As we all worried about how I was doing...just having finished chemo, 3 surgeries and radiation therapy...we unexpectedly lost my 59 year old brother. Who would have thought two years could hold SO much loss! My brother Anthony, Lou, Pam, Brandon, Cliff and Aunt Jackie! And how many NEWLY diagnosed people...brought to this "club"...I know SO many.
But, there is SO much HOPE!
I had the opportunity to see MANY of those with HOPE!
As I mentioned in my last blog, Deana, Agi and I traveled to Connecticut to join many of my friends and family for a Breast Cancer Awareness photo shoot. Many wonderful people came out...please check out our pictures here on our website! I was privledged to meet several survivors. Two sisters, both survivors, brought their family and each of them wore beautiful hand made scarves with pink hearts and ribbons. I was touched when they came up to me said they wanted me to have one! I will cherish it always and wear it often!
I was blessed to have many of my friends and family join me on this event! One person in particular I had not seen in over 38 years! He and his sister were part of my high school circle of friends. Rich was always special to me, always held a special place in my heart. Now, unfortunatly, he joins many of us in a NEW circle...our "club". I am so sorry to have THIS in common with Rich and sorry that is took CANCER to bring us back together! I promise to be here for Rich and his family in what ever way they need me! I plan to not to let so much time go by again! Rich and his sister, Sharon, hope to attend our next fund raiser out here in NJ!! I can't wait for you all to meet them! I guess you always have to look at the positive that comes from negative things...
Saturday evening took us to a local bar and a mini high school reunion. I want to thank all my "long ago" friends who came out to make the weekend complete! I am blessed to have so many people who care enough to take time from their busy lives to spend some time with old friends! Can't wait to do it again soon!
The weekend was only made better by the fact that is was shared with my family, SIL Sue, Jodi, Peggy, Jeanna, Cameron, Lisa, Anthony, Little Anthony, Vanessa and all the others that made it a point to take some time to share with us! THANK YOU!! Know that it means everything to me!
The excitement continued this weekend when my life long friend, Billy, came to NJ so we could all attend the Rutgers/UCONN football game! Bill is a die-hard UCONN fan and, of course, we have to be Rutgers fans! Christian, Nia Len and I joined Bill in watching Rutgers beat UCONN! The weather was great and the company even better! We came home, rested a bit and then I made homemeade pizza. Anyone who has ever been lucky enough to join us for one of those nights knows that I don't just make a pizza or 2...I think I made 9! I was thrilled that Bill enjoyed the pizza and the company! It was a great night...but the weekend had to end and we took Bill to the train on Sunday morning. Hopefully he will be back for Thanksgiving. Not too many people are lucky enough to have some one in their lives that has known them for more then 50 years! As I have said, I am SO BLESSED!
So now I come back refreshed and excited to get busy planning our next fund raisers. We are looking for a place to hold our OWN Cancer Awareness Photo Shoot. If anyone has any ideas, please let us know. We are looking for a place that has inside accomodations so we can so this sooner then spring. We met with one of our local schools today to discuss some fund raising ideas that Christian has. They are onboard and we are moving forward. These school fund raisers will be something Christian and his friends can help run. The kids are very excited!
So, as I said, THERE IS HOPE! And hope is what we have to focus on. Everyday that we can call ourselves "SURVIVORS" is another day we are blessed to share it with those we love!
Over the next couple of weeks we will be looking for people to help us with the planning of our new year of fund raisers. Please consider joining us on our quest to ease the pain caused by this SO unfair disease! We will continue to seek out those people that need our help and share what we can with them...the only way we know how...day by day!
Thank you for your continued support and prayers! Please know that it means the world to many of us! Please feel free to leave messages here...they are always appreciated!