Thursday, February 26, 2009
Carrie from Senior Select
This wonderful lady not only gives seniors great advise. We showed her our caps. The next week she came in with a bunch of caps that her mother made for us. The caps are beautiful and will make many people happy. And that's our goal! So thank you, Carrie! And 'mom' too!
Busy tagging caps
It takes more than knitting and crocheting to make a project complete. Mary and Marie can't knit or crochet but they have other talents that we need. Not only do we need to have someone roll our yarn into balls, we also need someone to put the tags on the caps that are ready for delivery.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Another Note of Thanks
I want you to know that I have enjoyed two of your chemo caps which I got from a box at UT Southwestern Infusion area. I have been in chemotherapy for 5 months and of course, lost my hair. Your caps have been soft and comfortable, and have kept my head warm at home. Thank you for making these lovely caps for us. The effort and thought are greatly appreciated.
American Cancer Society Patient Navigator at Parkland sends a 'thank you'.
Hello, my name is Andrea Wright and I work in the Parkland Oncology Clinic. I am a social worker and work as an American Cancer Society Patient Navigator at Parkland. We have a resource room right in our lobby and we receive caps from your group! I just wanted to thank everyone who makes the caps and let you all know how beautiful they are! I was struck by the story on the blog that said Joyce was tired of itchy, uncomfortable hats and that is why these caps are made of such soft yarn. I receive caps from other groups as well, however the one's from Joyce's chemo caps are usually the softest and prettiest and go the fastest! Well, I just wanted to let you know how appreciative I am as well as are the patient's here who receive them, most of whom don't have the resources to go out and buy a lot of hats when they lose their hair. Thanks so much to all who make the beautiful caps!!They are truly needed!!
Thanks,
Andrea Wright, LMSW
Parkland Oncology Clinic, American Cancer Society Resource Room
Thanks,
Andrea Wright, LMSW
Parkland Oncology Clinic, American Cancer Society Resource Room
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Day of Giving and Receiving
What a day it was Tuesday. Lena, Vivian, Bill and I went on a little trip to give out caps and to receive donations. Our first stop was to the Cathedral Of Hope Church in Dallas. It was a beautiful church and the people there are just wonderful. Dan Peeler met us there. I knew that they were going to give us a donation but WOW! They collected money for our project and some of the members made caps for us. Twenty five caps. Here are some pictures of the caps. And then, Dan brings us to a room where there were boxes of yarn for us! I'm talking about YARN! Great yarn for caps, beautiful colors. They were counting yards of yarn that they were collecting but decided to stop counting when they reached 50,000 yards of yarn!!Now thats a lot of caps!
Dan is the minister for children and families at the church. He gave the eulogy for Joyce's memorial and had had such comforting words. He's also an artist! Here is a small sample of the murials that are on the walls in the children's rooms at the church.
Our next stop was the Cancer Center at UTSW. Huge hospital. We met Angela and Leslie there and had a good talk with them. This is where Joyce had her treatments. Such nice people. They are really interested in our project. They said that everyone is so happy to pick out a cap to wear. That's what we love to hear and why we make the caps.
Our last stop was to Parkland Hospital. We didn't go into the hospital. A volunteer came out to meet us and get the caps. It's quite a busy hospital.
After our visits, we went to lunch and back to the center to get our cars. I started to use one of the skeins of yarn when I got home.
We have to thank Bill for the help and encouragement he is giving us with our project. Like I told Bill, 'Joyce is still with us in this project and it's because of her that we continue'. We miss her dearly.
And to top everything off, Kate brought us a bag of yarn today! God Bless her.
Now we sure could use some more knitters and crocheters!
Dan is the minister for children and families at the church. He gave the eulogy for Joyce's memorial and had had such comforting words. He's also an artist! Here is a small sample of the murials that are on the walls in the children's rooms at the church.
Our next stop was the Cancer Center at UTSW. Huge hospital. We met Angela and Leslie there and had a good talk with them. This is where Joyce had her treatments. Such nice people. They are really interested in our project. They said that everyone is so happy to pick out a cap to wear. That's what we love to hear and why we make the caps.
Our last stop was to Parkland Hospital. We didn't go into the hospital. A volunteer came out to meet us and get the caps. It's quite a busy hospital.
After our visits, we went to lunch and back to the center to get our cars. I started to use one of the skeins of yarn when I got home.
We have to thank Bill for the help and encouragement he is giving us with our project. Like I told Bill, 'Joyce is still with us in this project and it's because of her that we continue'. We miss her dearly.
And to top everything off, Kate brought us a bag of yarn today! God Bless her.
Now we sure could use some more knitters and crocheters!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Message from Muriel in Brasil.
I received a card in my Postcrossing adventure. It's from Murial. This is the message that she sent to me. If you click on the postcard, it will zoom bigger.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Note received from one of our 'cappers'
Hi girls,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for making these wonderful caps.
I think you are all wonderful, special people to understand our bald headed need for cover...attractive, colorful, (or neutral), warm, easy head gear.
I have so enjoyed, and shared the ones I've picked up at UT Southwest. And, I will wash them up and return them (do you have a recycle program...case you want to bring em back in for a button or something?) when I have some hair again!
I would like to make a cash donation to help with your yarn supplies or whatever your supply needs are. Could you give me a mailing address and tell me who to make the check out to?
Thank you very much. Karen
Thank you, thank you, thank you for making these wonderful caps.
I think you are all wonderful, special people to understand our bald headed need for cover...attractive, colorful, (or neutral), warm, easy head gear.
I have so enjoyed, and shared the ones I've picked up at UT Southwest. And, I will wash them up and return them (do you have a recycle program...case you want to bring em back in for a button or something?) when I have some hair again!
I would like to make a cash donation to help with your yarn supplies or whatever your supply needs are. Could you give me a mailing address and tell me who to make the check out to?
Thank you very much. Karen
Another New Knitter
Wow! We have a new knitter! You'd think that Jan Phelps had enough to do but she wants to help us too! She and her husband, Jeff, train labs for CCI. They have two labs of their own and they're training Young. He will go to someone who will need a dog to help him (her) to get around. You can find out more by looking at their blog. It's called Raisingyoung.blogspot.com. It's really interesting. Anyway, back to knitting. Jan hadn't knitted in years but after looking at our information, she decided to give it a try again. Much to our happiness!! We are thrilled to have her join us. And she's doing a great job.
Glad to have you, Jan!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Scroll Through Our Blog!
Don't just read the top posting! Sometimes there are several new posts added at the same time or within a couple of days. And, some of the items that have been posted many months ago are still interesting now. It's like a good book! You have to reread it sometimes. We hope you enjoy our blog and it's free reading! We hope you get inspiration, happiness, information and just plain pleasure from reading our blog! And you can leave comments for any post. You don't have to sign up. Just add the comment under 'anonymous'. We'd love to know who leaves the comment but if you don't want to disclose your name, we're good with that.
Jennifer Johnson (age 27)-Survivor Story
This article was in the YSC (Young Survivor Coalition)January, 2009. It is very interesting and hopeful. I'm sure you'll want to read it. I think that it's wonderful how the cures for breast cancer has grown. When I was 23, one of my best friends found out that she had breast cancer and she was 5 months pregnant with her third baby. She was advised to abort the baby so she could live a little longer. She refused. Today she wouldn't have been given that ultimatum. The baby was born healthy. Unfortunately, Jan passed away 5 months after the baby's birth.
My husband, Matt, and I had been married four years when we decided to start our family and were lucky enough to get pregnant quickly. We were thrilled and nervous about being first-time parents, and all of the grandparents were anxiously awaiting their first grandchild.
In November of 1999, while five months pregnant, I found a lump while performing a breast self-exam (BSE). I had learned of the importance of BSEs in college through my philanthropy work with my sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. I showed my obstetrician what I had found at an appointment a week later, and, thankfully, she took it seriously. A week later a biopsy confirmed I had invasive ductal carcinoma. To hear the words you have breast cancer is life altering to say the least. I could not understand how a baby could be thriving in my body, while this cancer was trying to kill me. We visited with several doctors before making a final decision on treatment. I opted for a mastectomy since I could not have the radiation that is required with a lumpectomy during the pregnancy. I also could not have reconstruction at the time of surgery because they would not have been able to match my normal breast size.
