1/3 to 1/2 of someone who continues to smoke.
My Mother was a smoker. Did she regret it, yes? Did she want to die and leave me a motherless daughter, no? Did she NOT want to see her grandchildren grow up, no? Did she want to leave her husband of 40 years a widower….no? She was able to stop smoking upon her diagnosis but unfortunately it was too late.
This disease causes tremendous pain and suffering. Not only mentally and emotionally but physically as well. Your body and mind deteriorate until all that is left is your shell of a body .You gasp for air until you finally take your last breath. Denial is at the root of many diseases. The dangers of smoking need to be understood and taken seriously. Smoking cessation programs and early detection play a huge role in slowing down the devastating effects of this disease. Education is the key to putting an end to lung cancer.
My Moms legacy will not end with her lung cancer death. Her love, memories and fighting spirit live on within me and the rest of her family and friends. If she could tell you one thing, it would be that “tobacco WILL leave you breathless”. It is too late for my Mom but not for you. Please contact the following organizations to learn more about how you can reduce your risks of developing lung cancer.
The American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, the Lung Cancer Alliance or the National Cancer Institute.
smoking sucks...literally...
Yes, SMOKING killed my mom. If you smoke, it will eventually kill you (or at least make you suffer for a loooong time). Don't let anyone bullshit you into believing it won't happen to you bc it probably will.
50%, 1 out of 2 smokers WILL get lung cancer....
With every cigarrette you smoke, you are cutting 11 minutes off your life....
The avg. smoker lives 19 yrs. LESS then a non-smoker....
80% of people diagnosed with lung cancer WILL die, usually within 6-9 months.
Watching someone you love waste away and suffer with this disease is unbearable. If that's what you want for your family and for yourself, then by all means keep sucking on that death stick!
whewwwww, I feel better now!
50%, 1 out of 2 smokers WILL get lung cancer....
With every cigarrette you smoke, you are cutting 11 minutes off your life....
The avg. smoker lives 19 yrs. LESS then a non-smoker....
80% of people diagnosed with lung cancer WILL die, usually within 6-9 months.
Watching someone you love waste away and suffer with this disease is unbearable. If that's what you want for your family and for yourself, then by all means keep sucking on that death stick!
whewwwww, I feel better now!
April 11, 2008~Our Lives changed FOREVER!
They say talking about things makes them easier to take. Well, I beg to differ in this case.
On April 11, 2008 my husbands sister was murdered by her husband who then killed himself. They left behind 2 beautiful children whose lives will be changed forever.
I am now the Mother of 4. We will raise Leysa's Children as if they were our own. We will love them with every ounce of our beings all while being guided by her loving spirit.
Here is what I wrote for her funeral:
My Sister N Law Leysa was the nicest person I've ever met. I was privileged enough to have her as part of my life for over 10 years. She was an incredible Mother, Wife, Sister, Sister N Law, Aunt, Cousin, God Mother and Friend. Anyone who ever met Leysa felt her kindness and warmth and knew what a genuine person she was. ..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Family meant the world to Leysa. She loved her children more then anything. Nicholas was her handsome little man and Arden was her beautiful Princess. She raised them with everything a parent hopes for, including manners and the ability to sit quietly in Church. She participated in every event her children were involved in, including school events, baseball, soccer, dance and church, all while pursuing a rewarding career as an ER Nurse. She helped so many people. Over the last few days, I have had more than one person tell me she saved their life. She truly had an ability to care for people both physically and emotionally.
Leysa will live on through her children. I see her and feel her presence when I look into her beautiful daughters eyes. I see her and feel her presence every time I hear her son laugh. Mostly I feel her in my heart every time I think about all the things she will never see Nicholas and Arden do or accomplish.
I am a better person for knowing Leysa and will cherish the memories I have of her forever. She will be missed more than words can express.
We Love You Leysa,
Your family
On April 11, 2008 my husbands sister was murdered by her husband who then killed himself. They left behind 2 beautiful children whose lives will be changed forever.
I am now the Mother of 4. We will raise Leysa's Children as if they were our own. We will love them with every ounce of our beings all while being guided by her loving spirit.
Here is what I wrote for her funeral:
My Sister N Law Leysa was the nicest person I've ever met. I was privileged enough to have her as part of my life for over 10 years. She was an incredible Mother, Wife, Sister, Sister N Law, Aunt, Cousin, God Mother and Friend. Anyone who ever met Leysa felt her kindness and warmth and knew what a genuine person she was. ..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Family meant the world to Leysa. She loved her children more then anything. Nicholas was her handsome little man and Arden was her beautiful Princess. She raised them with everything a parent hopes for, including manners and the ability to sit quietly in Church. She participated in every event her children were involved in, including school events, baseball, soccer, dance and church, all while pursuing a rewarding career as an ER Nurse. She helped so many people. Over the last few days, I have had more than one person tell me she saved their life. She truly had an ability to care for people both physically and emotionally.
Leysa will live on through her children. I see her and feel her presence when I look into her beautiful daughters eyes. I see her and feel her presence every time I hear her son laugh. Mostly I feel her in my heart every time I think about all the things she will never see Nicholas and Arden do or accomplish.
I am a better person for knowing Leysa and will cherish the memories I have of her forever. She will be missed more than words can express.
