So, I know it's been awhile lately between blogs. I've just been trying to keep up with everything in life. Then just as I start to think I have so much going on, so much to do**BAM**I really have a very simple life and have been blessed with fairly good health. I will sometimes sit and think to myself, I have so much going on how can I do this?? I'm NOT a super hero!! Then I have the ever soooo sneaky, Reality check!!! There are women/ mother's who have gone through some type of cancer and still manage. Some women are living with cancer everyday and those are the TRUE Super hero's!!
As, I hopped on here I checked one of the blogs I follow. So as I was reading her latest blog, she started talking about her acne . Which is a reaction to one of the new medications she's taking. Then I realized I've been complaing about my acne breakout due to birth control! I feel like a real schmuck!!
It's that gut check we need ever so often, that when you think life has handed you lemons******you realize, you were given something a little sweeter.
So, please remember that every 69 seconds a woman dies of breast cancer, 1 in 8 will be diagnosed with breast cancer, men can also get breast cancer, your risk grows with your age and weight gain.
If you would like more information or have any questions please don't hesitate to message me on here, facebook or email me.
KNOWLEDGE IS KEY....THE KEY TO SAVING LIVES, POSSIBLY YOUR OWN!!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Really??
So, I was at my gym the other morning and afterwards I saw a piece of paper saying "Cancer and causes". While I was standing at the counter stretching I gave it a quick skim through. I started to laugh in disbelief, when I saw "Cancer is 100% curable".......Really someone better let the rest of the world know. Because people are losing loved ones by the minute. So as I read it was insinuating that all cancers can be cured and prevented by working out.
Does working out cure cancer? No, not that I know of or else our gyms would be overflowing with people. However, working out and maintaining a healthy weight can give you a slightly decreased risk. However exercise will NOT CURE CANCER!!! When I do go back to my gym, I will make sure to give them the correct information.
Being overweight after menopause and gaining weight as an adult are some risk factors. I felt a little disappointed, as though they were trying to trick people in to working out.
As of right now, I'm at a slight risk for getting breast cancer because my mom recently had it and also my paternal grandmother. Not to mention, just simply being a woman and getting older. Being a 30 year old woman my chances of getting breast cancer is 1 in 229, by the age of 40 it will be 1 in 69.
I was on the SGK facebook page and there was a post about lumpectomies. As I read through I was surprised to read about such young women having double mastectomies. There were two the really caught my attention, they were 27 and 32 years old. I could only think to myself, how hard that must have been. Then my thoughts went to their families. How do you deal with hearing that your child has cancer and at an age where they are just begining to live their lives.
Please, I beg of you to do your self breast exams every month. The recommended age for mammograms is 40 years old. Which means these young women, were able to notice something wasn't right.
PLEASE, PLEASE...DO YOUR EXAMS AND REMIND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS TO DO THE SAME!!!
Does working out cure cancer? No, not that I know of or else our gyms would be overflowing with people. However, working out and maintaining a healthy weight can give you a slightly decreased risk. However exercise will NOT CURE CANCER!!! When I do go back to my gym, I will make sure to give them the correct information.
Being overweight after menopause and gaining weight as an adult are some risk factors. I felt a little disappointed, as though they were trying to trick people in to working out.
As of right now, I'm at a slight risk for getting breast cancer because my mom recently had it and also my paternal grandmother. Not to mention, just simply being a woman and getting older. Being a 30 year old woman my chances of getting breast cancer is 1 in 229, by the age of 40 it will be 1 in 69.
I was on the SGK facebook page and there was a post about lumpectomies. As I read through I was surprised to read about such young women having double mastectomies. There were two the really caught my attention, they were 27 and 32 years old. I could only think to myself, how hard that must have been. Then my thoughts went to their families. How do you deal with hearing that your child has cancer and at an age where they are just begining to live their lives.
Please, I beg of you to do your self breast exams every month. The recommended age for mammograms is 40 years old. Which means these young women, were able to notice something wasn't right.
PLEASE, PLEASE...DO YOUR EXAMS AND REMIND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS TO DO THE SAME!!!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Blessed to be given another awesome Honor!!!
I have been so blessed with all that the 3-Day has given to me. My first year I was asked to be a flag bearer and I was so honored. I was able to carry the "My Mother" flag during opening and closing ceremonies. This year, I was selected to be a 3-Day Ambassador. Some of you may know that there are quite a few ambassadors per city. Still, what an honor. There are thousands of people that do this walk every year.
