When my storm blew pink- my cancer story prt 5

When the day of my actual cancer surgery arrived we had a problem. My husband had to go see about a possible job. He fluctuated between going and not going, going to see about a job he badly needed or staying with me. I told him to go, my mother was there and I'd be fine. He didn't want to go and promised that he would be back as soon as possible, I watched as he finally left and mom stepped up. I just wanted this mess over with.




The youth minister from our church showed up and talked with me and mom. He prayed with us and then as I was moved from the room for a procedure that had to be done he followed along with mom and sat with her in a waiting area. As I was moved from place to place, mom and the minister followed along. Finally I was going into surgery. I watched as the walls passed by, I watched the ceiling, I saw the doors opening, and I saw no more.



I awoke to voices. It was over. My husband was there. He didn't get the job. He told me that they had got all of the cancer. A nurse asked how I felt and if I thought I could eat anything. I felt like I wanted to go home. I was given crackers and a glass of Ginger ale. After I had finished those I was helped to get dressed, my husband went for the car and I was wheeled down to the car. I was going home. Surgery was over, it was gone. A Lumpectomy- they went in, they got it out and they stitched me up. The surgeon also removed some lymph nodes to test for traces of the cancer. Needing to see if it had spread.



My husband drove carefully and slowly back to the house. He helped me from the vehicle to the bedroom. And that was the last I recalled for a while. I had to sleep off the rest of the anesthesia. My husband went and got the prescription for pain meds filled as our son stayed close by. Off and on during the day I would get up and move about. I called a couple of friends and family one time. The next time up I emailed a few, the next I managed to post on the social network of the day. Brief moments of clarity during a day of foggy brain and upset stomach. I thought, I believed, that the worst was over. I had no idea that 'worst' comes in stages.

One more Day-- What if?

One more day- the latest Relay for Life Challenge. What if--we had one more day? If we could spend one more day with someone special? Do you remember their smile? Do you remember those hugs, the special meals they created or the time spent enjoying those moments together as you enjoyed either a meal they spent time preparing, or even one out at a restaurant you both loved? Maybe it was just cookies and milk-water, soda wine.. out on a bench under that big tree out back. Maybe it was just hearing them whisper- I love you. One more day, what if you had one more day?




Would you walk along that path through the woods?



Would you hold each other and dance in the rain? Under a rainbow? under a full moon?



What if it was a child you wanted one more day with? Would you play in the puddles? Enjoy a county fair? Eat corndogs and cottoncandy until your belly hurt but it wouldn't matter because you had one more day? To hear the laughter and see that precious smile?



What if you had-- one more day?



What if- one more day, kept going?



What if- a cure was found? Because someone cared enough to donate that one more dollar? What if that one more dollar was spent on that one more test and that one more test was that Eureka moment and everything fell into place? What if???



My mother always made the same comment to me when ever I would say "If" "If a hoppy toad had wings it wouldn't bump its butt on the ground" Thanks mom--but I say.. IF, enough people help, IF enough people donate, IF enough people participate, IF we had one more dollar to help find a way, to give people one more day, to celebrate one more birthday... then maybe then, we can help fund the research, help find that Eureka moment and find that cure..no, we'll never be able to bring anyone back for that one more moment- but- we can with help, find the way to have them here just a bit longer..
 
Won't YOU consider donating to the ACS and support Relay for Life- through time, talent and yes money..won't YOU help create one more day?
 
http://main.acsevents.org/goto/Rebeccannc

Is

 

when you are diagnosed

you hear that dreaded word

one you have denied

can't be, won't be

is

your world falls out from under you

loss

empty

fear

what if floods your thoughts

tears run freely

can't be

is

walking in shock

moving slowly, mechanically

when you are diagnosed

nothing is the same

never the same

shock drives you

fear encircles you

can't be

is

now what, now where

talk to who

answers?

where are they

this means? That says

tests, tests and tests

stacked like blocks

one on the other

back to back

marks and tattoos

fears and tears

can't be

is

diagnosed

surgery

a nightmare

pain that follows

healing

then treatments

radiation

chemo

sick so sick

tired beyond tired

time passes

slowly

healing

slowly

fully

is

and before anyone asks, I'm fine. My cancer was back in 2008...but some things you never forget. Not that I want to. As long as I remember, I can share, I can comfort, I can listen in full understanding. I have walked that path, I know the darkness, but I also know the Light that guided me.

for each book sold a portion goes to Relay for Life

Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com

The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites

also @ Bookin' It, your mobile bookstore @ www.bookin-it.com

Available now @ http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945:

Blessed in His Promises

All books available @ Poor Richard's Book Shoppe @ www.PRBookShoppe.com

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/rebeccasrevels

Challenge and a really good opportunity for a good laugh

                                                            a little bug told me-




Challenge-opportunity for a good laugh here-

As I mentioned over on face book I have been thinking. That in itself is enough to make people either nervous or just go ahead and flat out run away. This however is for a good cause. The American Cancer Society and Relay for Life.

