Charity Cancer Research

My very dear friend, Susan, passed away this morning after battling with cancer for the 2nd time. Yes, the tears still come, even though I have been preparing myself, the sadness is still heavy within me, my brain is scrambling because I know I will never see her again in this lifetime. I miss her so much. So much.

She's wasn't perfect, no one is; but she was a perfect friend. Always there to listen, always there to laugh and smile and tell an off-color joke if she thought you were feeling blue. She was always ready to share herself, whether it was with a hug, a smile, or a shoulder to cry on.

She loved get-togethers with friends and family and you never knew what was going to happen when she was around. She was a catalyst and things just happened in her presence! She was a klutz, always walking into things, tripping over her own feet (or sometimes yours), but always just able to laugh at herself and have everyone around her join in. Not to make fun of herself, but to accept what was and just enjoy life as it happened. She was someone who was so enjoyable to be around. She was contagious, and you just loved life when you were around her.

Again, she wasn't perfect, but she was a perfect friend.

I've found that today, feeling a part of me lost without her, I keep thinking of the great times we've had together. And I realize that I have A LOT of good memories with Susan. Quiet talks, LOUD, gossipy sessions (you know, the gabfests girls can have when they get together!), going out to dinner with a group, going shopping, sharing "kid" stories and comparing childbirth horrors, holiday parties and, of course, the BIG ONE, "dissing" the men we dated during our single years!

We got to know each other quite well in the 5 years or so we've known each other, so much that only each other knew certain things from the past, things you don't discuss with others you're not so close with. No judgments, no blame, just acceptance for who and what you are. Sisterhood at its very best.

Looking back through the memories, one keeps coming back to me over and over again. It lightens my heart; it makes me smile, even though my mouth still trembles, the tears keep falling, with the grief of missing her. I'd like to share that night with you all.

Susan loved to sing (and dance, and party, and just plain HAVE FUN!) and she had a decent voice. Now, me, I love to sing, but most people do NOT enjoy listening to me sing, but I have fun with it anyway. Susan and I had decided to have a karaoke night at my house and invite a few other girlfriends to join in. My husband had set up the karaoke machine in the family room (I'm hopeless with that kind of stuff), had grabbed a few plates of food, and hustled his way into the bedroom to watch TV in peace. Bless his heart, I never asked him to leave us alone, but he probably knew that being the only male in the room with the group I was having over would be detrimental to his mental health!

Susan was one of the first ladies to arrive and helped me set out plates of snacks on the counter; made sure the ice was in the cooler and helped me give out more directions to the ladies having a hard time finding my house. Things started "rocking" around 9pm, we were all drinking soda and iced tea, but anyone watching would have thought we were drinking hard stuff. It was LOUD! We were laughing our heads off and howling out tunes along with Tina and Aretha. We were all punch drunk silly sounding and having a grand time.

Then came the moment, Susan found "I'm a Brick House" on a karaoke CD and grabbed a microphone! Yikes, her favorite song! The music started, Carmen and Sandria grabbed mikes and stood up with her, and the threesome started belting out the song! WOW can't begin to share the picture of what was going on in my living room that night. These three wonderful friends, all lovely in their own ways, swinging their hips, faces glowing and eyes shining, singing in perfect tandem to "I'm a Brick House"!

Needless to say, there wasn't a song the rest of the night that could compare with that one! Until the evening slowed down and the ladies started leaving, that one song was all anyone could talk (AND LAUGH) about. The next day at work (we all worked together) that song was all we could talk about! Three years later and that night, THAT SONG, is what we still all talk about!

We had ladies that didn't make it that night that made sure they attended the next karaoke night we had, but that first time, with that song, with Susan, has always been the night to remember. I've heard the saying "you had to be there" and I guess you do. Telling people about it, how crazy everyone was, how much fun it was, yeah, I guess you had to be there to really know.

I'm just glad that I WAS there, that I got to spend lots of time with my friend, my sister-in-my heart, and that all I have to do is dig through my mind and play a memory of her to get me through the next few days, the next few months, until it doesn't hurt so much anymore.

I believe that the "good souls" become angels and, as such, they watch over us and know what we say and do. Because I believe that, I know she'll hear me. Susan, I love you, I miss you, and I'm glad you're not hurting anymore. Peace be with you.

When doing some research about cancer and cancer charities, I came across a site that helps anyone affected by cancer with one-on-one support all the way. The name of the site is Live Strong.

While going through their site, I came across a wealth of information that may benefit cancer sufferers and their caregivers. Please take the time to visit the site.

I stumbled across a few articles in Prevention Magazine from a Doctor turned survivor of Cancer. Here is the link to access these articles on cancer fighting/prevention foods that we can all start eating on a daily basis.

If we can prevent even one incident of cancer, that will be a start!

Cancer Fighting Foods

What are some signs and symptoms of cancer?

A sign is just a signal that something isn't right in your body. These signs are often seen or found by someone close to you; possibly a family member, friend, or a health care professional.

A symptom is a signal of disease, illness, injury, or something that is just not right in your body. Symptoms are normally felt or noticed by the person who has them, and may not be easily seen by anyone else.