I believe with every fiber of my being that some day we will find a cure. Currently, there are many different drug trials. However, cancer is different for everyone and reacts differently to some of the meds. Most of the advances made in breast cancer are funded by grants from Susan G. Komen.
I'm hoping that those of you who do read this, are doing what you can for your health and your loved ones, early detection is KEY!! They don't recommend mammograms for women till the age of 40, possibly earlier if you have a family history. So please do your monthly self breast exams!!
I have read and heard stories of women getting diagnosed with breast cancer, at a very young age. The youngest I personally heard of was 20 years old. When she noticed something wasn't right and went to her Dr. it was Stage 4. Meaning it had spread through out her body, she is currently living with cancer in her body! I recently watched a news report about a 4 year old being a breast cancer survivor. I can't imagine how hard it had to be for her mom to make such decisions for her then 2 year old daughter.. That little girl is now cancer free, however she had to have a mastectomy and will have to do reconstructive surgery later in life.
I am hoping that this "little"blog of mine will have the ability to make an impact in someone's life. I believe that, I have the ability to make a change. By doing that I am choosing to raise awareness and money to fund more research. In hopes of finding a cure.
Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure has given me my voice. I always knew I was meant to do something great in my lifetime. My hope is that it leads to saving lives and giving something to the future of our children and grandchildren.
Some of you may know that I come from a some what small town in Hawaii. I spent my formative years in Waianae, Hi. Life was great for the most part. School was always a little rough for me, although if you spoke to me you my not notice it. I wasn't really the kind of girl that just fit in. I was teased a lot, I know a huge surprise for those of you who know me. But I didn't let that define who I was or wanted to be. I joined the army right out of high school, I started to discover myself.
I've taken many different paths in my 30 years of life and I've taken all the ups and downs to "build" a better me. I could have taken all the name calling and relentless teasing in school and let it break me down. However, I some how managed to use it as "constructive" critisim. So whenever life hands me lemons, I squeeze the crap out of them till I get something good out of it!
I know your wondering where is this going??? Almost 2 years ago, my mom was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. She caught it early and we were very lucky. there is no family history on my mom's side, she was diagnosed at 48 years old. Most of my family still lives in hawaii, so I decided that I would do "One of those, breast cancer walks"! Well, I decided to do the SGK 3-Day for the Cure and I was able to put a positive spin on this situation. I had no say in weither or not, my mom would have cancer or anyone else for that matter. Instead, I would flood people with knowledge on breast cancer and raise as much awareness as I could.
Last year, I raised $2,974 when I walked in Boston. This year, I'm hoping to raise a minimum of $3,000.
So, I leave you with this final thought. When you picture your future or your children's future, do you picture a world without cancer? I know I do, that's why I'm doing what I do! What will you do to give that hope to your children??
I believe with every fiber of my being that some day we will find a cure. Currently, there are many different drug trials. However, cancer is different for everyone and reacts differently to some of the meds. Most of the advances made in breast cancer are funded by grants from Susan G. Komen.
I'm hoping that those of you who do read this, are doing what you can for your health and your loved ones, early detection is KEY!! They don't recommend mammograms for women till the age of 40, possibly earlier if you have a family history. So please do your monthly self breast exams!!
I have read and heard stories of women getting diagnosed with breast cancer, at a very young age. The youngest I personally heard of was 20 years old. When she noticed something wasn't right and went to her Dr. it was Stage 4. Meaning it had spread through out her body, she is currently living with cancer in her body! I recently watched a news report about a 4 year old being a breast cancer survivor. I can't imagine how hard it had to be for her mom to make such decisions for her then 2 year old daughter.. That little girl is now cancer free, however she had to have a mastectomy and will have to do reconstructive surgery later in life.
I am hoping that this "little"blog of mine will have the ability to make an impact in someone's life. I believe that, I have the ability to make a change. By doing that I am choosing to raise awareness and money to fund more research. In hopes of finding a cure.
Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure has given me my voice. I always knew I was meant to do something great in my lifetime. My hope is that it leads to saving lives and giving something to the future of our children and grandchildren.
Some of you may know that I come from a some what small town in Hawaii. I spent my formative years in Waianae, Hi. Life was great for the most part. School was always a little rough for me, although if you spoke to me you my not notice it. I wasn't really the kind of girl that just fit in. I was teased a lot, I know a huge surprise for those of you who know me. But I didn't let that define who I was or wanted to be. I joined the army right out of high school, I started to discover myself.
