Melanoma CAN happen to you!

STOP TANNING.  STOP LAYING IN THE SUN.  WEAR SUNSCREEN.  WEAR HATS.  PLEASE, DON’T THINK MELANOMA WON’T HAPPEN TO YOU.

 

I’ve been there with you all, and now I very much regret it.  I used to visit the tanning salon much too often when I was younger.  I did what many of you do….you know the risks, you know that you can get skin cancer from the tanning salon, but you just love that "healthy" bronzed look.  So, you push the thoughts of skin cancer out of your mind and climb into the tanning bed.  You think, "it can’t happen to me".

 

Don’t fool yourself any longer.  It can happen to you. Melanoma can happen to you.  Here is a great article about tanning.  Please take a moment to read it.   "Five reasons to give up tanning in the New Year".  http://www.skincancer.org/2009-Press-Releases/five-reasons-to-give-up-tanning-in-the-new-year.html

 

My beloved dad just died of Melanoma Feb. 10th.  He died of Metastic Melanoma.  My dad was always out in the sun, and sometimes got sunburned.  Just a few years ago he had a relatively small Melanoma removed from his upper back.  "No big deal" he said to me on the phone.  They took a small section around the Melanoma and biopsied it, it appeared they got it all.  Dad’s Melanoma wasn’t ever really thought of or mentioned again.  Just a close call we all thought. 

 

Sadly, the Melanoma wasn’t finished with my dad.  Just a few short years later, this past December 26th, we learned that the Melanoma came back and this time it WAS A BIG DEAL.  The Melanoma had come back and spread directly to his brain, lungs, and liver.  He died in less than 2 months after finding out the Melanoma came back.  At only 62 years old my dad is dead from skin cancer.  I am without my dad, my son is without his grandpa, and my sister and brother are without their mentor because of Melanoma. 

 

Let me assure you, death from skin cancer (Melanoma) is not pretty.  Dad was in terrible pain in his last few days.  He endured several hospital visits.  He had brain surgery.  He went from a strong independent man, to a man I hardly recognized.  He lost his ability to speak, eat, drink, and move.  He was in constant pain in his last few days and had to be on Morphine every hour or so.  The Melanoma was ruthless and violent.

 

Dad went from this….to this.  All due to Melanoma.  The first picture was taken in 10/09 and the second picture was taken hours before he died 2/10.

 

Don’t be the next victim of Melanoma.  You can be proactive in defending yourself against this vicious cancer.    I have gathered some articles to help you be educated about this horrible cancer.  Don’t let ignorance be your excuse.  Do you need more convicing?  Just scroll on this blog back a few weeks and you can watch my father die of cancer right in front of your eyes.

 

Skin Cancer Prevention: http://www.skincancer.org/2010-Press-Releases/skin-cancer-prevention-is-a-way-of-life.html

 

http://www.skincancer.org/2009-Press-Releases/sun-protection-needed-all-year-long.html

 

Skin Cancer Facts:  http://www.skincancer.org/Skin-Cancer-Facts/

 

What is Melanoma: http://www.skincancer.org/Melanoma/

 

Addicted to Tanning? http://www.skincancer.org/Tanning/are-you-addicted-tanning-is-terrible-in-more-ways-than-we-knew.html

 

Tanning Bed Danger: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm186687.htm

 

Pictures of Skin Cancer: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/melanoma/DS00575

 

 

God and Dog

The BEST video ever.  Enjoy!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY

Important Message

I borrowed this from my friend Stephanie’s blog.  It is an incredibly important message.  Take a few minutes to watch and really listen.

 

http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver.html

 

 

Dad all Around

I got my first shipment of dad’s things Wednesday afternoon.  I was so excited to see the UPS truck pull up, I knew exactly the precious cargo he was about to deliver.  He delivered 2 big boxes and I set them in the kitchen unable to open them at first.  While Noah was napping I decided to open the boxes.  My heart just jumped as the first thing I saw was my dad’s big brown blanket.  He used this blanket as his comforter on his bed and loved it.  He had it on him up until the day he died.  It means alot to me.  I picked it up and held it to my face, took a deep breath, and cried as I could still smell him.  I continued to take everything out of the boxes…..dad’s railroad jacket, pictures, plaques, clothing, a hat, personal papers, and beautiful railroad signs he had in his office.  I sobbed at the sight and smell of dad’s personal items.  I miss him so much. 