Because of the aggressiveness of the tumor, I had to start chemotherapy during the pregnancy. At the time, there were only 40 cases in the national registry of women who had been treated for breast cancer while pregnant. All of the babies had been born healthy but, in many cases, prematurely. Thankfully, I tolerated the treatments extremely well. The day after I finished my last treatment, I unexpectedly went into labor. Our son, Parker was born five weeks early, but he was completely healthy and had a beautiful head of hair. Parker is now an active, healthy child who has many questions about his unusual beginning.
Proving that life goes on after a breast cancer diagnosis, Matt and I welcomed a daughter, Emma, in April 2003. This was a surprise pregnancy, but I could not have planned it better. It was so wonderful to experience a ''normal'' pregnancy and breast feed her from my remaining breast. My family is now complete, and, God willing, I look forward to many years with them.
Updated January 2009
In 2004, after much thought and research, I made the very personal decision to have a prophylactic mastectomy on my opposite breast to reduce my risk of a new cancer and had bilateral reconstruction with implants. Though they are not quite the same as real breasts, I appreciate remaining perky as I age!
Feeling the need to do more, three young breast friends and I decided to write a book titled Nordie's at Noon: The Personal Stories of Four Women "Too Young" for Breast Cancer to educate others that young women can and do get breast cancer and to support other young survivors. Nordie's at Noon shares our stories as four young professional women diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30 or younger. We were all at different phases of our life, but we now shared this common bond. Once a month, we met at Café Nordstrom's for lunch. It was our special place to laugh, cry, support and educate each other—and celebrate the journey of life after a cancer diagnosis. Hearing from women that because of our book they are now being advocates for their own health or that they felt less alone and more grateful for each day, made all the hard work worth it.
Today, I volunteer for YSC through the Point of Contact Program, in hopes of making the journey a little bit easier for other young women. I also enjoy participating in YSC's advocacy efforts to get the funding and research we need to better understand this disease in young women and, ultimately, the cure before my daughter ever has to think about it. I am honored to be a part of this sisterhood of amazing women that I did not ask to be initiated into. As I think about reaching my ten-year mark this November, I am filled with gratitude for each day and can't think of a better way to celebrate this big milestone than by participating in Tour de Pink 2009.
.
To see the newsletter, go to Youngsurvival.org.
My husband, Matt, and I had been married four years when we decided to start our family and were lucky enough to get pregnant quickly. We were thrilled and nervous about being first-time parents, and all of the grandparents were anxiously awaiting their first grandchild.
In November of 1999, while five months pregnant, I found a lump while performing a breast self-exam (BSE). I had learned of the importance of BSEs in college through my philanthropy work with my sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. I showed my obstetrician what I had found at an appointment a week later, and, thankfully, she took it seriously. A week later a biopsy confirmed I had invasive ductal carcinoma. To hear the words you have breast cancer is life altering to say the least. I could not understand how a baby could be thriving in my body, while this cancer was trying to kill me. We visited with several doctors before making a final decision on treatment. I opted for a mastectomy since I could not have the radiation that is required with a lumpectomy during the pregnancy. I also could not have reconstruction at the time of surgery because they would not have been able to match my normal breast size.
Because of the aggressiveness of the tumor, I had to start chemotherapy during the pregnancy. At the time, there were only 40 cases in the national registry of women who had been treated for breast cancer while pregnant. All of the babies had been born healthy but, in many cases, prematurely. Thankfully, I tolerated the treatments extremely well. The day after I finished my last treatment, I unexpectedly went into labor. Our son, Parker was born five weeks early, but he was completely healthy and had a beautiful head of hair. Parker is now an active, healthy child who has many questions about his unusual beginning.
Proving that life goes on after a breast cancer diagnosis, Matt and I welcomed a daughter, Emma, in April 2003. This was a surprise pregnancy, but I could not have planned it better. It was so wonderful to experience a ''normal'' pregnancy and breast feed her from my remaining breast. My family is now complete, and, God willing, I look forward to many years with them.
Updated January 2009
In 2004, after much thought and research, I made the very personal decision to have a prophylactic mastectomy on my opposite breast to reduce my risk of a new cancer and had bilateral reconstruction with implants. Though they are not quite the same as real breasts, I appreciate remaining perky as I age!
Feeling the need to do more, three young breast friends and I decided to write a book titled Nordie's at Noon: The Personal Stories of Four Women "Too Young" for Breast Cancer to educate others that young women can and do get breast cancer and to support other young survivors. Nordie's at Noon shares our stories as four young professional women diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30 or younger. We were all at different phases of our life, but we now shared this common bond. Once a month, we met at Café Nordstrom's for lunch. It was our special place to laugh, cry, support and educate each other—and celebrate the journey of life after a cancer diagnosis. Hearing from women that because of our book they are now being advocates for their own health or that they felt less alone and more grateful for each day, made all the hard work worth it.
Today, I volunteer for YSC through the Point of Contact Program, in hopes of making the journey a little bit easier for other young women. I also enjoy participating in YSC's advocacy efforts to get the funding and research we need to better understand this disease in young women and, ultimately, the cure before my daughter ever has to think about it. I am honored to be a part of this sisterhood of amazing women that I did not ask to be initiated into. As I think about reaching my ten-year mark this November, I am filled with gratitude for each day and can't think of a better way to celebrate this big milestone than by participating in Tour de Pink 2009.
.
To see the newsletter, go to Youngsurvival.org.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Partial List of Famous Survivors of Breast Cancer
This is only a partial list. To see the complete list of survivors, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_breast_cancer_patients_according_to_survival_status
Barbara Allen, American politician, Kansas State Senator
Anastacia, American popular singer.
Christina Applegate, American actress and advocate for breast cancer research
Carol Martineau Baldwin, mother of American actors Daniel, Stephen, William, and Alec Baldwin, and foundress of the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Care Center of the University Hospital and Medical Center at Stony Brook.
Kaye Ballard, American actress
Brigitte Bardot, former French actress and current animal rights activist
Allyce Beasley, American TV/comedic actress
Shirley Temple Black, famous Oscar-winning American former child star & former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.
Nancy Brinker, American founder of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Diahann Carroll, African-American actress, singer.
Sonja Christopher, Survivor: Borneo contestant (first to be voted off the island.
Elizabeth Cowie, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant who has been deployed to Iraq, after refusing to stay behind despite a diagnosis of cancer in her right breast; she was treated with two surgeries and a week of intensive radiation
Sheryl Crow, American singer/musician
Ruby Dee, African-American actress
Betty DeGeneres, American author and mother of American actress and TV host Ellen DeGeneres
Elisabeth DelPadre, mother of The View TV talk show host Elisabeth Hasselbeck; Hasselbeck's two grandmothers and one aunt are also breast cancer survivors.
Diana Dill, British-American actress; ex-wife of American actor Kirk Douglas; mother of American actor Michael Douglas.
Elizabeth Anania Edwards, American lawyer; wife of former U.S. Senator from North Carolina John Edwards.
Melissa Etheridge, American singer.
Marianne Faithfull, British singer and actress
Deanna Favre, founded The Deanna Favre Hope Foundation and wife of American football quarterback Brett Favre.
Peggy Fleming, American Olympic champion figure skater.
Betty Ford, former U.S. First Lady.
Ernie Green, African-American former professional Cleveland Browns football player
Dorothy Hamill, American Olympic champion figure skater
Shelly Hamlin, American professional golfer
Julie Harris, legendary American stage actress
Kay Helgenberger, mother of American actress Marg Helgenberger; 26-year survivor.
Lydia Clarke Heston, former actress; widow of American actor Charlton Heston.