I've taken many different paths in my 30 years of life and I've taken all the ups and downs to "build" a better me. I could have taken all the name calling and relentless teasing in school and let it break me down. However, I some how managed to use it as "constructive" critisim. So whenever life hands me lemons, I squeeze the crap out of them till I get something good out of it!
I know your wondering where is this going??? Almost 2 years ago, my mom was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. She caught it early and we were very lucky. there is no family history on my mom's side, she was diagnosed at 48 years old. Most of my family still lives in hawaii, so I decided that I would do "One of those, breast cancer walks"! Well, I decided to do the SGK 3-Day for the Cure and I was able to put a positive spin on this situation. I had no say in weither or not, my mom would have cancer or anyone else for that matter. Instead, I would flood people with knowledge on breast cancer and raise as much awareness as I could.
Last year, I raised $2,974 when I walked in Boston. This year, I'm hoping to raise a minimum of $3,000.
So, I leave you with this final thought. When you picture your future or your children's future, do you picture a world without cancer? I know I do, that's why I'm doing what I do! What will you do to give that hope to your children??
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Donating is Easy!!!
www.the3day.org/goto/brandy
Obviously, you noticed I put up a link to my 3-day page. It is so that I can make it easier for you to donate to this very important cause. Click on the link above and it will take you to a page, where you can read my story. It gives you options for donating all at once or monthly installments. Even if you like, there is a tab to print out the form and mail in your check or money order.
Why did I spend the first paragraph explaining the process?? Because to some who may want to donate, may feel OVERWHELMED!! Which isn't surprising, you know you wanna help, you wanna donate, how much? Where do I click? So many questions. My job is to help clarify.
Those of you out there hopefully reading this want to do something to help and donate. But realize you don't have a bunch of money or would like donate more but can't right now. Susan G. Komen gives you options to make it easier for you to give. You can do upto 4 monthly installments of what works for you. Also, You can always share this story with your family, friends and co-workers. Starting up a donation collection, then print out a form and mail in a check or money order. ALL donations are TAX DEDUCTABLE!!! Bring this to your boss and see what they think about it!!
So, please don't think that there is no way for you to make a big difference. You always have options. My BIGGEST lesson in fundraising is you don't know if you don't ask!! So, I usually do most of my donation requests by email. Now I'm going to try snail mail!! More bake sales coming, possibly a kids fair and a Hoedown for Hooters.
Donations received so far $897 thats from Family, Friends, Bake sales, Gift wrapping and Superbowl squares. I gotta keep going to get to $2,300!!!
*Donate, because you know Me.
*Donate, because you know My Family.
*Donate, because you know Someone fighting this horrible disease.
*Donate, because you have Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Nieces, Husbands, Sons, Etc.
*Donate, BECAUSE WE ALL DESERVE A LIFETIME!!!
(Borrowed from teammate Kathey Lawrence)
Obviously, you noticed I put up a link to my 3-day page. It is so that I can make it easier for you to donate to this very important cause. Click on the link above and it will take you to a page, where you can read my story. It gives you options for donating all at once or monthly installments. Even if you like, there is a tab to print out the form and mail in your check or money order.
Why did I spend the first paragraph explaining the process?? Because to some who may want to donate, may feel OVERWHELMED!! Which isn't surprising, you know you wanna help, you wanna donate, how much? Where do I click? So many questions. My job is to help clarify.
Those of you out there hopefully reading this want to do something to help and donate. But realize you don't have a bunch of money or would like donate more but can't right now. Susan G. Komen gives you options to make it easier for you to give. You can do upto 4 monthly installments of what works for you. Also, You can always share this story with your family, friends and co-workers. Starting up a donation collection, then print out a form and mail in a check or money order. ALL donations are TAX DEDUCTABLE!!! Bring this to your boss and see what they think about it!!
So, please don't think that there is no way for you to make a big difference. You always have options. My BIGGEST lesson in fundraising is you don't know if you don't ask!! So, I usually do most of my donation requests by email. Now I'm going to try snail mail!! More bake sales coming, possibly a kids fair and a Hoedown for Hooters.
Donations received so far $897 thats from Family, Friends, Bake sales, Gift wrapping and Superbowl squares. I gotta keep going to get to $2,300!!!
