3 Day Breast Cancer Walk!

14 years ago when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer for the 1st time, my family participated in the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Race. Jeff and I decided that we should do that for a couple of reasons, One... because it was a Cause that we now dealing with, and we wanted to be a part of helping to find a cure. Second... because our kids were still young, and we wanted to show them how many other families were dealing with this disease. We wanted them to feel the power of so many people getting together and DOING something, not burying their heads and hoping it would go away. It was a great experience.
Today as I was going to do some errands, I saw all these PINK shirts and outfits on people as they were walking. I realized it was the Susan Komen 3 Day Cancer Walk ( how I wished I could have gone home and put something PINK on!
 I honked and waved at each one with tears in my eyes. How grateful I was to them for making a difference, for trying to help and honor all of us that have battled Breast Cancer. Silently I said a prayer of thanks for each of them!
Then when I was out I got a call from a friend of mine that I met on my way to Austin. She and I sat beside of each other on the airplane ride and almost before it took off...were Best Friends. We found out that we both were survivors of Cancer and many other trials in life. What an honor it was to sit and get to know her and her son on that long flight to Austin. Sure made the time fly by faster!
Anyway, she was at the Race as one of the Cheering Sections, and wondered if we could get together. I immediately went to see her ( only 10 mins away from where I was at the time)! What a wonderful and unexpected treat! It totally made my day!

I was grateful to stop what I was doing... to cheer on these amazing people, and to say Thanks personally to them.

 It was neat and then to spend some time with my NEW DEAR FRIEND, was icing on the cake!
I am truly blessed!

Watch why so many do this 3 Day walk HERE:

Good Night dear friends!

Quotes and why I love them...

I found this quote, about quotes today and it fit perfectly!

  "A quote can change the way you think about challenges you face."
-- Catherine Pulsifer

That is exactly why I love quotes, in just a few words, they can make a difference. Even when I have had a bad day I try to talk about it honestly, I know that I can't be the only one who is having a Bigger Than Me Day (that's what I call them). But you can always be assured at the end of my post for each day, there will always be a few inspirational quotes. I love them! They do change how I think and feel.

Today was a great day because I was able to spend it with my Sister-in-law, who is visiting from out of town. She only has one more day here, so I am trying to rest so that we can get the most out of tomorrow. There have been  so many days I couldn't  get to go out and about, because of my health (or lack there of) and so today I felt so incredibly blessed to be able to go out and do some shopping and visiting. I am so grateful for this time we got to spend together. Yes, counting your blessings...  is a good thing!

P.S. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I was asked to be sponsored on this blog site of another survivor, here is the blog site if you would like to check it out!

http://www.reallyincrediblewomen.blogspot.com/

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."  ~World Health Organization, 1948

"If you have health, you probably will be happy, and if you have health and happiness, you have all the wealth you need, even if it is not all you want."  ~Elbert Hubbard

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."

How to keep our business growing?

Many of you know that since my cancer I have developed a line of gifts (with a dear friend of mine) that have helped me be more comfortable, heal or just make me feel better. They started out as just a way to survive my mastectomy and radiation side effects. Then one night I thought, why couldn't these gifts be available to other survivors. They must have some of the same hurdles that I am having in my healing process. Then of course as you know, I LOVE QUOTES...they inspire me, and so we decided to put an inspiration quote on each gift. With each process in my healing, I seemed to think of something else that I needed or could use that would make the process more comfortable.

One long and painful night, I realized that I was only thinking of Breast Cancer patients, because that is the fight I was battling. But what about other cancers (there are so many different ones out there), what about children that have to fight this terrible battle? What could we do to help ease their pain or at least take them to a place in their imaginations... that would help them be more brave? The ideas started really clicking, and I could hardly wait till morning to call my dear friend who was helping me with this dream.

I first started showing the gifts and selling them to the nurses and workers at the hospital. It was such a success that I decided to take them to the Gift Store, to see if they would start carrying them. They chose 6 out of 21 of our gifts and we were thrilled. Then with them being in the gift store we had a better chance of the cancer patients being able to get them. We had our BIG introduction of our products on June 4th at Evergreen Hospital. It went really well and we sold quite a bit. More important we were able to share our thoughts and hopes for the products and the patients that they could help. We were able to explain the name RECNAC to everyone and introduce our LOGO that my son designed. It was a neat experience and one that we hope will continue to grow.

My question to all of you is this.... Do any of you have any tips on beginning a business? Do any of you know how I find someone to help invest in a business?  I have very limited resources and energy, but I don't want to give up this dream. If you have the time or information, will you email me and let me know your suggestions? My email address is

 learningfromlynn@gmail.com

I realize that I also need to do my homework ...like know how far I want to go with this business. The hard part is my energy and remembering, to do the things that feed me good energy! When I think about the business part, papers, money that isn't the best energy! But when I think about the patient (survivor), the selling, the designing and making it available and affordable to everyone that is battling with this terrible disease of cancer then ...........that is GOOD (GREAT) ENERGY for me! But I don't do the sewing, which is how each gift gets made and I have to respect that my dear friend can only do so much. Yet,the business has been great for her and her family. That is where we are, a little bit in limbo but... remember I will take ANY IDEAS or SUGGESTIONS.

Thanks for your support, hopefully I will have photos for you soon on my web site, so you can actually see what I am talking about  www.recnacgifts.com 

"Whatever we expect with confidence becomes our own self-fulfilling prophecy"  ~ Brian Tracy

"The victory of success is half won when one gains the habit of setting goals and achieving them. Even the most tedious chore will become endurable as you parade through each day convinced that every task, no matter how menial or boring, brings you closer to fulfilling your dreams."   ~Og Mandino

 

 

Rough day!