If you are reading this, then you probably already know that I am a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed and went through my personal battle in 2008. Now here I am cancer free and fighting to help other people join me in celebrating more birthdays.

One of the ways I do that is write- a lot. I'll post a lot of blogs, I'll send a lot of emails, I write columns and submit them to what ever medium I think may run them.

I talk a lot. Sharing with people what I know, what I have learned, where if I don't know something that they can find the answers they need.

I participate in Relay for Life. I spend the night- all night- of the event. Why? Because cancer doesn't sleep and on that night neither do I. Well, not much anyway. I walk the Survivor Lap. I walk countless miles through the night. I tear up as the Luminarias are lit and the lights go out. To walk past bag after bag with someone else's name emblazoned across it, brings a lot of tears. So many, cancer touches so many.

I also fundraise. I've sold things for Relay for Life, shirts, tickets for pancake breakfasts, barbecue, trinkets bangles and beads in the quest to raise money to help find a cure.

In the past few days I've been watching all of those Pink Glove videos on Youtube. Some are really good and some are a lot of people have a blast as they draw attention to the fight against (breast) cancer. So, my idea was--that if people help me to exceed my fundraising goal I will create one of those videos. Where does the good laugh come in? I don't dance. I have not really danced since I was somewhere around twenty years old. I am now 53..that's a pretty big gap. But- I would gladly embarrass, humiliate, and invite ridicule to myself in the process of raising money for a good cause. I will find a way to make this video one of good technical quality so that my lack of dancing skill will be clear and obvious. The video will be made at various places here on the Dirt Road and nearby locations. I will draft- um- enlist, the aid of my son in operating the camera so that it will be minus any gaps while waiting for me to enter the scene..

AND

If there are those that are seriously frightened of the prospect of seeing this 53 year old lady dancing-- I will also accept donations to keep me from dancing. Which ever gets the most- wins..actually, the ACS and Relay for Life wins. We just get to have a great bit of fun and a grand time bringing that about.

Donations can be made online on my personal page here or you can print out a form and mail in the donations directly to ACS..just tell them its for me. You can also make a check out to ACS and send it to me, contact me and I'll tell you where to send it. Or- if you're local and see me out and about I'll gladly accept a donation and count your vote for which-ever.

Also- my books are still available and a portion of each sale goes to Relay for Life.

The person who donates the most will receive a signed copy of one of my books- their choice.




http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=5704248&pg=personal&fr_id=33417&fl=en_US&et=1-Fkd99cdHEfbl--fhjg1w..&s_tafId=693231






Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com





The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites





also @ Bookin' It, your mobile bookstore @ www.bookin-it.com



Available now @ http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945:

Blessed in His Promises

All books available @ Poor Richard's Book Shoppe @ www.PRBookShoppe.com

Cancer Touches us all

Cancer touches us all


by Rebecca S. Revels on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 12:07pm

Many of us have lost someone that we love to cancer. Some more recently than others, some of these we may have been related to, were friends with, worked with. It doesn't matter how well we knew them or how close we were to them. It doesn't matter the cancer battle they fought- and lost. They have left us, they battle no more. We are here to deal with their loss, and the empty spot they have left.







There are those that have battled cancer, no matter they type, and have won that battle. Even those that have gone into the fight more than once. At this moment, they are with us. I am one of those. I am a survivor- as are those that have battled and are currently battling cancer.







We go into this fight, believing we can win. More than ever before- many of us now do win this, but not all.







We go into this fight, with the love, the prayers, the help of those that know and love us.







It is not an easy battle, no matter how early or late the cancer was diagnosed. It is not an easy battle no matter the treatments undergone.







We hear the diagnoses, and then we must decide who we are going to share the information with. We share that diagnoses with those that are closest to us alone, or with whomever else we chose, small or large numbers. We may ask for prayer, assistance or we may try to do this on our own. For our own reasons.







I remember, I will always remember the expression on my brother's face when he found out. It is ingrained in my memory never to be erased. That is one of the reasons I do the things I do in this battle. My cancer physically is gone. I was diagnosed, I had a lumpectomy and radiation. I am a survivor. But---I am forever changed. Many things in this life change us, for the better or worse.







My cancer has made me stronger than I ever was. My diet has changed, my activity levels have changed, my very thought processes...have changed. I find peace in my faith and in the simple things around me. I am more content in what I have, not seeking out the many material things because realization is, they won't keep me healthy, they won't make me happy. They are in fact, simply things. I have become more outspoken at least in this, my story.







While I was fighting my cancer, there were days, especially while I was undergoing the radiation treatments, when I felt as if it was impossible to put one foot in front of the other. I had no energy, I was moving, working, living on will power and faith. Even as tired I was during the day, I still took the time, made the effort to take a daily walk. There I found a great peace and the strength, to keep fighting. Many friends sent me cards (that I still have), many prayed for me, many sent me messages of encouragement. And I fought on.