*Donate, because you know Me.
*Donate, because you know My Family.
*Donate, because you know Someone fighting this horrible disease.
*Donate, because you have Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Nieces, Husbands, Sons, Etc.
*Donate, BECAUSE WE ALL DESERVE A LIFETIME!!!
(Borrowed from teammate Kathey Lawrence)
Saturday, February 5, 2011
What's up right now???
Well as of right now my fundraising is going really well. I had decided to sell Superbowl squares thinking it would be SO easy. I mean I live in New England!!! However, it was not so easy. I needed to sell 100 squares at $10 each. So, I'd make $1000 and $500 would go to prizes and the other half would go straight to my 3 day page. Well I was sitting at 37 squares sold for what seemed like a long time. Then my bother in law Greg would keep posting it on his facebook page. Then, his friend Dave sent me a message and bought 10 squares!!! I could hardly believe it. Then he took it and ran with it selling all of my remaining squares. THANK GOD!!!!!!!! So, now I have $500 to add to my page towards my goal of $3,000. I only need to raise $2,300 in order to walk, but I like to aim high!!
So now that I have accomplished the selling of my squares I am now trying to help my BFFL and team mate sell hers!!
My training has been put on hold, due to my hurting my back. I really need to get out there and started training. By out there I by no means in anyway am talking about walking outside!!! Unless, maybe I had a pair of snowshoes and a babysitter. Well with ALL of this snow, I am really looking forward to walking 60 miles in 3 days of heat and have fun doing it!!I'm a Hawaii girl, I thrive in the heat!!!That must explain why I'm usually in a depression during the winter, lack of vitamin D!!! Gimme my sunshine!!
Just a rant coming up!!!!
My sister and niece have safely made it to San Diego and have been trying to adjust over this past week. She has been having a hard time as I expected. So when she calls me in a panic thinking she's not sure if she can do it, I tell her she's strong and made the right move. A lot of people who know my sister and I say were not very much alike. I agree we really are different, esp. on the outside. She is everything I would love to be, but obviously not possible. While people see me as being this strong woman, who knows just what she wants and fights to get it. For the most part it's true. However, if you've know me for a while you know I wasn't always this way. It was a long hard road to get to where I am, Strength wise. I was always putting on a tough persona, being so invincible!!
Inside, I was afraid if someone every really pushed me would I be able to push back?? Or would I finally be seen for my "tough girl" facade???
After, many trying times in my life. I decided no more pretending I would be a strong woman and that I did.
So for my sister who may now doubt her strength will soon realize it is in there, She just has to trust in herself. My sister is quite a bit smaller than me in size, which is why the envy. But she is an amazing woman, who has great strength for which I have seen. Netty, your are strong and amazing.
Sometimes the strength in ourselves is determined by the things we do, not just say. I am making a statement by walking 60 miles in 3 days and raising $2,300. So please never think your weak because you never finished something, your strong because you tried!!
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!!!
So now that I have accomplished the selling of my squares I am now trying to help my BFFL and team mate sell hers!!
My training has been put on hold, due to my hurting my back. I really need to get out there and started training. By out there I by no means in anyway am talking about walking outside!!! Unless, maybe I had a pair of snowshoes and a babysitter. Well with ALL of this snow, I am really looking forward to walking 60 miles in 3 days of heat and have fun doing it!!I'm a Hawaii girl, I thrive in the heat!!!That must explain why I'm usually in a depression during the winter, lack of vitamin D!!! Gimme my sunshine!!
Just a rant coming up!!!!
My sister and niece have safely made it to San Diego and have been trying to adjust over this past week. She has been having a hard time as I expected. So when she calls me in a panic thinking she's not sure if she can do it, I tell her she's strong and made the right move. A lot of people who know my sister and I say were not very much alike. I agree we really are different, esp. on the outside. She is everything I would love to be, but obviously not possible. While people see me as being this strong woman, who knows just what she wants and fights to get it. For the most part it's true. However, if you've know me for a while you know I wasn't always this way. It was a long hard road to get to where I am, Strength wise. I was always putting on a tough persona, being so invincible!!
Inside, I was afraid if someone every really pushed me would I be able to push back?? Or would I finally be seen for my "tough girl" facade???
After, many trying times in my life. I decided no more pretending I would be a strong woman and that I did.