Marsha Hunt, African-American singer, novelist, breast cancer activist and mother of Mick Jagger's first child, Karis Jagger
Kate Jackson, American actress
Ann Jillian, American actress, entertainer
Jennifer Jones, American Oscar-winning star actress
Susan Ryan Jordan, mother of American actress Meg Ryan; Jordan is a 29-year survivor
Joan Kennedy, former wife of Senator Edward M. Kennedy (Massachusetts); had surgery and is continuing treatment
Janelle Kidman, mother of Australian actress
Rue McClanahan, American TV/stage actress
Kylie Minogue, Australian singer, actress
Hala Moddelmog, American president and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Phyllis Newman, American TV and Broadway actress/singer;
Olivia Newton-John, UK/Australian singer/actress
Jerri Nielsen, American physician who famously treated herself for breast cancer while stuck in the South Pole after discovering a lump on her breast
Cynthia Nixon, American stage and TV actress.
Sandra Day O'Connor, first female U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Sister Ellen Porter, Benedictine nun and poet; author of “A Hermit Holds My Heart” (released as part of a special National Poetry Month celebration); she has been living with metastatic breast cancer since 1987.
Nancy Priddy, mother of American actress Christina Applegate.
Judy Rankin, American Hall of Fame professional golfer
Betsy Rawls, American Hall of Fame professional golfer
Nancy Reagan, former U.S. First Lady
Lynn Redgrave, Oscar nominated British-American actress
Richard Roundtree, male African-American actor.
Jean Simmons, British-born U.S. actress.
Carly Simon, American singer
Jaclyn Smith, American actress, businesswoman
Maggie Smith, Oscar-winning British actress of stage and screen.
Suzanne Somers, American actress.
Gloria Steinem, American feminist activist; stepmother of British actor Christian Bale.
Barbara Allen, American politician, Kansas State Senator
Anastacia, American popular singer.
Christina Applegate, American actress and advocate for breast cancer research
Carol Martineau Baldwin, mother of American actors Daniel, Stephen, William, and Alec Baldwin, and foundress of the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Care Center of the University Hospital and Medical Center at Stony Brook.
Kaye Ballard, American actress
Brigitte Bardot, former French actress and current animal rights activist
Allyce Beasley, American TV/comedic actress
Shirley Temple Black, famous Oscar-winning American former child star & former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.
Nancy Brinker, American founder of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Diahann Carroll, African-American actress, singer.
Sonja Christopher, Survivor: Borneo contestant (first to be voted off the island.
Elizabeth Cowie, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant who has been deployed to Iraq, after refusing to stay behind despite a diagnosis of cancer in her right breast; she was treated with two surgeries and a week of intensive radiation
Sheryl Crow, American singer/musician
Ruby Dee, African-American actress
Betty DeGeneres, American author and mother of American actress and TV host Ellen DeGeneres
Elisabeth DelPadre, mother of The View TV talk show host Elisabeth Hasselbeck; Hasselbeck's two grandmothers and one aunt are also breast cancer survivors.
Diana Dill, British-American actress; ex-wife of American actor Kirk Douglas; mother of American actor Michael Douglas.
Elizabeth Anania Edwards, American lawyer; wife of former U.S. Senator from North Carolina John Edwards.
Melissa Etheridge, American singer.
Marianne Faithfull, British singer and actress
Deanna Favre, founded The Deanna Favre Hope Foundation and wife of American football quarterback Brett Favre.
Peggy Fleming, American Olympic champion figure skater.
Betty Ford, former U.S. First Lady.
Ernie Green, African-American former professional Cleveland Browns football player
Dorothy Hamill, American Olympic champion figure skater
Shelly Hamlin, American professional golfer
Julie Harris, legendary American stage actress
Kay Helgenberger, mother of American actress Marg Helgenberger; 26-year survivor.
Lydia Clarke Heston, former actress; widow of American actor Charlton Heston.
Marsha Hunt, African-American singer, novelist, breast cancer activist and mother of Mick Jagger's first child, Karis Jagger
Kate Jackson, American actress
Ann Jillian, American actress, entertainer
Jennifer Jones, American Oscar-winning star actress
Susan Ryan Jordan, mother of American actress Meg Ryan; Jordan is a 29-year survivor
Joan Kennedy, former wife of Senator Edward M. Kennedy (Massachusetts); had surgery and is continuing treatment
Janelle Kidman, mother of Australian actress
Rue McClanahan, American TV/stage actress
Kylie Minogue, Australian singer, actress
Hala Moddelmog, American president and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Phyllis Newman, American TV and Broadway actress/singer;
Olivia Newton-John, UK/Australian singer/actress
Jerri Nielsen, American physician who famously treated herself for breast cancer while stuck in the South Pole after discovering a lump on her breast
Cynthia Nixon, American stage and TV actress.
Sandra Day O'Connor, first female U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Sister Ellen Porter, Benedictine nun and poet; author of “A Hermit Holds My Heart” (released as part of a special National Poetry Month celebration); she has been living with metastatic breast cancer since 1987.
Nancy Priddy, mother of American actress Christina Applegate.
Judy Rankin, American Hall of Fame professional golfer
Betsy Rawls, American Hall of Fame professional golfer
Nancy Reagan, former U.S. First Lady
Lynn Redgrave, Oscar nominated British-American actress
Richard Roundtree, male African-American actor.
Jean Simmons, British-born U.S. actress.
Carly Simon, American singer
Jaclyn Smith, American actress, businesswoman
Maggie Smith, Oscar-winning British actress of stage and screen.
Suzanne Somers, American actress.
Gloria Steinem, American feminist activist; stepmother of British actor Christian Bale.
Three new knitters
We have three new knitters this week. Well, actually two. Micki made caps for us before and she has friends that are making caps for us too. Beautiful caps. Nancy and Cici just learned to knit and completed their first caps. They look proud, don't they? And they should. Thank you girls for making caps for us!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year and a Blessed 2009
Our prayer is for everyone in 2009 to find peace, happiness and good health for 2009. May God be with everyone who will undergo chemotherapy for the first time in 2009, for those that have ended their chemo treatments, for those who are in remission and for those that will not survive. May God be with all of you and your families.
Joyce's Chemocap Project will continue and we are hoping that we can increase the amount of caps made. We are getting a lot of requests for caps. One of the volunteers at the oncology center said that it was such a joy to see the faces last week as they were going through the box to find just the right cap for them. We need more knitters and crocheters. Anyone reading this, if you knit or crochet, please give us a call. If you know of someone who can knit or crochet for us, please refer them to us. It doesn't take a lot of time to complete a cap and can be made at your leasure. What is the saying about 'idle hands'?
And thank's to all who have made caps for us in 2008. We truly appreciate you.
Joyce's Chemocap Project will continue and we are hoping that we can increase the amount of caps made. We are getting a lot of requests for caps. One of the volunteers at the oncology center said that it was such a joy to see the faces last week as they were going through the box to find just the right cap for them. We need more knitters and crocheters. Anyone reading this, if you knit or crochet, please give us a call. If you know of someone who can knit or crochet for us, please refer them to us. It doesn't take a lot of time to complete a cap and can be made at your leasure. What is the saying about 'idle hands'?
And thank's to all who have made caps for us in 2008. We truly appreciate you.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Merry Christmas from Joyce's Chemo Cap Project
Merry Christmas from all of the knitters and crocheters to all of you who have cancer, have survived cancer or have lost a loved one from cancer. We hope that our caps have given to each person who wears our cap a little happiness, a little dignity and a little comfort. Each cap was made with love and with a prayer for the person who gets the cap. We wish for you and all your loved ones the joy and wonder of the season. Most of all, we hope that you will all find peace during this special time of the year.
Lena, Vivian and Jan want to thank everyone who has made a cap or caps for our project. And a thank you to all who have donated yarn or money for our project. We pray for a blessing for you and your families who have given blessings to so many. Christmas is a time for giving but you have given all year.
We want to thank Joyce's family who have been so supportive and helpful to us. You are all special people. Joyce did a good job raising you.
And, thank you, Joyce. We love you.
Lena, Vivian and Jan want to thank everyone who has made a cap or caps for our project. And a thank you to all who have donated yarn or money for our project. We pray for a blessing for you and your families who have given blessings to so many. Christmas is a time for giving but you have given all year.
