myFriend Kayle...part II

Kayle, pictured here, is 30, flirty, and thriving...with breast cancer. I make this little play on a pop phrase because my mom often said she thought "cancer survivor" should be replaced by the more uplifting and telling phrase "cancer thriver." Kayle, actually 31 now, is indeed doing all she can to thrive through this experience, learning, growing, healing her heart, body, and soul.

If you would like to help Kayle as she forges through her battle with cancer you can visit the Help Kayle Martin Survive Breast Cancer website. Her friend, Nathan, has rallied behind her journey, stirring up support and help to get her through. Kayle's humble response is nonetheless overwhelmed with gratitude and amazement for the support she has received. It was hard for her to ask for help so her friends are asking for her.

myFriend: Crazy Sexy Cancer Cowgirl Kayle

I've known Kayle since grade school and when I'd heard she was facing breast cancer we reconnected in the middle of her journey. Most of us have a "cancer story." Most of us pray, hope, wish, meditate that we will not have an intimate encounter with cancer on which to base our story. Kayle was gracious enough to help launch a project I've envisioned since I lost my mom to breast cancer. She shared her story, she shared her face, she shared her outlook. She recently commented to me "I'm not adventurous as I may seem," but her perspective is contrary. Kayle is a Crazy Sexy Cancer Cowgirl!

myDailyBlessings

About six months before my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer she began a journal in which she wrote down at least 5 things she found good in that day. This proved especially helpful as she pursued surgery and cancer treatments that wore her out and taxed her emotionally. Every day she would write a brief entry in what she called her Grateful Journal.

It's very easy to journal about things that are difficult or challenging, but looking back I am inspired by my mom's Grateful Journal. Instead of reading about all the hard and bad things in her life at that time, I enjoy reading the blessings she counted. Her list of blessings help her remember that there is always something to be thankful for.

Today my mom's blessings remind me to count the good in my life, especially when the bad is easier to see. Try changing your perspective by beginning a Grateful Journal of your own.

Here are my blessings today:

1. My puppy let me sleep in today
2. I took a good walk with my puppy and it wasn't too hot
3. Enjoying blogging as a new outlet and excuse to learn
4. Water is back on! :)
5. It's getting dark earlier and cool at night.

What are your blessings?

A Special Note:

It's hard to commemorate a day in history that many wish never happened, but today, on September 11th, a Tuesday, I honor those military and safety service men and woman who have served and given their life to defend our country to this day. God bless America and those who stand for it.

myStory

MyMom
The day after my 22nd birthday my mom and dad sat me down on our living room couch, my mom on my right and my dad on my left, and told me my mom had Breast Cancer. She would need surgery, a double mastectomy in a month, followed by chemo therapy. I was in shock, concern, and fear. But my parents assured me that the doctors said it looked early enough to treat with success.

One year later we celebrated her "Boob Birthday," as she joked; one year later, two days after my sister's 23rd birthday, my mom called me to let me know that the doctor found "a spot" in her lung. The cancer came back. Six months and a day later my mom died on Christmas Eve, 2002, from metastasized Breast Cancer; she was 50. I miss her every single day.

MyVoice
Since then, I have talked with God at length, trying to find out why this, and other trials I never imagined before the age of 30 were being put on my plate. I have decided that He must have something for me to share and needs me to have the experience so that my words mean more.

Therefore, this blog. I hope to share my own Cancer Story, as well as support, encourage, honor, and learn from other people's Cancer Stories. I know that some people find cancer a difficult topic, but my hope is that together we can become more than cancer survivors, but cancer thrivers.