So for my sister who may now doubt her strength will soon realize it is in there, She just has to trust in herself. My sister is quite a bit smaller than me in size, which is why the envy. But she is an amazing woman, who has great strength for which I have seen. Netty, your are strong and amazing.
Sometimes the strength in ourselves is determined by the things we do, not just say. I am making a statement by walking 60 miles in 3 days and raising $2,300. So please never think your weak because you never finished something, your strong because you tried!!
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!!!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Good Perspective
You know when you have "those" days where you just feel like "Your having the worse possible day"??!! Well, I am a follower of another blog on this website. It was brought to my attention by a fellow teammate and friend. If you have sometime, my hope is for you to read it. It is about this AMAZING young woman named Bridget she is younger than me a living with stage IV breast cancer. www.mybiggirlpants.blogspot.com
If you didn't know I hurt my back at work last week. I've been in some pain and as usual complain about how it hurts, etc. So this morning I got my wake up call. WHINING CAUSES BLISTERS!!! This is one of my favorite sayings on the 3 day. So my back does hurt, but it's not cancer. This is something I said to myself on the walk last year. Although it was about my legs hurting. As the end of day 1 came to a close, my legs were in PAIN!! I mean I knew I just walked 20 miles, but everyone else was walking just fine. Maybe, I didn't train enough (very true) or maybe I didn't stretch enough??? Did I get in enough electrolytes?? So after I went to medical and got fixed thanks to Nancy.
I was better in the morning and I really wanted to walk day 2. So after breakfast, my tent mate and I went back to medical and asked to be released to walk.
Every single day that I walked, I walked with men wearing pink bras (PROUDLY), women older than me, survivors telling their stories to women going through or just finishing treatment walking with huge beautiful smiles. I was amazed by these women for their strength and joy for life. So grateful to be here not just walking the 3 day, but to have a 2nd chance at life. I was humbled to even be in their presents!!
I feel the same way when I read Bridget's blog. So I hope you make the time to read it and I hope your heart is humbled!
In life things happen that you don't see coming and that is just a part of life. It's what you chose to do in life, when your met with an unexpected surprise. I don't think anyone every really knows what to tell someone who has just found out something has changed in their life. What do you say to someone who has found out their life will NEVER really be the same again?? You tell them in your own loving way, that life will be different. Because you will look into yourself and find your warrior, you will be fearless and tell cancer or whatever maybe the battle to go F%&* off!!! Your life will never be the "same" because you will "never be the same" you have forever changed. You will have become stronger, wiser and come to relish the gift of life.
Life was given to us and sometimes is taken so lightly. All it takes is one moment to make you realize just how fragile it is. It is in these moments that define the person your are and are destined to be! So just remember this " TOMORROW IS NEVER PROMISED, SO LIVE IN IT AND LOVE IT TODAY!!!".
If you didn't know I hurt my back at work last week. I've been in some pain and as usual complain about how it hurts, etc. So this morning I got my wake up call. WHINING CAUSES BLISTERS!!! This is one of my favorite sayings on the 3 day. So my back does hurt, but it's not cancer. This is something I said to myself on the walk last year. Although it was about my legs hurting. As the end of day 1 came to a close, my legs were in PAIN!! I mean I knew I just walked 20 miles, but everyone else was walking just fine. Maybe, I didn't train enough (very true) or maybe I didn't stretch enough??? Did I get in enough electrolytes?? So after I went to medical and got fixed thanks to Nancy.
I was better in the morning and I really wanted to walk day 2. So after breakfast, my tent mate and I went back to medical and asked to be released to walk.
Every single day that I walked, I walked with men wearing pink bras (PROUDLY), women older than me, survivors telling their stories to women going through or just finishing treatment walking with huge beautiful smiles. I was amazed by these women for their strength and joy for life. So grateful to be here not just walking the 3 day, but to have a 2nd chance at life. I was humbled to even be in their presents!!
I feel the same way when I read Bridget's blog. So I hope you make the time to read it and I hope your heart is humbled!
In life things happen that you don't see coming and that is just a part of life. It's what you chose to do in life, when your met with an unexpected surprise. I don't think anyone every really knows what to tell someone who has just found out something has changed in their life. What do you say to someone who has found out their life will NEVER really be the same again?? You tell them in your own loving way, that life will be different. Because you will look into yourself and find your warrior, you will be fearless and tell cancer or whatever maybe the battle to go F%&* off!!! Your life will never be the "same" because you will "never be the same" you have forever changed. You will have become stronger, wiser and come to relish the gift of life.