We want to thank Joyce's family who have been so supportive and helpful to us. You are all special people. Joyce did a good job raising you.
And, thank you, Joyce. We love you.
A Christmas Poem
Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself.
- Norman W. Brooks –
HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!!
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself.
- Norman W. Brooks –
HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
So, They Found Something on your Mammogram
It happens sometimes. You have a mammogram and get a letter that there was something in your mammogram that needs to be checked. Don't Panic!! This isn't unusual. I got a letter last week. I waited for Monday to come to find out what it was. I've never received a letter like that before. They said that there were two spots they wanted to check. So I had another mammogram and then an ultrasound. It wasn't anything. It could have been. But it wasn't. It's so important to get that first mammogram. And a followup is important too. Don't be afraid. Don't shy away from that second test. I could have worried but left it in God's hands. If they found something in the ultrasound, then I'd have it taken care of. But not to worry until there's something to worry about. Mammograms are sooooo important.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
First Christmas with Cancer
Jingle Bell Rock’ and ‘Little Drummer Boy’ reverberating through shopping centres are a given this time of the year. Joyous Father Christmases with gleeful faces are surrounding us like a halo. If this is your first Christmas with cancer, you might want to run up to them and scream: “Shush!! There are serious things happening in my life!!” But you can’t, and you shouldn’t. Christmas is there for a reason, and will remain as such. There are lots you can do to make this one especially unique.
Remember that you CAN beat cancer. Once you get your trail of thought focused on that fact, your attitude will surely follow. There are many reasons to get out of bed. The nearest-and-dearest people in your life might feel awkward at this time, and are most definitely concerned about your well-being. Start with them. Do something particularly special for their Christmas stockings. Write a poem, make a painting, award someone with a certificate of excellence, knit a scarf, make a family collage, or dedicate a song – anything that is a personal gift from you to them. Some loved-ones that seem to have ‘pulled away’ since your diagnosis can be pulled right back in, with your help. They are just as shocked, worried and bewildered as you with the news of your illness. Not all people know how to deal with these feelings, and are at a loss for words. Show them that you understand, care for them, need them and feel the same. Think of something that will particularly charm each of those people closest to your heart. Become Father Christmas!!
We all have to learn to live life to the fullest. Choose two nice things to do for Christmas. Your energy levels might not be what they were before therapy, so more than two will tire you, and lessen the joy of the occasion. Quality, and not quantity, should be your motto this year. If you have the fortitude to host something, ask for help. It will be great fun having a ‘group preparation’ for a fun celebration. For once, have that storybook Christmas you’ve always dreamed about. Your attitude will make it possible, and your loved-ones will be astounded by your positive spirit.
Another point to consider is the foods associated with Christmas. Fact is, it’s seldom – if ever – the organic, nutritious, vegetable laden tables that will await you. Foods with sinful substances, sub-substances, sugars, fat, creams, wines and all sorts of immune system nightmares are a sure thing. It is only Christmas once. Have a taste, and fear not. Just bear in mind that rich foods might make you nauseous, and your appetite might be in reverse gear. Dish for yourself as for a small child. After Christmas you can always go on a ‘binge corrector’ diet, and stick to raw vegetables and fruit for a day or two.
If you feel like portraying that hidden hippy, gypsy, model, princess or eccentric artist in you – go out and search for the outfit. Get attitude and have fun doing so! Whilst planning or shopping, sing to yourself: “I’m not done yet!” Your ‘boots of stance’ regarding your condition will help you climb the highest Christmas tree.
Adelle Ottavini-Editor of BelleOnline
Remember that you CAN beat cancer. Once you get your trail of thought focused on that fact, your attitude will surely follow. There are many reasons to get out of bed. The nearest-and-dearest people in your life might feel awkward at this time, and are most definitely concerned about your well-being. Start with them. Do something particularly special for their Christmas stockings. Write a poem, make a painting, award someone with a certificate of excellence, knit a scarf, make a family collage, or dedicate a song – anything that is a personal gift from you to them. Some loved-ones that seem to have ‘pulled away’ since your diagnosis can be pulled right back in, with your help. They are just as shocked, worried and bewildered as you with the news of your illness. Not all people know how to deal with these feelings, and are at a loss for words. Show them that you understand, care for them, need them and feel the same. Think of something that will particularly charm each of those people closest to your heart. Become Father Christmas!!
We all have to learn to live life to the fullest. Choose two nice things to do for Christmas. Your energy levels might not be what they were before therapy, so more than two will tire you, and lessen the joy of the occasion. Quality, and not quantity, should be your motto this year. If you have the fortitude to host something, ask for help. It will be great fun having a ‘group preparation’ for a fun celebration. For once, have that storybook Christmas you’ve always dreamed about. Your attitude will make it possible, and your loved-ones will be astounded by your positive spirit.
Another point to consider is the foods associated with Christmas. Fact is, it’s seldom – if ever – the organic, nutritious, vegetable laden tables that will await you. Foods with sinful substances, sub-substances, sugars, fat, creams, wines and all sorts of immune system nightmares are a sure thing. It is only Christmas once. Have a taste, and fear not. Just bear in mind that rich foods might make you nauseous, and your appetite might be in reverse gear. Dish for yourself as for a small child. After Christmas you can always go on a ‘binge corrector’ diet, and stick to raw vegetables and fruit for a day or two.
If you feel like portraying that hidden hippy, gypsy, model, princess or eccentric artist in you – go out and search for the outfit. Get attitude and have fun doing so! Whilst planning or shopping, sing to yourself: “I’m not done yet!” Your ‘boots of stance’ regarding your condition will help you climb the highest Christmas tree.
Adelle Ottavini-Editor of BelleOnline
Christmas Poem
Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself.
- Norman W. Brooks –
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself.
- Norman W. Brooks –
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Courage
Do not be afraid of tomorrow; for God is already there. Author Unknown
One must not forget that recovery is brought about not by the physician, but by the sick man himself. He heals himself, by his own power, exactly as he walks by means of his own power, or eats, or thinks, breathes or sleeps. Georg Groddeck, The Book of the It, 1923
It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. Abraham Lincoln
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright, quoted in Reader's Digest, June 1995
Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities - always see them, for they're always there. Norman Vincent Peale
Courage is being afraid but going on anyhow. Dan Rather
When you treat a disease, first treat the mind. Chen Jen
Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway. Mary C. Crowley
If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell. Lance Armstrong
One must not forget that recovery is brought about not by the physician, but by the sick man himself. He heals himself, by his own power, exactly as he walks by means of his own power, or eats, or thinks, breathes or sleeps. Georg Groddeck, The Book of the It, 1923
It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. Abraham Lincoln
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright, quoted in Reader's Digest, June 1995
Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities - always see them, for they're always there. Norman Vincent Peale
Courage is being afraid but going on anyhow. Dan Rather
When you treat a disease, first treat the mind. Chen Jen
Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway. Mary C. Crowley
If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell. Lance Armstrong
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Condolences Sent to Joyce's Family
Mom, I will miss you deeply. The presence of your spirit is with every one left behind. Peace and Blessings. John Ameser
Joyce will be deeply missed by all her friends at the Grand Reserve Seniors Community where we were blessed to have her as one of our "family" for the past few years. Beverly Mason & Shandra Jones Grand Reserve Seniors Staff
I remember a lively Thanksgiving dinner in Dallas where we all told hilarious stories and had a great time long into the night. I knew Joyce for a long time, and she was very nice to us. She battled long and hard, she will be greatly missed. Lisa Smith and Johnny Boggs
Joyce was such a Gem! I had only known Joyce for a few months, but was so impressed by her courageous manner.I am proud to say that I belong to the dedicated women of the Joyce's Chemo Caps and will continue this legacy in honour of your lovely mother. She will be sadly missed. Sincerely Jerri Nix
I met Joyce a few years ago when we went to the museums with the Allen Senior Center. I liked her immediately. Since then, I have grown to love her as a dear friend. Little did I know when I met her,how our lives would be linked together. Because of Joyce and her concern for others, we started Joyce's Chemo Caps. I know that God brought us together for that purpose. Her name and her legacy will carry on. Many in the future will be touched by Joyce's love and care. She was a sweet, beautiful lady and we all loved her and still do. My condolences to the family. You are all a part of Joyce's Chemo Cap Project! Jan Goble
I had the great pleasure of spending a few Thanksgivings and Christmases with Joyce. I feel blessed to have known her. Joyce will be greatly missed.