 

Wednesday night was a hard night for me.  Once Gary got home, I just laid on our bed clutching dad’s clothing to my face sobbing.  It was a good release for me, but terribly painful.  Noah and Gary came up on the bed to comfort me, I am so blessed to have them.  Noah offered me his teddy bear and laid next to me.  I told him I miss Grandpa, he said he did too.  I wore dad’s T-shirt to bed that night.

 

I felt better Thursday and decided to find a special place for dad’s items.  Noah and I ventured out to Target and I got a special box for some of dad’s items (clothing, hat, etc).  Then I hung his railroad pictures in Noah’s room and his play loft.  Dad would have loved that!  I also put up the speical cross I bought the day dad died, and hung a few other things.

 

This is the clothing I picked to keep. 

 

My special cross.  I hung it in our kitchen.  I was so sad to see it broke on the travel home, but a little gorilla glue can do wonders!

 

Dad is all over our fridge!

 

My special box for dad’s things.  I sitll have a lot more on it’s way….so I needed a special place to keep it all!  A BIG thanks for Jim and Bobbie Miller for sending all this stuff home for me!

 

Dad’s collectible railroad signs in Noah’s room and play loft.  I stuck dad’s Union Pacific sign at the door to our house in the garage so I can see it each time I come in and go out.

 

I just love this.  Dad had this hanging in his office.  He framed it himself, so I know it was special to him.  I hung it in our basement.

 

I picked out something special for Gary’s parents to have in memory of my dad…..but I can’t show a picture because we are giving it to them tonight.   I will take a picture after I give it to them.  Here are a couple other things I got in this shipment.  I love this little boy picture!

 

Noah enjoying grandpa’s big blanket!

 

 

More Snow = Indoor Playground

Since getting home from AZ, Noah and I have been enjoying getting out to some of our favorite places.  Today we went to the indoor playground.  It was packed today since we were getting more snow.  Noah had a fun time making new friends……well, I had to "help" him with his sharing, but he did a pretty good job.  He is getting so big and was climbing some of the HUGE play structures all by himself with no fear.

 

 

He can almost dunk!!

 

He loved the tire swing.

 

Zooming down the roller coaster.  Definitely his favorite thing there!

 

 

More fun!  What’s he pointing at you ask?  He was telling me what direction to pull him in the wagon!

 

Look at my cool kiddo!  Adorable.

Day of Healing

Today I started taking some proactive steps in the direction of healing for myself.  First, I joined a women’s only gym.  I really need to take some serious steps to take care of my health.  I have been saying this since noah was born.  While I was in AZ to be with dad I really let myself go….no exercise, and really careless eating.  I promised myself that once I got home I would start getting serious and making a real effort to get healthy. So, here’s my first step.  A big step for me.  I went over today and signed a contract for a year.  Tomorrow I will start with my first workout.  I also signed up for a contest that starts at the gym March 3rd.  The contest is "Who will be the biggest loser?".   Everone interested pays $10 and then we are weighed once a week and whoever loses the most percentage after many weeks wins the pot of money!  I am so excited to get started, it’s just the kick I needed!

 

Another step in healing is reading a book my mom bought for me called "My Dream of Heaven" by Rebecca Ruter Springer. (thank you mom!)  It is a relatively small book about a woman’s dream of heaven.  I have heard of this book before, and I think I even picked it up at one point long ago, but never read it.  I started reading it tonight and have such a feeling of peace about my dad even after the first four chapters.  The book is beautifully written and gives such a detailed explanation of heaven.  A couple of my favorite quotes so far that have given me such peace…..

 

"They laughed and chattered and sang, as they worked; and I could not help wishing more than once that the friends whom they had left in mourning for them might look in upon this happy group, and see how little cause they had for sorrow."

 

"Whom of all the friends you have in heaven, do you most wish to see?  My father and mother I answered quickly……I hastily turned and there, advancing up the long room to meet me, I saw my dear father.  With a cry of joy I flew into my father’s outstretched arms, and heard, with a thrill of joy, his dear familiar "My precious daughter!"  At last, at last, I cried, clinging to him.  At last I have you again."

Home Sweet Home!

First Born

I borrowed this from a friend’s website, I just love it.  Thanks Kaisha!

