Sept. 24 - "One Starfish at a Time"

Well, it's Monday. Not much has happened over the last week and a half. I suppose that's a good thing, right? Mom didn't have treatment last week. It was her "week off", so to say. Other than being sick to her stomach and tired of course, she's been doing well.

This past weekend they went over to Illinois and stayed at the River in Charlie Primus' camper. Aunt Sharon, Marvis, Angie & Brian were all there. From what I hear, they all had a pretty good time. Mom brought home a beautiful blanket Angie made her. It has all kinds of family pictures on it.

Yesterday, Darin, Devin and I went over to meet Mom & Roger when they got home. Little Roger had a surprise for mom. The only thing Mom has ever said she really wanted, especially since they moved out to the farm in 1990 was a Gazebo. Well, Little Rog went and bought the materials for one and put it together Saturday after they left for Illinois. The look on mom's face was priceless. I bought her a birthday cake and brought some Chicken, so we had a little dinner too. She said she knew something was up, because Little Roger and I kept calling Roger while they were gone. LOL But she was truly surprised.

I wish I could have contributed to the cost of the gazebo, but Little Roger is so generous. He has done so much for Mom & Roger. It sure makes it easier for me knowing he's right there and keeping an eye on Mom. I am fortunate to have such a loving Step-Father and Step-Brother. I know I've had my differences with Lil' Rog, but we become closer as adults. Who knew or would have ever thought......

Tuesday is mom's 60th birthday. I suppose I'm fortunate to have had 35 years with her and with God's Love and Blessings, hopefully will have a few more. She'll start her second round of Chemo on Thursday. This time they will add Avastin to her treatment. She'll be at IMA for at least 4.5 hours and I know she's not looking forward to that.

That's all I know for now. I just wanted to share a story with you quickly that I read on the LCA Survivors community. It was found by the founders son as he visited the chapel where his father was hospitalized. It really sums up how we must fight Lung Cancer and spread knowledge about the disease:

~~Once a man was walking along a beach. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. Off in the distance he could see a boy going back and forth between the surf's edge and the beach. Back and forth this boy went. As the man approached he could see that there were hundreds of starfish stranded on the sand as the result of the natural action of the tide.

The man was stuck by the apparent futility of the task. There were far too many starfish. Many of them were sure to perish. As he approached the boy continued the task of picking up starfish one by one and throwing them into the surf.

As he came up to the boy he said, "You must be crazy. There are thousands of miles of beach covered with starfish. You can't possibly make a difference." The boy looked at the man. He then stooped down and picked up another starfish and threw it back into the ocean. He turned back to the man and said, "It sure made a difference to that one! ~~

I encourage you if you haven't already to learn more about this disease. You can do so by visiting the Lung Cancer Alliance Website. Please support finding a cure for cancer. It doesn't have to be just Lung Cancer...we need to fight all cancer. Of course, Lung Cancer is a little more personal to me, but "one starfish at a time" we CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Please keep in touch and keep us in your thoughts and prayers. You all are in ours.

Peace, Love and God Bless,

Tammi