Jerry Secondine
You will be greatly missed by all who had the privelege of knowing you. Rest in peace as you certainly deserve it.
Dale E. LeBeau
Aunt Joyce will be missed. I can recall many stories that my Mother, Muriel, talked about when her and Aunt Joyce grew up. I was in Dallas a few years ago and remember having a great time visiting her and my cousins. She was always very thoughtful. I have three children, Griffin, Serena, and Ryley; she never forgot to send them a card for their birthday. My family sends sympathy to my cousins and their families during this difficult time. Joe Bethle
Joyce will be deeply missed by all her friends at the Grand Reserve Seniors Community where we were blessed to have her as one of our "family" for the past few years. Beverly Mason & Shandra Jones Grand Reserve Seniors Staff
I remember a lively Thanksgiving dinner in Dallas where we all told hilarious stories and had a great time long into the night. I knew Joyce for a long time, and she was very nice to us. She battled long and hard, she will be greatly missed. Lisa Smith and Johnny Boggs
Joyce was such a Gem! I had only known Joyce for a few months, but was so impressed by her courageous manner.I am proud to say that I belong to the dedicated women of the Joyce's Chemo Caps and will continue this legacy in honour of your lovely mother. She will be sadly missed. Sincerely Jerri Nix
I met Joyce a few years ago when we went to the museums with the Allen Senior Center. I liked her immediately. Since then, I have grown to love her as a dear friend. Little did I know when I met her,how our lives would be linked together. Because of Joyce and her concern for others, we started Joyce's Chemo Caps. I know that God brought us together for that purpose. Her name and her legacy will carry on. Many in the future will be touched by Joyce's love and care. She was a sweet, beautiful lady and we all loved her and still do. My condolences to the family. You are all a part of Joyce's Chemo Cap Project! Jan Goble
I had the great pleasure of spending a few Thanksgivings and Christmases with Joyce. I feel blessed to have known her. Joyce will be greatly missed.
Jerry Secondine
You will be greatly missed by all who had the privelege of knowing you. Rest in peace as you certainly deserve it.
Dale E. LeBeau
Aunt Joyce will be missed. I can recall many stories that my Mother, Muriel, talked about when her and Aunt Joyce grew up. I was in Dallas a few years ago and remember having a great time visiting her and my cousins. She was always very thoughtful. I have three children, Griffin, Serena, and Ryley; she never forgot to send them a card for their birthday. My family sends sympathy to my cousins and their families during this difficult time. Joe Bethle
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Joyce Elaine Schmitt February 26, 1933- November 4, 2008
Joyce Elaine Schmitt, age 75, of McKinney, Texas passed away on November 4, 2008. She was born on February 26, 1933, in New Castle, Pennsylvania to Clarence Earl Kennedy and Betty Johnson Kennedy. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
She is survived by her sons, John Ameser and life partner Michael Magnia of Plano, Texas; Bill Ameser and life partner Scott Turnbull of Fairview, Texas; daughter, Tracie Burton, husband Tom Burton and grandson Zack Burton of Canton, Michigan; sister, Muriel Bethle of New Castle, Pennsylvania and a host of other family and friends.
In August 2007 after losing her hair for a second time to chemotherapy, Joyce felt uncomfortable wearing the chemo caps with thick seams that irritated her scalp and did little to satisfy her sense of style. So Joyce and three of her devoted friends from the Allen Senior Center -- Jan Goble, Lena Louter and Vivian Denbow -- founded Joyce’s Chemo Cap Project. Using a seamless pattern and with the softest yarn in hand, this small group of ladies so inspired others that groups in five additional states and London, England have begun Joyce’s Chemo Cap Projects. To date they have made over 3,500 caps, all of which are donated free of charge to various hospitals and cancer treatment centers to give to cancer patients who want them.
Joyce tackled her cancer diagnosis with a strength and grace that inspired her family and friends. She loved to travel, loved adventure, but more than anything else, she loved her family.
We will truly miss her.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Joyce’s Chemo Cap Project, 1206 Thoreau Lane, Allen, Texas 75002 and visit www.joyceschemocaps.blogspot.com; or to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, November 8, 2008 in the Chapel at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, with Dan Peeler officiating.
To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com.
She is survived by her sons, John Ameser and life partner Michael Magnia of Plano, Texas; Bill Ameser and life partner Scott Turnbull of Fairview, Texas; daughter, Tracie Burton, husband Tom Burton and grandson Zack Burton of Canton, Michigan; sister, Muriel Bethle of New Castle, Pennsylvania and a host of other family and friends.
In August 2007 after losing her hair for a second time to chemotherapy, Joyce felt uncomfortable wearing the chemo caps with thick seams that irritated her scalp and did little to satisfy her sense of style. So Joyce and three of her devoted friends from the Allen Senior Center -- Jan Goble, Lena Louter and Vivian Denbow -- founded Joyce’s Chemo Cap Project. Using a seamless pattern and with the softest yarn in hand, this small group of ladies so inspired others that groups in five additional states and London, England have begun Joyce’s Chemo Cap Projects. To date they have made over 3,500 caps, all of which are donated free of charge to various hospitals and cancer treatment centers to give to cancer patients who want them.
Joyce tackled her cancer diagnosis with a strength and grace that inspired her family and friends. She loved to travel, loved adventure, but more than anything else, she loved her family.
We will truly miss her.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Joyce’s Chemo Cap Project, 1206 Thoreau Lane, Allen, Texas 75002 and visit www.joyceschemocaps.blogspot.com; or to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, November 8, 2008 in the Chapel at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, with Dan Peeler officiating.
To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Update on Joyce
Joyce has been staying at Bill's house since she was released from the hospital. She was in the hospital for only a few days. She's undergoing treatment now and is in good spirits. Thank you for those who sent cards to her. She was happy to receive them.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Joyce
This is the note we received from Bill regarding the test results for Joyce. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Joyce is such a wonderful person and we love her so much. Our Chemo Cap Project wouldn't have started without Joyce's inspiration to knit and crochet caps for other cancer patient's comfort in their fight against cancer.
We met with both of her oncologists and a pain management doctor yesterday to get the results from her latest MRI, and whether or not her biopsy several weeks ago came back as HER2 negative or positive.
There is good news and bad news.
The bad news.
The biopsy did come back HER2 positive which means the breast cancer has changed and become more aggressive. The drug she was taking that controlled the amount of estrogen she produces will not work when the cancer has changed to this form. This is why it has spread into other areas of the bone and will need to be treated with two types of chemo and radiation. The chemo drugs they will be using are Herceptin and Navelbine. Herceptin will be given during while she is receiving radiation, Navelbine cannot so we will wait until the radiation is complete.
The good news.
They admitted mom into St Paul Hospital yesterday afternoon so that she can get some stronger pain meds and relieve the pain in her lower back/pelvic area. Now that we know the pain is definitely coming from the cancer and not a muscular issue, she can get ahead of the pain curve, come home and be on meds that will treat the pain and not make her out of it in the head like she has been the past week or so. After about a week of radiation. she should see about a 75% reduction in the pain with hopes of pain free in two weeks.
Joyce is out of the hospital and is staying at Bill's house.
We met with both of her oncologists and a pain management doctor yesterday to get the results from her latest MRI, and whether or not her biopsy several weeks ago came back as HER2 negative or positive.
There is good news and bad news.
The bad news.
The biopsy did come back HER2 positive which means the breast cancer has changed and become more aggressive. The drug she was taking that controlled the amount of estrogen she produces will not work when the cancer has changed to this form. This is why it has spread into other areas of the bone and will need to be treated with two types of chemo and radiation. The chemo drugs they will be using are Herceptin and Navelbine. Herceptin will be given during while she is receiving radiation, Navelbine cannot so we will wait until the radiation is complete.