 

First Born
I used to study parents and dream of a day
When I’d be called "Mommy" by a child at play.
I imagine the kind of mother I’d be
Rocking a baby upon my knee.
I’d be faithful and patient, creative and fun,
A friend and a mentor all wrapped up in one.
I’d love him a lot and offer him grace,
And surely the rest would fall into place.
Then my dream dawned; and I was with child.
God looked upon me, and knowingly smiled.
He bid all His angels to gather nearby.
He pointed me out with a twinkling eye.
He said, "see that woman, a daughter I adore?"
She’s asked for a blessing, but I’ll give her more.
She dreams of a child whom shortly she’ll see.
I’ve got one in mind, a gift straight from me.
I’ve known him since time had its start.
He’s full of spunk with a passionate heart.
He’s got a strong will and determination;
He’s smart and noisy, my prized creation.
Yes, this child is perfect, I know.
He’ll mold her and shape her and cause her to grow.
He’ll challenge her wit and knock off some pride.
He’ll test the boundaries ’til her patience is tried.
He’ll hound her often with impossible pleas,
And daily he’ll drive her to her knees.
She’ll turn to me for strength and grace
To raise a child who will run the good race.
She’ll quickly learn the task at hand
Is not as simple as she’d planned.
She’ll cling to my Word and fervently look
For wisdom and guidance in My precious Book.
And though he will test her, on days, wear her out:
This child will teach her what love’s all about.
He’ll be her laughter, her purpose, her joy,
Her greatest blessing, her firstborn boy.
She’ll love him with a love so great
That some days her whole heart will ache.
And then she’ll understand my loss
When I sent my Son to Calvery’s cross.
Oh, yes, this child, a work of my hand,
Will grow my daughter into ALL I HAVE PLANNED!"
-Alicia Bruxvoort

Last Night in AZ

We had a very nice last night in Az.  We went to a yummy mexican restaurant with mom, Jaime, Michael and Sarah.  It was great to all be together.  As we were leaving the restaurant Noah let a balloon go to Grandpa.  As it disappeared into the night sky, I smiled at the innocence and faithfulness of a child.  Noah knows Grandpa is in heaven or "heaben" as he calls it.  I love to picture my dad intercepting that blue balloon and smiling knowing it was from Noah. 

 

I miss you dad, my heart aches to hear your voice.  I have two voice messages that I saved from my dad, and I haven’t been able to listen to them yet.  Way to painful right now.  But it’s good to know I have them when I’m ready.  I put dad’s pictures and obituary on my fridge door.  I look at them many times during the day, still in shock that dad’s really gone.  Today was better than yesterday, so that’s a good thing.  I cried a bit less today than yesterday.  It’s been wonderfully healing to talk to my dear friend Bridgett since coming home.  She makes my heart happy. Thank you Bridgett for being such a rock for me.

 

Lunch with Auntie Erica before we left AZ.

 

Uncle Michael and Sarah came over to the rental house on our last night to play with Noah.  Uncle Michael had fun building with Noah’s blocks.  We cleaned out the food in the house and both Sarah and Michael were excited to take stuff home!

 

 

Fun then Fear

I have gotten behind in my blogging, so I am doing a little catch up.  Our last couple days in AZ were wierd ones.  One day in particular was filled with tons of fun….then a big scare.  Mom and I spent the morning painting pottery.  We had such a fun time letting out our creativity and spending time together.  I can’t wait to see the final product!  It was a great mom and daughter morning, complete with lunch with mom, Erica, and I.  Gary spent the morning with Noah at Sabino Canyon riding the tram and hiking.  They had a great time splashing in the freezing water….well, Noah had a great time!

 

Pottery Painting!  Here’s mom’s creation, an egg plate.

 

My creation!  It’s a tile that will hang on the wall.  I can’t wait to see it after it’s fired!

 

 

Then, we all went to visit my brother’s house down by the University of AZ.  Does this look like a college house or what??

 

Then the big scare happened.  Noah’s first Emergency Room visit.  We went to a local restaurant to meet some of dad’s friends for dinner.  My brother and his girlfriend, Sarah, were there with us.  We were waiting outside for a table.  I decided to take Noah to change is diaper in the van, and as I was walking across the parking lot, holding Noah, I tripped on a parking curb and fell dropping Noah.  He hit the side of his head and started having seizure like reactions.  He arched his back and his eyes rolled back and he blacked out.  I called out to call 911.  I picked him up and Gary took him and laid him down on the bench, he was still out cold.  The paramedics arrived and Noah had come around and was crying.  The medics checked him out and recommended we take him to the ER to be checked and watched.  They did say he appeared okay, but it’s better to be safe.  We drove over to the ER….sadly, the same ER I had just been at with dad.  A doc checked Noah out and said he appeared okay and that we just needed to watch him overnight.  Thank God for answered prayers, Noah did just fine and ended up being okay.  Poor Baby.