We Love You Leysa,
Your family
She went with the angels 8-13-08
My Mother was the sweetest soul I've ever met. Growing up I was the center of her world. She was selfless in every way putting my needs and want in front of her own. She kissed my boo boos and rocked me when I was scared. When I was 8 she had a mini stroke. My Dad was out of town and nurses decided to sneak me into the ICU. Even then she was not worried about herself but said to me "but I was supposed to make you macaroni and cheese". As I grew her love and devotion continued. She truly was my biggest fan, never missing a single school or sporting event. She made sure I had the $80 guess jeans while her jeans came from walmart. My Mom was far from perfect but the love she showed me was perfect.
When I married and began a family of my own, she was right by my side. She took being a "Grammy" very seriously making sure to spoil her grandkids every chance she got. She loved her grandkids with the same ferousity as she did me. She was there holding my hand when I gave birth to Mason and McKenna and she was there when we welcomed Nicholas and Arden into our family. Not even cancers devastating effects could stop her from spoiling her grandkids. About a month ago in a wheelchair buzzing around HEB she put 4 toys into the shopping basket, 1 for each of her beloved grandchildren.
Recently We celebrated Grammys 67th birthday with an incredible surprise party that brought tears to her eyes. I am so thankful for that memory. A few days we celebrated my parents 40th anniversary a true testimate of the love and companionship they had for one another.
This past week I learned that despite my Moms will and desire to live a cure was not be had. She slowly became weaker and unresponsive. It was important to me to keep vigil by her bedside. On Tuesday I signed her Do Not rescuititate Papers and the prayers for the dying were said. She briefly opeaned her eyes and looked at me. I knew the end was near.
My heart broke as I kissed and hugged my Mother and Best friend goodbye, telling her to go with the angles as she drew her last breath.
For Christmas I gave her a bracelet that said "the love btw mother and daughter is never ending. I wear that bracelet today in honor of the love my mother and I shared and I wrote this POEM a few days before she passed away.
The Love between a Mother and Daughter never ends, though your gone I feel your spirit under my skin.
How do you say goodbye to someone who has always been by your side?
Your biggest fan and bestest friend until the very end.
I sit next to you knowing what lies ahead remembering the good times that run through my head. How can this be, how will I go on, I have to believe your spirit lives on.
Your breath so loud, your voice so weak, my beautiful Mother is still in there, so sweet.
I'm waiting, and worrying about the future when in reality nothing is worth more then this day.
I know life will go on, but a void will be left without you by my side. Through the good times and when I cry, I miss you already my dear sweet mom, your memory will never die!
Your feisty spirit and loving heart will live on within me with every thought.
Someone told me grief hurts so much because of the special love we share, Death leaves a heartache no one can heal but Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
The love btw a mother and daughter is truly never ending, We may be physically apart but you will forever be in my heart.
I love you Mom. I am always with you, Your Loving Daughter Christi
When I married and began a family of my own, she was right by my side. She took being a "Grammy" very seriously making sure to spoil her grandkids every chance she got. She loved her grandkids with the same ferousity as she did me. She was there holding my hand when I gave birth to Mason and McKenna and she was there when we welcomed Nicholas and Arden into our family. Not even cancers devastating effects could stop her from spoiling her grandkids. About a month ago in a wheelchair buzzing around HEB she put 4 toys into the shopping basket, 1 for each of her beloved grandchildren.
Recently We celebrated Grammys 67th birthday with an incredible surprise party that brought tears to her eyes. I am so thankful for that memory. A few days we celebrated my parents 40th anniversary a true testimate of the love and companionship they had for one another.
This past week I learned that despite my Moms will and desire to live a cure was not be had. She slowly became weaker and unresponsive. It was important to me to keep vigil by her bedside. On Tuesday I signed her Do Not rescuititate Papers and the prayers for the dying were said. She briefly opeaned her eyes and looked at me. I knew the end was near.
My heart broke as I kissed and hugged my Mother and Best friend goodbye, telling her to go with the angles as she drew her last breath.
For Christmas I gave her a bracelet that said "the love btw mother and daughter is never ending. I wear that bracelet today in honor of the love my mother and I shared and I wrote this POEM a few days before she passed away.
The Love between a Mother and Daughter never ends, though your gone I feel your spirit under my skin.
How do you say goodbye to someone who has always been by your side?
Your biggest fan and bestest friend until the very end.
I sit next to you knowing what lies ahead remembering the good times that run through my head. How can this be, how will I go on, I have to believe your spirit lives on.
Your breath so loud, your voice so weak, my beautiful Mother is still in there, so sweet.
I'm waiting, and worrying about the future when in reality nothing is worth more then this day.
I know life will go on, but a void will be left without you by my side. Through the good times and when I cry, I miss you already my dear sweet mom, your memory will never die!
Your feisty spirit and loving heart will live on within me with every thought.
Someone told me grief hurts so much because of the special love we share, Death leaves a heartache no one can heal but Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
The love btw a mother and daughter is truly never ending, We may be physically apart but you will forever be in my heart.
I love you Mom. I am always with you, Your Loving Daughter Christi
Dancing in the rain....
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning how to dance in the rain....
I am in the process of trying to learn how to dance in the rain. After great tragedy this past year, I've decided to begin the healing process and also learn to cherish the memories.
That is what this blog is about....learning to dance in the rain.
I am in the process of trying to learn how to dance in the rain. After great tragedy this past year, I've decided to begin the healing process and also learn to cherish the memories.
That is what this blog is about....learning to dance in the rain.
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