The good news.
They admitted mom into St Paul Hospital yesterday afternoon so that she can get some stronger pain meds and relieve the pain in her lower back/pelvic area. Now that we know the pain is definitely coming from the cancer and not a muscular issue, she can get ahead of the pain curve, come home and be on meds that will treat the pain and not make her out of it in the head like she has been the past week or so. After about a week of radiation. she should see about a 75% reduction in the pain with hopes of pain free in two weeks.
Joyce is out of the hospital and is staying at Bill's house.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Joyce's Chemo Cap Project is now International!!
Here is information that we received today from one of our knitters. We were so happy to hear this:
One of my relatives is a nurse working in an English hospital. I had previously told her about Joyce's ChemoCap program at the Allen Senior Center. She noted that such a program would be of interest in her hospital and that many volunteer ladies would be glad to use their knitting skills on ChemoCaps. With the help of the Senior Center "ChemoCap Girls", ChemoCap photos, knitting instructions and an actual ChemoCap were sent to England.
Well, a ChemoCap program is up and running in England. ChemoCaps have already been donated to users, and it looks like the program will expand.
A portion of my relative's latest letter reads :
".......................I enclose a photo of our ChemoCaps. Sorry to be so slow in producing some finished results, but here they are, and hope they meet with your approval. My "Ladies" have been very enthusiastic and have produced more than the photo shows. The Chemocaps go to the local Cancer Support Group and to the local Hospice..........................."
She also sent warmest regards to "you dear knitters".
Congratulations to all the Girls involved in the Senior Center program. It appears that an extraordinary, wonderful idea is going to be an international success.
One of my relatives is a nurse working in an English hospital. I had previously told her about Joyce's ChemoCap program at the Allen Senior Center. She noted that such a program would be of interest in her hospital and that many volunteer ladies would be glad to use their knitting skills on ChemoCaps. With the help of the Senior Center "ChemoCap Girls", ChemoCap photos, knitting instructions and an actual ChemoCap were sent to England.
Well, a ChemoCap program is up and running in England. ChemoCaps have already been donated to users, and it looks like the program will expand.
A portion of my relative's latest letter reads :
".......................I enclose a photo of our ChemoCaps. Sorry to be so slow in producing some finished results, but here they are, and hope they meet with your approval. My "Ladies" have been very enthusiastic and have produced more than the photo shows. The Chemocaps go to the local Cancer Support Group and to the local Hospice..........................."
She also sent warmest regards to "you dear knitters".
Congratulations to all the Girls involved in the Senior Center program. It appears that an extraordinary, wonderful idea is going to be an international success.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Note from Bill regarding Joyce
As some of you know, Mom tested anemic and had a blood transfusion on Sept. 25th and has slowly recovered from a month or two of total exhaustion and basically feeling like crap. She is really unbelievable considering she felt that bad, and she still endured a week of six different doctor appointments, some of the days running 8 hrs straight and more tests than you could imagine.
Mom had biopsies on September 30th on one area of the scalp and one lesion under each arm. We met with Dr. Schiller, her oncologist, on Monday to receive the results. All three areas were positive for breast cancer, which was not unexpected since the dermatologist suspected they would come back as such. Apparently in about 25% of breast cancer patients the lesions Mom has can appear on the outside of the skin. These areas include under the arms, the chest area, and the pelvis and, more rarely, on the scalp.
Now we are waiting to see if these areas come back as hormone positive, which is what her previous breast cancer has been. If it does come back hormone positive, she will switch from her current cancer-fighting drug, “Tomoxafin,” to a stronger drug in the same class; if it does not come back positive, she will, once again, undergo chemo. Please everyone say a prayer that it’s hormone positive.
Yesterday they took x-rays of her lower back to find out what is causing the pain she has in this area and her thighs. Today a complete bone scan is being performed to check for any other spread of the cancer.
We will be meeting Dr. Schiller on Monday the 13th to review the scans and, if the results are back by then, find out what the biopsies showed.
Mom had biopsies on September 30th on one area of the scalp and one lesion under each arm. We met with Dr. Schiller, her oncologist, on Monday to receive the results. All three areas were positive for breast cancer, which was not unexpected since the dermatologist suspected they would come back as such. Apparently in about 25% of breast cancer patients the lesions Mom has can appear on the outside of the skin. These areas include under the arms, the chest area, and the pelvis and, more rarely, on the scalp.
Now we are waiting to see if these areas come back as hormone positive, which is what her previous breast cancer has been. If it does come back hormone positive, she will switch from her current cancer-fighting drug, “Tomoxafin,” to a stronger drug in the same class; if it does not come back positive, she will, once again, undergo chemo. Please everyone say a prayer that it’s hormone positive.
Yesterday they took x-rays of her lower back to find out what is causing the pain she has in this area and her thighs. Today a complete bone scan is being performed to check for any other spread of the cancer.
We will be meeting Dr. Schiller on Monday the 13th to review the scans and, if the results are back by then, find out what the biopsies showed.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
National Mammography Day is October 17.
For more than 20 years, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) has educated women about early breast cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment. This year, NBCAM is again reaching out to women with several key messages, most notably, the importance of early detection through annual mammography screening for women over 40. Mammography screenings are a woman's best chance for detecting breast cancer early. When coupled with new treatment options, mammography screenings can significantly improve a woman's chances of survival.
The third Friday in October each year is National Mammography Day, first proclaimed by President Clinton in 1993. On this day, or throughout the month, women are encouraged to make a mammography appointment. In 2008, National Mammography Day will be celebrated on October 17.
The third Friday in October each year is National Mammography Day, first proclaimed by President Clinton in 1993. On this day, or throughout the month, women are encouraged to make a mammography appointment. In 2008, National Mammography Day will be celebrated on October 17.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Joyce's Chemo Cap Project goes to Pennsylvania!
We now officially have a branch of the Joyce's Chemo Cap Project in Pennsylvania.
Here is the article that was printed in the Lawrence County Newsletter in Pennsylvania:
If you click on the picture, you will be able to read the article.
Note received from Bill, Joyce's son
First I want to thank you and everyone who is and was involved in setting up the blog, outstanding job!
As some of you know Joyce ( my mother) hasn't been feeling very well over the past month or two. We received a call from her oncologist at U.T. Southwestern on 9/25 letting us know her blood counts were very low and she would need to come in for a blood transfusion (2 pints) the next day. Because the effects chemo has on red blood cells, It's not at all unusual to need a transfusions to raise the cell count back up. Normally this would have been caught a month sooner but because of some mix ups at the lab, her low blood count was overlooked and she and I are relieved. We saw many doctors last week for various things, some cancer related and others just routine. One of those was to a dermatologist to look at two small liaisons that have developed under her arms (one under each), and while we were there had them check the red spot on her head. They feel these all maybe from the breast cancer and after we get conformation from the results this week she will need to have the liaisons removed, the spot on the head will be treated with radiation. I had no idea breast cancer could appear on the outside of the skin but my sister Tracie said her oncologist told her to " always look for anything unusual appearing on the skin especially under the arms or pelvic area" this apparently is where breast cancer can show up. I'll keep everyone posted. I also dropped off 25 caps at U.T. after noticing they were down to 4. Keep em coming gang! Bill
Bill Ameser ABR GRI www.homesoftexas.com"D" Magazine Best RealtorWilliam Davis Realty
As some of you know Joyce ( my mother) hasn't been feeling very well over the past month or two. We received a call from her oncologist at U.T. Southwestern on 9/25 letting us know her blood counts were very low and she would need to come in for a blood transfusion (2 pints) the next day. Because the effects chemo has on red blood cells, It's not at all unusual to need a transfusions to raise the cell count back up. Normally this would have been caught a month sooner but because of some mix ups at the lab, her low blood count was overlooked and she and I are relieved. We saw many doctors last week for various things, some cancer related and others just routine. One of those was to a dermatologist to look at two small liaisons that have developed under her arms (one under each), and while we were there had them check the red spot on her head. They feel these all maybe from the breast cancer and after we get conformation from the results this week she will need to have the liaisons removed, the spot on the head will be treated with radiation. I had no idea breast cancer could appear on the outside of the skin but my sister Tracie said her oncologist told her to " always look for anything unusual appearing on the skin especially under the arms or pelvic area" this apparently is where breast cancer can show up. I'll keep everyone posted. I also dropped off 25 caps at U.T. after noticing they were down to 4. Keep em coming gang! Bill
Bill Ameser ABR GRI www.homesoftexas.com"D" Magazine Best RealtorWilliam Davis Realty
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
If you have something to share, please do.