I went in for my Physical Therapy at 9:00 this morning. For some reason the swelling has gotten worse. I am not sure why? I didn't lift anything the last couple of days so I am not sure why it is hurting this much. My Physical Therapist was as puzzled as I was. She is going to talk to the oncologist tomorrow and see if he knows why the swelling keeps coming back, so we have an appointment on Friday. She also is looking into getting a compression sleeve that also has a compression piece for the chest wall. The down fall is that it will have to be done once a day for an hour or so. I just smiled when she said that,because I already have a couple hours worth of stuff that I am suppose to be doing to help this poor old body every day, why not an another thing to do on! :) Pretty soon as soon as I get up and do all the exercises, massages and etc, then it will be time to do the ones that I need to help me go to sleep. I have got to try to have more of an exciting life. I know all of you envy me but...DON'T !

In all seriousness, I am sure things will work out. I was able to go to some of Lee's baseball game today and it was sunny outside too, that was a double blessing. I can't forget to count all of them. I found a quote today that went right along with my baseball theme. "PROGRESS ALWAYS INVOLVES RISKS. YOU CAN'T STEAL SECOND BASE AND KEEP YOUR FOOT ON FIRST" ~ Frederick Wilex

So I need to remember that... compared to 9 months ago, I have made great progress. I can go out in public and not feel so self conscious about my looks, I can enjoy some normal thoughts with out every one being bombarded with a new fear. I am starting to dream...just a little bit...but I am dreaming again. I am being able to serve a bit more and that feels wonderful. I am growing in ways that I am sure I never would, had I not experienced this trial. It has been worth the risk to make it to second base (beating cancer for a second time). I will keep trying, keep believing that life will get better and most importantly...trust in the Lord and in His timing and in His plans for me. Patience, not an easy virtue!

Thanks for being my cheering section, it means more than you will ever know! Good night!

"Things could be worse. Suppose your errors were counted and published every day, like those of a baseball player." ~Author Unknown

The red balloon!

Today is Saturday, and all day I have been very tired. Maybe that big day at the hospital was more than I should have tried? I really felt right about it though, some days are like that...I just have to pay quite a few days when I do something that big. I spent the morning with Amy, it was fun being with her again. I had missed being with the kids while I was gone. We went shopping for material for the baby's room (Jenny's room). Actually she and Angie will have to share, but still we need to get her bedding and blankets made. Afterwards I had to come home and go to bed for a couple of hours and then Amy and I started helping Lauren get ready for Prom. She and a bunch of friends are all going together this year. It is hard to imagine that she will be graduating this week.

It doesn't seem that long ago that Lauren was the fired up little toddler, who could never stop from getting into trouble. Oh I worried how I was going to raise such a tough little spirit and look at her now. She is all grown up and beautiful on the inside and the out. She knows who she is and has a 1000 dreams and plans for the future.

I missed my mom today and our family who is out of town. It is always during these SPECIAL MOMENTS in your life that you want family and friends to be there to share them with. Brad and Krystal are in Idaho going to school and the rest of our family is spread out. Mom, has been gone for almost 9 years now. I remember how funny and crazy she thought Lauren was, wouldn't she love to see her now? I hope she can. I truly feel like she isn't that far away. When she first passed away, I continued to email her every day. I know that sounds crazy but it was very therapeutic. I am not sure why I stopped?

So tonight, I guess maybe because I don't feel very well or ...just because I am missing my family right now... that I would like to share with you a sweet story that I found. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Good night

BENNY'S BALLOON

BENNY WAS SEVENTY WHEN HE DIED RATHER SUDDENLY OF CANCER IN WILMETTE, ILLINOIS. BECAUSE HIS TEN-YEAR-OLD GRANDDAUGHTER NEVER GOT THE CHANCE TO SAY GOOD-BYE, SHE CRIED FOR DAYS. BUT AFTER RECEIVING A BIG RED BALLOON AT A BIRTHDAY PARTY, SHE CAME HOME WITH AN IDEA---A LETTER TO GRANDPA BENNY, AIR-MAILED TO HEAVEN IN HER BALLOON.

RACHEL'S MOTHER DIDN'T HAVE THE HEART TO SAY NO, AND SHE WATCHED WITH TEARS IN HER EYES AS THE FRAGILE BALLOON BUMPED ITS WAY OVER THE TREES THAT LINED THE YARD AND DISAPPEARED.

TWO MONTHS LATER, RACHEL RECEIVED THIS LETTER POSTMARKED FROM A TOWN SIX HUNDRED MILES AWAY IN PENNSYLVANIA:

DEAR RACHEL,

YOUR LETTER TO GRANDPA BENNY REACHED HIM. HE REALLY APPRECIATED IT. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT MATERIAL THINGS CAN'T BE KEPT IN HEAVEN, SO THEY HAD TO SEND THE BALLOON BACKT TO EARTH--THEY JSUT KEEP THOUGHTS, MEMORIES, LOVE AND THINGS LIKE THAT IN HEAVEN.

RACHEL, WHENEVER YOU THINK ABOUT GRANDPA BENNY, HE KNOWS, AND IS VERY CLOSE BY WITH OVERWHELMING LOVE FOR YOU.

SINCERELY, BOB ANDERSON (ALSO A GRANDPA)

~Michael Cody

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." ~ Henry David Throreau

"Mourning is not the end of the relationship.
Our love for them does not die with them."