Life was given to us and sometimes is taken so lightly. All it takes is one moment to make you realize just how fragile it is. It is in these moments that define the person your are and are destined to be! So just remember this " TOMORROW IS NEVER PROMISED, SO LIVE IN IT AND LOVE IT TODAY!!!".
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Like exlax for the soul!!!
I know your probably wondering what the hell that even means. Well on my way home after work, I usually cal my family back home in Hawaii. Well, I called my sister who is in the middle of chaos preparing to move. So as I listened to her go on about how crazy things were, I patiently waited till she was done. So after giving her a hard time about, "It's soooo hard for her to be the pretty girl!!!". I was having so much fun, laughing in my car as though we were sitting in the same room and I was making fun of her. I was glad it was 11:30 at night and no one could see me sitting in my car. They might find that weird!!
So while her world seemed to be turning upside down and different colors. I made her STOP and pull up my blog. I know to some that may seem selfish or weird. However she lives a very busy life, even more so in the middle of moving. So, anyway. I also had her bring my grama into the room, so they could read it together. So now they are in my sister's room, which I'm pretty SURE was a DISASTER sitting there wth me on speakerphone. I had her pull it up and scroll down to the one I had wrote about her. So I asked my sister to read it out loud and as she did I could hear how my words had touched her heart. Words which to some people, may be just words. But they are more than that, words can create and evolve. I had heard in her voice an impression left on her heart and her soul by MY WORDS.....That's amazing. She and my Grama loved it and they were amazed and very proud of me.
So I look at this blog of mine as therapy for me and it really helped me to hear someone read my words out loud. It's one thing to sit here alone and write down what comes into you mind. It's quite another to hear them brought to life, by someone simply reading it a loud.
So as my sister unknowing took a break and put her chaos on hold, She was able to breath life into my words. It made me feel HEARD, ACCOMPLISHED & WHOLE!!
Afterwards, I called my Aunty Bev. and I asked her to do the samething. However, I had warned her that I was gonna make her cry. Then I stated to her that it wasn't in a bad way. I said it's a good cry is like cleansing your soul. Then I came up with,"I'm like exlax for your soul, I'll give you a good flush!" (Don't really know where that came from).Only cause she has such a soft heart and feels as easily as I do. So I asked her to read it aloud. As she did I had noticed a change in her voice and she had began crying. So at this sametime 3000 + miles away from home, I was sitting in my car tearing up along with her. These words that I had written down, were no longer just words! They had evolved into a statement, a mission statment!
I know not much of this post has to do with my 3 day, but this we'll chuck up to a rambling. I love my family so much and miss them dearly. I know that if I were to leave this world tomorrow, they would all know how much I loved them all!!
I love you all and appreciate all the love you have given me. I am who I am because you taught me, that I can do anything I put my mind to.
So while her world seemed to be turning upside down and different colors. I made her STOP and pull up my blog. I know to some that may seem selfish or weird. However she lives a very busy life, even more so in the middle of moving. So, anyway. I also had her bring my grama into the room, so they could read it together. So now they are in my sister's room, which I'm pretty SURE was a DISASTER sitting there wth me on speakerphone. I had her pull it up and scroll down to the one I had wrote about her. So I asked my sister to read it out loud and as she did I could hear how my words had touched her heart. Words which to some people, may be just words. But they are more than that, words can create and evolve. I had heard in her voice an impression left on her heart and her soul by MY WORDS.....That's amazing. She and my Grama loved it and they were amazed and very proud of me.
So I look at this blog of mine as therapy for me and it really helped me to hear someone read my words out loud. It's one thing to sit here alone and write down what comes into you mind. It's quite another to hear them brought to life, by someone simply reading it a loud.
So as my sister unknowing took a break and put her chaos on hold, She was able to breath life into my words. It made me feel HEARD, ACCOMPLISHED & WHOLE!!
Afterwards, I called my Aunty Bev. and I asked her to do the samething. However, I had warned her that I was gonna make her cry. Then I stated to her that it wasn't in a bad way. I said it's a good cry is like cleansing your soul. Then I came up with,"I'm like exlax for your soul, I'll give you a good flush!" (Don't really know where that came from).Only cause she has such a soft heart and feels as easily as I do. So I asked her to read it aloud. As she did I had noticed a change in her voice and she had began crying. So at this sametime 3000 + miles away from home, I was sitting in my car tearing up along with her. These words that I had written down, were no longer just words! They had evolved into a statement, a mission statment!