If you are going through treatment or have a friend or just want to encourage someone, please email it to us. We will only use your name if you request it. What one person goes through or has gone through may help someone else that is going through the same thing and needs a little encouragement. You can send it to us at chemocaps@yahoo.com.
Note received from one of our 'cappers'
We received this note from Dawn today:
Thank you and the Allen Seniors for the cap. I got a new one today while at the North Texas Regional Cancer Center to match a couple of pair of my pajamas.
I had another one which I still use and has withstood many washings.
Your time and effort is greatly appreciated by those of us who have little or a lot less of the hair we used to have!
I replied and asked her if it was ok to put her thank you on our blog. This is the response that we got from Dawn.
Perhaps my cancer experience would be helpful to others. I was diagnosed with stage 4, an inoperable tumor, lung cancer (I am a non-smoker) in the fall of 2004. I have been on 3 different sets of drugs, each has worked very well up to a point and the side effects have been manageable and allowed me to live a ‘normal’ life. I have the side effects but they have not been devastating as they are with many people. The tumor has been reduced significantly over this period of time. Earlier this year, in March, the side effects were more than I could tolerate and my doctor decided to give me time to recover. The tumor has been stable so I am still off chemo and I am feeling so much better and will have tests and learn more the first part of November.
God has blessed me through every part of this journey and I am walk daily hand in hand with my Healer. I hope I can encourage others to know that God is in control and wants the best for you. I also have many friends and relatives who care and are always there and I Praise God for them and His guidance.
Dawn
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Dawn. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I know it will help someone else that is going through the same thing you are and will help others that have a loved one or friend that needs encouragement.
Thank you and the Allen Seniors for the cap. I got a new one today while at the North Texas Regional Cancer Center to match a couple of pair of my pajamas.
I had another one which I still use and has withstood many washings.
Your time and effort is greatly appreciated by those of us who have little or a lot less of the hair we used to have!
I replied and asked her if it was ok to put her thank you on our blog. This is the response that we got from Dawn.
Perhaps my cancer experience would be helpful to others. I was diagnosed with stage 4, an inoperable tumor, lung cancer (I am a non-smoker) in the fall of 2004. I have been on 3 different sets of drugs, each has worked very well up to a point and the side effects have been manageable and allowed me to live a ‘normal’ life. I have the side effects but they have not been devastating as they are with many people. The tumor has been reduced significantly over this period of time. Earlier this year, in March, the side effects were more than I could tolerate and my doctor decided to give me time to recover. The tumor has been stable so I am still off chemo and I am feeling so much better and will have tests and learn more the first part of November.
God has blessed me through every part of this journey and I am walk daily hand in hand with my Healer. I hope I can encourage others to know that God is in control and wants the best for you. I also have many friends and relatives who care and are always there and I Praise God for them and His guidance.
Dawn
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Dawn. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I know it will help someone else that is going through the same thing you are and will help others that have a loved one or friend that needs encouragement.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Ribbons of Many Colors
The pink ribbon for breast cancer is probably the most worn ribbon for the support of cancer survivors and cancer patients. Did you know that there are other colors representing other forms of cancer? Here is a chart of the ribbons. If you click on the picture, it will get bigger so you can see which ribbon represents the types of cancer.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Happy Birthday, Vivian
A special birthday to Vivian on September 16. She is currently on a cruise with her mother to Spain, Italy, France and England. We hope she's enjoying the trip. We sure miss her here. She's the glue that keeps things together in our project.
Cap Deliveries
Monday, Sept 14, we delivered 75 caps to the Texas Oncology Center and today, Wednesday, we delivered 75 more to the Baylor Medical Center. We're working on winter caps now and Halloween caps. It'll soon be time to start knitting Christmas caps.
Thanks to all that are knitting the caps making it possible to give them to those that need them.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
WANTED!!!!!!
Knitters and crocheters! If you like to knit or crochet and would like to make caps for our project, we welcome new people!! We'd love to have you join us. No regular meetings, you can make your caps while watching TV or waiting in a waiting room for an appointment. We have the patterns. If you don't knit or crochet but know someone who does, let them know of our work. (I should say 'fun'.) Our email address is:chemocaps@yahoo.com.
And tell others of this blog. Thanks to all of our knitters and crocheters. Next week we're making a delivery of caps that are going to put a lot of smiles on the faces of those that need a smile. And we can be proud that we helped them smile.
And tell others of this blog. Thanks to all of our knitters and crocheters. Next week we're making a delivery of caps that are going to put a lot of smiles on the faces of those that need a smile. And we can be proud that we helped them smile.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
New Knitter
We want to welcome our newest knitter, Jesse. She joined us on Monday and brought us her first cap on Wednesday. Welcome Jesse!!!
Buttons
Aren't our buttons pretty? They were sent to Matthew from all over the United States. They are like frosting on our caps.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
We have buttons for our caps
Matthew joined us today along with his lovely wife, Joanna. We enjoyed their company at the center. He brought us a whole lot of buttons for our caps and a lot of yarn too!! Lena, Jerri and I were having a good time picking out buttons and sewing them on the caps. You can see the caps in the sideshow of caps. Here are pictures that we took today. Matthew drew the name for our winner of the lapgan that Mary made and donated to our project. The winner is Joy Dover. I'm sure she's going to love it. These are pictures of all of us at the center today. One of Matthew and Jerri, his mother. Another of Matthew and Joanna.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Trade Fair At Parkview
We had a first booth at a trade fair today at the Parkview Senior Apartments to show our caps and tell others what we are doing with our project. Bob, Vivian, Maria, Mary, Lena, Jerri and Jan worked at the fair. We met a lot of people that were interested in our project. We hope that others will want to join our group by knitting or crocheting. We received a couple of very nice donations from other venders. And we had a raffle of a beautiful lapgan that Mary made out of the leftover yard used to make our caps. The money from the raffle and donations will buy a lot of yarn for more caps. And we found out a few more places that we can take our caps to give to cancer patients. Now we need more knitters and crocheters. Maybe with fall approaching, there will be more wanting to help us. Thank you everyone for participating and for the donations.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
One year anniversary
August 1, 2008 marked one year of our Chemo Cap Project. It started by Joyce's comment that she wishes she had something to put on her head when she slept because her head hurt because she lost her hair. Now there are more than 20 people knitting and crocheting our caps, not counting the people that visited us and went back to their home states and started to knit caps too. In our group, we have completed and given out more than 2500 caps in this one year.
And the friendships that have started from this project is amazing. The people that we've met at the chemo infusion centers, the 'cappers' that we've met when we delivered the caps, and the relatives of the 'cappers' that have written to us to tell us how happy the caps have made them. When someone tells us "God Bless You", it warms your hearts and you think that there can't be anything more to make you feel good about what you're doing. Then we'll get a letter from someone thanking us for making their life just a little bit easier. Someone comes along and tells us that they want to help us in our project by donations. It doesn't matter if the donations were large or small or even a skein of yarn. It came from their hearts. One ball of yarn is like a loaf of bread that filled the basket to feed the people.
In essence, our project is made up of knitters, crocheters, supporters and the people who need our caps. And when someone says "God Bless You for what you are doing", the blessing goes to everyone involved.
So we start our second year. And to repeat what was said when we were asked how long we were going to make caps: "When cancer is defeated and there is no need for caps, then we will go on to another project".
