Cancer Survivors - Making a Difference

I'm inspired by other Cancer Survivors - looking to make a difference through their experiences.  My Tender Talk basket is based on the love and help that two very special ladies have shared.  Ellen McVicker wrote Butterfly Kisses and Wishes On Wings for her cousin Nanci Hersh's children - to help explain Nanci's cancer to them.  Several years later, Nanci did the beautiful illustrations to the text and the book was born!

As Relay for Life events are ramping up here in the Lancaster PA area, we'll see lots of local survivor inspirations - some because of the positive things they've done as a result of the experience, and some from the way they've battled and shared their cancer experience. 

If you want to see inspiration for fun in the cancer experience (yes, I mean crazy times!), check out the May 2011  Lancaster Relay for Life newsletter.  Along with the fun events scheduled for 2011, is a pic of the 2010 "Miss Relay" contestants.  What a riot!  So, getting ready for Relay - making raffle baskets, etc.  Hope to see you there.  :-)

Warmly,


Linda 

Speaking Engagements - Nervous, but a good thing.

It was so nice when WGAL interviewed me and did the piece.  My preparation required cleaning my house rather than figuring out exactly what to say. 



That's me (Linda) on the left...at a Lancaster area Rotary function



I've been doing speaking engagements, on topics near and dear to my heart, such as cancer recovery issues.  Sure makes me plenty nervous!, but it's a good way to reach out in our community about cancer survivorship issues while working on my public speaking.  Here I'm with Kathy Spence of Home Helpers in Willow Street.  There must be a better term to explain thriving through cancer recovery, since being labeled as a "survivor" has its positive and negative connotations, especially for those who haven't personally been closely touched by the experience.

It's also fun to do things like breast cancer events.  Not only do I get the "oohs" and "aahs" on my baskets, but it's wonderful to see what everyone else is doing.  For example, at Empowered by Pink,  there was a survivor that made stylish and beautiful head coverings.   Fills a true need for cancer patients, but were just stunning for anyone to wear!...they were that good.

Spring is here!, and so soon is the Lancaster area Relay for Life, held at Conestoga High School on starting Friday, June 10 and finishing up on Saturday, June 11.  Less than two months until Relay for Life.  Time is sure moving along fast.  I've got a couple of baskets being raffled off by Relay teams as fundraisers; it's sure nice to help in that way.  Makes money for American Cancer Society, and brings joy to the basket winner.  :-)

Warmly,

Linda





No Joke: Humor Therapy Helps Cancer Patients Heal

I came across this news story and just loved it!:  No Joke: Humor Therapy Helps Cancer Patients Heal

It talks about a hospital with "monthly "Strength Through Laughter" therapy. It is one of several types of laughter or humor therapy being offered by medical facilities around the country for patients diagnosed with cancer or other chronic diseases.

The programs feature joke sessions, clown appearances and funny movies...

One of the challenges of being diagnosed with cancer is preserving your dignity ... when we tell you to put on a gown where the back half is missing and everyone's examining you and asking about bodily functions," said Dr. Richard Wender, former president of the American Cancer Society and the hospital's chief of family medicine.

The clown volunteers, he said, create a sense of comfort that helps narrow the "interpersonal gap" between patient and medical staff."

I'm sure the camaraderie among the cancer survivors in the laughter program helps, too.  Isn't it amazing the instant bond among cancer survivors and caregivers?  All the traditional "polite" getting to know you stuff falls away, and you immediately get to the very soul of things.  Very healing...

I'm continuing to exercise after my surgery - and loving it!

Warmly,

Linda

Cancer Free Radio!, and Working Out Again...

It's been below freezing this week!, so we temporarily lost our Spring...but it's been a great week anyway.

I've been finally able to work out again  (WHOO-HOO!!!) after my breast surgery, but will have to take it slow, and NO upper body work out yet.  Just another step in "back to normal".  :-)

Have you ever checked out Cancer Free Radio?  They do inspirational stories that celebrate survivorship and caregivers.  They did an interview with me in late February.  If you ever want to renew your faith in life after cancer, check out the amazing people here.

Warmly,


Linda

P.S.  Here's a preview of the "Tender Talk" basket, a positive way to talk to children about cancer.  It's available in pink and blue!

Blessings!....

WOW!  What a beautiful Spring day!  Sunny out, and it's going to be 70 degrees.   One of the many blessings of cancer is that we seem to enjoy life's simple pleasures...with gusto.  So, today we're out smelling the Spring air and looking for flowers and birds.  :-)

Warmly,

Linda

 

New Basket - "Tender Talk"

I'm soon ready for a new basket for my Wings of Angels website!

It includes things for kids, to help tell them someone they love has cancer.  It's built around the Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings "book to help guide you as you teach a child about cancer. We hope that its words and pictures will foster an honest and open dialogue between you and the child listening or reading along. Additionally, we hope that you will see the magic that Butterfly Kisses and Wishes On Wings Book has in bringing children to a clearer understanding of cancer, and the realization that they have great power within themselves to be an active and integral part of their loved one's cancer journey."

What's exciting about this basket for us (the book, art pad, crayons, coloring book, hug box, and tissues) is the reasonable cost (around $65, the cost of delivered flowers!)...and it's appropriate for any cancer diagnosis survivor that has children that love them. 

Warmly,


Linda 

Re-doing my medium size basket - the Comfort Basket

Comfort Basket

On the Wings of Angels website, the medium size breast surgery gift basket is the "Comfort Basket".  But I can't get the shawls anymore!  So, now the basket contents need re-thought.  In the meantime, I put a "Temporarily Sold Out" sign on the basket in the website...until I figure out what to do.  Yikes!

The WGAL story brought new folks to the website.  Jere Gish and his crew did a great job, didn't they? 

And my breast surgery recovery continues to go well.

So life is good.  :-) 

Warmly,

Linda