I know not much of this post has to do with my 3 day, but this we'll chuck up to a rambling. I love my family so much and miss them dearly. I know that if I were to leave this world tomorrow, they would all know how much I loved them all!!
I love you all and appreciate all the love you have given me. I am who I am because you taught me, that I can do anything I put my mind to.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
So I wonder
Sometimes, I write on here and I wonder to myself "has anyone even read this?". I mean I guess either way this is kind of like therapy for me. I sometimes feel so helpless in this fight against breast cancer, I start to ask myself,"Can I really raise enough money to walk year after year?? ".Hopefully we'll find a cure soon and will no longer need to walk for a cure, but for the joy of it.
Until that happens I will continue to walk until I am longer able to. It broke my heart last night when I had watch a story on msnbc, about a 4 y/o breast cancer survivor. 4 YEARS OLD, I CAN'T IMAGINE WATCHING MY CHILD GO THOUGH THAT!!!
I am so grateful for the family and friends I have that have continued to support me, without them who knows. It's because of them and their love for me and what I am attempting to challenge that keeps me going.
I have taken this challenge and made it my passion! So if your reading this and I hope someone is, What is your passion? I mean what are you REALLY, REALLY passionate about??
I am so passionate when it comes to finding a cure for cancer. I don't ever want to hear my niece, my sister or anyone young to ever tell me they have breast cancer. I hope that even though I am but ONE person, I can make a difference. I'm hoping that finding a cure for breast cancer will lead to finding a cure for other cancers.
I may only be ONE person, but it only takes ONE person to make a difference. So if there is a chance that your reading this and would like to help me in this life changing journey. Please consider donating to my 3 day page. I have to raise $2,300, so I can walk 60 miles in 3 days......with love and passion!!
www.the3day.org/goto/brandy
Until that happens I will continue to walk until I am longer able to. It broke my heart last night when I had watch a story on msnbc, about a 4 y/o breast cancer survivor. 4 YEARS OLD, I CAN'T IMAGINE WATCHING MY CHILD GO THOUGH THAT!!!
I am so grateful for the family and friends I have that have continued to support me, without them who knows. It's because of them and their love for me and what I am attempting to challenge that keeps me going.
I have taken this challenge and made it my passion! So if your reading this and I hope someone is, What is your passion? I mean what are you REALLY, REALLY passionate about??
I am so passionate when it comes to finding a cure for cancer. I don't ever want to hear my niece, my sister or anyone young to ever tell me they have breast cancer. I hope that even though I am but ONE person, I can make a difference. I'm hoping that finding a cure for breast cancer will lead to finding a cure for other cancers.
I may only be ONE person, but it only takes ONE person to make a difference. So if there is a chance that your reading this and would like to help me in this life changing journey. Please consider donating to my 3 day page. I have to raise $2,300, so I can walk 60 miles in 3 days......with love and passion!!
www.the3day.org/goto/brandy
Friday, January 21, 2011
LOVING MY SISTER!!!
So as I sit here on yet again, ANOTHER snow day. I think to myself, about my sister and my niece. At the end of this month they will be moving to San Diego, which is huge for her since she has never lived off the island. Sometimes with great love, comes great sacrifice. Netty, Keane and Ali are going to be SO happy!! She wasn't too happy about her fiance getting assigned to San Diego, we were hoping for Boston. So when I found out I said,"Hey, they have a 3 day walk out there!".
I am hoping that soon we will find a cure for breast cancer and my thoughts can be of visiting some place new. However, until we find a cure I am hoping someday to do a 3day event with my sister in San Diego.
I'm sure some of you see this on facebook and give it a read or have somehow come across it online. Either way, your here. Do you have any sisters? Nieces? Granddaughters? Since, I'm sure your reading this alone I'd like for you to count on your hand or in your head. How many sisters you have, then how many nieces, granddaughters, goddaughters, girlfriends and don't forget your aunts, cousins, grandma's, etc. Now, once you reach your final number know this startling fact 1in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer.