And the friendships that have started from this project is amazing. The people that we've met at the chemo infusion centers, the 'cappers' that we've met when we delivered the caps, and the relatives of the 'cappers' that have written to us to tell us how happy the caps have made them. When someone tells us "God Bless You", it warms your hearts and you think that there can't be anything more to make you feel good about what you're doing. Then we'll get a letter from someone thanking us for making their life just a little bit easier. Someone comes along and tells us that they want to help us in our project by donations. It doesn't matter if the donations were large or small or even a skein of yarn. It came from their hearts. One ball of yarn is like a loaf of bread that filled the basket to feed the people.
In essence, our project is made up of knitters, crocheters, supporters and the people who need our caps. And when someone says "God Bless You for what you are doing", the blessing goes to everyone involved.
So we start our second year. And to repeat what was said when we were asked how long we were going to make caps: "When cancer is defeated and there is no need for caps, then we will go on to another project".
Note from one of our "Happy Cappers"
It is so endearing when we receive a note from one of the people who receive our caps. We call them 'Happy Cappers' in our scrapebook. It makes everything we do worthwhile and we feel so good to know that our caps are enjoyed and helpful. Here is a note that we received today in our email. It brought tears to our eyes!
I wanted to take time to type this email to tell you how much joy your box of hats has brought me. Every time I'm in chemo, one of my highpoints, is looking at all the beautiful hats you wonderful ladies have made. I have 3 now that I LOVE. I wear them all evening and at night. They are so comfortable. I know you thought this would be a small gesture, but I'm here to tell you, it is much more than that. It brings love, caring, and giving to strangers in a time of such deep illness a smile, a comfy cap to nurture them, and a smile at the giving of such beautiful women! It is especially special to me, because I can still see my mom Knitting slippers and afghans and I would always wear the Knitted slippers when I was ill for some reason, they always brought me such comfort. Mom died 20 years ago and I still wear the one pair I have left all tattered and worn that my mom made. So I find your hats so nurturing and loving and know the size of the hearts they come from.
Wanted you to know I (we) are eternally grateful!
Much Love and HUGE HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Nancy C
I wanted to take time to type this email to tell you how much joy your box of hats has brought me. Every time I'm in chemo, one of my highpoints, is looking at all the beautiful hats you wonderful ladies have made. I have 3 now that I LOVE. I wear them all evening and at night. They are so comfortable. I know you thought this would be a small gesture, but I'm here to tell you, it is much more than that. It brings love, caring, and giving to strangers in a time of such deep illness a smile, a comfy cap to nurture them, and a smile at the giving of such beautiful women! It is especially special to me, because I can still see my mom Knitting slippers and afghans and I would always wear the Knitted slippers when I was ill for some reason, they always brought me such comfort. Mom died 20 years ago and I still wear the one pair I have left all tattered and worn that my mom made. So I find your hats so nurturing and loving and know the size of the hearts they come from.
Wanted you to know I (we) are eternally grateful!
Much Love and HUGE HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Nancy C
Friday, August 1, 2008
What a great person to do this for us!!!
This is a note that we received from a son of one of our knitters, Jerri. We got goosebumps when we read it. We're finding out every day what wonderful people there are in this world!!!
My name is Matthew Nix. My mother has helped with some of the cancer caps. My mother is Jerri Nix. She had called me and asked me if I had any buttons to help decorate your caps. I have several people from all over the world sending me buttons and some donated yarn. I will be driving down Aug 16th-19th to visit my mom and drop off all the donations. I will also be setting up a page on my website dedicated to your efforts. I so far have over 12,000 buttons to donate. Since I'm a jewelry artist... I will be using some of the buttons to make some nice looking wire wrap button pendants. I want to donate 100% of these pendant sales to get you ladies more and FREE yarn to continue what you love doing. I think it's great that you guys think of others and put so much time and effort into it. I would like to meet you when I come down to Allen in August. I will try to help as much as possible.
You can see Matthew's wonderful website and his beautiful artwork at:
www.createapendant.com
My name is Matthew Nix. My mother has helped with some of the cancer caps. My mother is Jerri Nix. She had called me and asked me if I had any buttons to help decorate your caps. I have several people from all over the world sending me buttons and some donated yarn. I will be driving down Aug 16th-19th to visit my mom and drop off all the donations. I will also be setting up a page on my website dedicated to your efforts. I so far have over 12,000 buttons to donate. Since I'm a jewelry artist... I will be using some of the buttons to make some nice looking wire wrap button pendants. I want to donate 100% of these pendant sales to get you ladies more and FREE yarn to continue what you love doing. I think it's great that you guys think of others and put so much time and effort into it. I would like to meet you when I come down to Allen in August. I will try to help as much as possible.
You can see Matthew's wonderful website and his beautiful artwork at:
www.createapendant.com
Friday, July 11, 2008
A knitters/crocheter tool box
It seems like a lot of great knitters making our great caps don't have a 'tool box'. Vivian, Mary, Lena, and Jan carry theirs with them all the time. Well, today we decided to show everyone what our tool boxes consist of. Then everyone will know what to add to their toolbox when they decide to make one. We love y'all.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
New lady on our team
Yes, we have a new lady on our team. Her name is Sally. She doesn't have much of a personality or looks but she sure is a help to us. She's going to show you some of the caps we've been making. She showed us a better way to show off our caps. We'd love to have more knitters, by the way. So, how do you like our caps and our new model, Sally?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
We are so busy
I can't believe it has been two months since we last wrote in the blog. We have been so busy making caps and delivering them. We delivered 125 caps last week to Baylor and Texas Oncology in Plano. As usual they were so happy to get the caps. We were privileged to go to the Infusion center at Baylor Hospital to witness some of the patients going through our new caps. Jackie, the administrator, told us that it is the highlight of their day while getting chemo to look and choose a cap.
To date, we have made more than 2500 caps and it hasn't even been a year yet.
We have met so many wonderful people from this project. We have new knitters and crocheters and we are thrilled when they bring the caps to us. You can see the pride in their smiles when they give us the caps. Today, there were many caps brought into the center to us. Sure makes our hearts warm.
And the variety is really something. Everyone wants to make different caps and as long as they are made of soft yarn, we love them all. You couldn't find prettier caps in a department store. We have a lot of red, white and blue caps for the 4th of July. Those with cancer cannot be thought of as someone who must stop everything to let cancer take over their lives. They are just like everyone else, wanting to celebrate holidays, looking forward to happy times and not dwelling on their illnesses. And we feel so happy that we can help them in their efforts. Cancer affects everyone. We can't forget that!
To date, we have made more than 2500 caps and it hasn't even been a year yet.
We have met so many wonderful people from this project. We have new knitters and crocheters and we are thrilled when they bring the caps to us. You can see the pride in their smiles when they give us the caps. Today, there were many caps brought into the center to us. Sure makes our hearts warm.
And the variety is really something. Everyone wants to make different caps and as long as they are made of soft yarn, we love them all. You couldn't find prettier caps in a department store. We have a lot of red, white and blue caps for the 4th of July. Those with cancer cannot be thought of as someone who must stop everything to let cancer take over their lives. They are just like everyone else, wanting to celebrate holidays, looking forward to happy times and not dwelling on their illnesses. And we feel so happy that we can help them in their efforts. Cancer affects everyone. We can't forget that!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Such wonderful people at Baylor
Vivian, Lena, Joyce and Jan went to the Baylor Regional Medical Center today, Thursday, April 24. What a wonderful place and the people are sooooo nice. We met Gigi Steele, who is a retired nurse who volunteers her time at the cancer unit. What a wonderful person. She's the kind of nurse that you would look forward to seeing come into your room if you were in the hospital. She would just brighten your day. And Robin Jacks is in charge of Guest Services. When she saw us, her eyes lit up. She told us how everyone just loves our caps and is all the talk around the chemo center. She is such a nice person, really friendly. We were so happy to be there. We took 50 caps for them to give to patients this time. The caps will last them a little while until we can get more caps made. We sat with Gigi for quite awhile (her day off from volunteering) and had such a good time with serious talk, fun talk and girl talk! The thing that we didn't expect out of our project is all the wonderful people that we are meeting along the way. It seems as if everyone that works there is nice. We didn't get to meet all of them but, if Robin and Gigi are examples of the staff that works there, we are impressed.
There are many nice people in the world, aren't there?
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