How does cancer cause signs and symptoms?

Cancer is a group or collection of diseases that can cause almost any sign or symptom, depending on where the cancer is, how big an area it affects, and how much it affects the organs or tissues of the body. If a cancer has spread, or metastasized, the signs or symptoms may show or appear in different parts of the body.

As a cancer grows, it may begin to push on organs, blood vessels, and nerves that are nearby. This pressure can cause some of the signs and symptoms of cancer. If the cancer is in a critical area, for example certain parts of the brain, even the smallest tumor can cause symptoms.

Sometimes cancer starts in places or areas of the body where it won't cause any symptoms until it has grown quite large. One example of this is cancer in the pancreas. They usually do not cause symptoms until they grow large enough to press on nearby nerves or organs (this causes back or belly pain). Others grow around the bile duct and block the flow of bile. This causes the eyes and skin to look yellow or jaundiced. By the time a pancreatic cancer causes these signs or symptoms,the cancer is usually in an advanced stage. This just means that the cancer has grown and spread past the place it started -- the pancreas.

Symptoms like fever, extreme tiredness or fatigue, or weight loss can be caused by cancer. This might be because cancer cells use up a lot of the body's energy supply, or they might release substances that change the way the body makes its energy from food. The cancer may also cause the immune system to react in ways that will produce these symptoms.

There are times when cancer cells may release substances into the bloodstream that cause symptoms which are not commonly linked to cancer. For example, some pancreatic cancers can release substances which may cause blood clots in veins of the legs. Some cancers of the lungs make hormone-like substances that raise blood calcium levels. Because this affects the nerves and muscles, it makes the person feel weak and dizzy.

How can signs and symptoms be helpful?

Treatment always works the best when cancer is found early on, meaning it can be treated while it's still small and is less likely to have spread to other parts of the body. Especially if the cancer can be removed with surgery, this often means a better chance for a cure.

It's easy for people to ignore symptoms. People may not know that the symptoms could mean something is wrong with their bodies. They may be frightened or scared by what the symptoms could mean and don't want to seek medical help. Some common symptoms, such as tiredness or fatigue, can be more likely caused by something other than cancer. It may be easy to deem them unimportant, especially if there is an another obvious cause or the problem doesn't last for long. A person may reason that a symptom like a lump in the breast is probably just a cyst that will go away by itself. It's easy to fool oneself, but no symptom should be ignored or overlooked, especially if it gets worse or has lasted for a long time.

Often, any symptoms you might have will not be caused by cancer, but it is important to have the symptoms checked out by a physician, just in case. If cancer isn't the cause, a physician will help figure out what is and get it treated, if needed.

Everyone should know some of the common or general signs and symptoms of cancer. But remember, having any one of these doesn't mean that you have cancer -- many other things can cause these signs and symptoms, too. It is a good idea, however, that If you have any of these symptoms and you've had them for a long time or they get worse, to see a doctor to find out what is going on.

Unexplained weight loss

Most people who develop cancer will lose weight at some point. It's called an unexplained weight loss when you lose weight for no reason. An unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more may be one of the first signs of cancer. This occurs most often with cancers of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lung.

Fever

Fever is very common in cancer patients, especially once the immune system has been compromised.

Fatigue

Fatigue is extreme tiredness that doesn't get better even if you rest a lot. Fatigue may be an important symptom as cancer grows. It can happen early, however, in cancers like leukemia. Some colon or stomach cancers can cause blood loss, which is another way cancer can cause fatigue.

Pain

Pain can be an early symptom with a few cancers like bone or testicular cancer. A headache that just doesn't go away or get better with treatment can be a symptom of a brain tumor. Back pain can be a symptom of cancer of the colon, rectum, or the ovaries. Usually, pain due to cancer is a symptom of cancer that has already spread from where it started or metastasized.

Skin changes

Some of the signs and symptoms of cancer may be skin changes such as:

* Darker looking skin or hyperpigmentation
* Yellowish skin and eyes or jaundice
* Reddened skin or erythema
* Itching or pruritis
* Excessive hair growth

Signs and symptoms of certain cancers

Along with the above general symptoms, you should watch out for some other common symptoms and signs which may suggest cancer. Again, there may be other reasons for each of these signs and symptoms, but it's important to see a physician about them as soon as possible.

**Change in the bowel habits or bladder function

**Sores that don't heal or take longer to heal than normal (for you)

**White patches inside your mouth or small white spots on the tongue

**Unusual bleeding or discharge - not necessarily heavy

**A thickening or lump in the breast or other parts of the body, especially if it grows in size

**Trouble swallowing or indigestion

**Recent changes in warts or moles (or any new skin change)

**Nagging cough that won't go away or hoarseness

None of these signs or symptoms by themselves are a definitive indicator that you have cancer, however, any and all of the above MAY be an indicator that there is a problem with your body and you should check with your physician to get it checked out.

Remember, early detection of any kind of cancer is KEY to curing it!

Information researched from the American Cancer Society website.

A short while after Susan passed, I was able to create an American Cancer Society Mosaic page in Susan's honor. The site address is Here.

Thank you for any donations in Susan's behalf.