I have 1 mother, 1 mother in law, 1 sister, 2 sister in laws, 2 nieces, 2 aunts, 2 grandmothers, 3 girl cousins and in this small handful of women 2 of them have had breast cancer. This fight is important to me, so shouldn't it be important to you?!! Please look at your number and tell me isn't it worth fighting for? I will pound my feet to the pavement raising money and training, so that in July I can proudly walk 60 miles!! What will your statement be? If your not able to walk 60 miles, then please consider doing something just as bold DONATE. Even if it's not to me that's fine, but every dollar counts toward funding research. Also, something just a brave...Please, do your monthly selfexams and get your mammograms. Early detection is key!!
In the end we're crazy about each other and crazy for a cure!!!
As her big sister it's my job to protect her and I will continue to do so!!
I am hoping that soon we will find a cure for breast cancer and my thoughts can be of visiting some place new. However, until we find a cure I am hoping someday to do a 3day event with my sister in San Diego.
I'm sure some of you see this on facebook and give it a read or have somehow come across it online. Either way, your here. Do you have any sisters? Nieces? Granddaughters? Since, I'm sure your reading this alone I'd like for you to count on your hand or in your head. How many sisters you have, then how many nieces, granddaughters, goddaughters, girlfriends and don't forget your aunts, cousins, grandma's, etc. Now, once you reach your final number know this startling fact 1in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer.
I have 1 mother, 1 mother in law, 1 sister, 2 sister in laws, 2 nieces, 2 aunts, 2 grandmothers, 3 girl cousins and in this small handful of women 2 of them have had breast cancer. This fight is important to me, so shouldn't it be important to you?!! Please look at your number and tell me isn't it worth fighting for? I will pound my feet to the pavement raising money and training, so that in July I can proudly walk 60 miles!! What will your statement be? If your not able to walk 60 miles, then please consider doing something just as bold DONATE. Even if it's not to me that's fine, but every dollar counts toward funding research. Also, something just a brave...Please, do your monthly selfexams and get your mammograms. Early detection is key!!
In the end we're crazy about each other and crazy for a cure!!!
As her big sister it's my job to protect her and I will continue to do so!!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
It's been awhile....
Okay, so I know it's been awhile since my previous posting. Things just got crazy after the new year. Busy with the kids, work and trying to come up with new fundraisers. Well we asked at work and got the okay to do bake sales again. I did 2 last year and did a pretty good job. So we did our 1st one this season and did really well. We got lots of support from our friends and co-workers. They donated baked goods and bought quite a few themselves. So we're planning on doing bake sales, selling t-shirts and Superbowl squares.
Sometimes I'm afraid people may think I'm just bothering them for their money. Sometimes, I'm afraid they see all of my posts on facebook asking for donations and think of me as some sort of panhandler. The truth is... Yeah, I do want your money. Is it for me personally to go and do whatever with?? NO. That money I'm asking for is meant to do great things. The money donated helps to provide mammograms to people in parts of the world that may not be able to afford it. It goes to research, most of the advances in breast cancer research were funded by grants from Susan G. Komen. So I like to think that I am asking you to help me save lives. Early detection saves lives....It could save yours or the life of someone you love!
If you'd like to donate, but then look in your wallet and see $20 then say to yourself what could I buy with that?? If you wanna buy something that makes a difference then I'll sell you a t-shirt, bracelet, Superbowl squares, advertising space on my shirts, baked goods. HELP ME, HELP YOU, HELP ME!!!
If you wanna check out the shirts they are at the top with the other photos!!
“It’s not about the dates of when you were born and when you die, it’s about what you do with that dash in between those dates”
Sometimes I'm afraid people may think I'm just bothering them for their money. Sometimes, I'm afraid they see all of my posts on facebook asking for donations and think of me as some sort of panhandler. The truth is... Yeah, I do want your money. Is it for me personally to go and do whatever with?? NO. That money I'm asking for is meant to do great things. The money donated helps to provide mammograms to people in parts of the world that may not be able to afford it. It goes to research, most of the advances in breast cancer research were funded by grants from Susan G. Komen. So I like to think that I am asking you to help me save lives. Early detection saves lives....It could save yours or the life of someone you love!
If you'd like to donate, but then look in your wallet and see $20 then say to yourself what could I buy with that?? If you wanna buy something that makes a difference then I'll sell you a t-shirt, bracelet, Superbowl squares, advertising space on my shirts, baked goods. HELP ME, HELP YOU, HELP ME!!!
If you wanna check out the shirts they are at the top with the other photos!!
“It’s not about the dates of when you were born and when you die, it’s about what you do with that dash in between those dates”
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