I won my battle. I am cancer free. There are those- as I said- that do not. We are made less by their loss. Yet, we are made stronger. We look to this and we grow angry. We look to this their loss and we grow determined. We will fight to not lose another loved one, another friend, another co-worker- another friend of a friend of a friend to cancer. We grow determined that our best friend's mother, sister, father, brother will not lose his battle.







I do this by writing about it. By telling my story, by sharing what I dealt with, what I did, how far I have come. I do this, by my writing, and simply talking with those somewhere in the battle. I do this, by participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. I stay the entire night. I stay for those who have battled and won. I stay for those who have battled and lost. I stay for myself. I walk the Survivor lap and I walk the very last Celebratory lap. I watch the sun go down, the luminaries being lit and I watch the sun come up. It is my wish, my desire, my hope..to see an end to cancer. Part of that we can bring about in lifestyle changes, part of that will need those that work to discover a cure. But they need funding, that is where Relay for Life comes in. There are many ways to support Relay for Life- ask me, check in with your local chapter, as someone you know that is involved. Make a donation of your time, your talent, your cash.







Cancer is a terrible disease that shows no favor. It takes whomever it chooses. Let us, together, put an end to it. Let us work so that more of those that face cancer will celebrate more birthdays- healthy and cancer free.






                           --as always-- a portion of my book sales goes to Relay for Life--




















Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com





The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites





also @ Bookin' It, your mobile bookstore @ www.bookin-it.com



Available now @ http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945:

Blessed in His Promises



All books available @ Poor Richard's Book Shoppe @ www.PRBookShoppe.com

my yearly mammogram

                                relay for life- helping survivors celebrate more birthdays







As a breast cancer survivor, ever year when it comes time for my mammogram, the nerves start. I'm not so much afraid, but I am afraid. Not so much for myself, even though I seriously don't want to go through that again. Knowing what I know now. Seeing or hearing of others going through it is one thing, you can sympathize, offer kind words and go on about your merry way. Whistling a tune thinking the world is a happy place. When it comes knocking on your door, its an entirely different matter. NOW you understand. With each different test, procedure and treatment your awareness grows. Part of you possibly feels guilt and regret over how indifferent you seemed at other people's illness. Part of you may be angry. Part of you, is afraid while part- the strongest part, is determined to beat this new enemy.



I did not need to suffer through chemo therapy. I did have to have radiation treatments. The radiation treatments where first off embarrassing for a person who is very self conscious. To have to stretch out on that table and bare it all so that it all can get radiated is nearly as embarrassing as it is important. Even as the technicians have seen it all --this is you--and you are not comfortable with this. Second the radiation treatments to me- and different people react in different ways- the radiation treatments left me a walking zombie. There were days it was nearly impossible to put one foot in front of the other. There were days I would have loved to have pulled the cover up over my head and slept- for days. During the treatments I was weaned off of my junk food diet. Processed sugars and caffeine made the exhaustion from the radiation worse. There was a small amount of burn, like a mild sunburn. That didn't bother me too badly. I've had some serious sunburns in my time, this was nothing compared to them.



I still have the certificate I was given on completion of my treatments hanging on the board in my kitchen. Along with most of the cards that I was sent during treatment. Guilt came in there as well, I was receiving cards and messages from people I didn't know, encouraging me. Because of that, I will forever be more concerned over others suffering through the battle against cancer. Any type of cancer.



I'm no so afraid of the cancer returning, even if it meant my death. I know where my name is listed. I worry about my family. I can vividly recall the expressions that were on each face as they found out. The fear, the sadness, the realization that we will each have to at some point face our own mortality. Even as we may celebrate the fact that a life of suffering has ended and the person lost has opened their eyes in a much better place..we mourn our loss. We mourn that we are separated from them. I would not want my family to mourn, but as I know that I would mourn losing any of them, I know they too would mourn me.



I dread my yearly mammogram, not only because of the embarrassment, or the pain- and it does hurt being mashed up like that- but for the time spent wondering about the results. All manner of thoughts pass through as time drags by. And you wonder, what if the answer is, it has returned.



For myself, I believe that I would fight just as I fought the first time. I will do my best, to actually do better than I did the first time. At that time, I was not only battling cancer, I was trying to help my husband find a job- while working a full time job myself. I would have a better diet, exercise more, rest more and do my best to not stress so much. Things I am actually working on now- in the hopes of helping to do what I can to prevent its return. I have two more years of medication to take, hopefully once that is passed, then I will be physically handling the preventative thing well.



I hope that the time I have spent working with the American Cancer Society and their Relay for Life will help me knowledge wise should the cancer return. I know now, things I did not know then. What is available, how to find help, what they do for those battling cancer, cancer survivors and their caregivers.



I do dread that yearly mammogram- but I know how important it is for me. I want others to know, just how important it is and that it is not something that can be put off till next year or when ever the mood strikes. My cancer was caught early- thanks to that mammogram. I will celebrate more birthdays, I will spend more years with my beloved family and friends. I will work as much as I can, as well as I can with Relay for Life to help others do the same. Won't you consider it as well?













































a portion of the sales of my books goes to relay for life--



Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com





The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites





also @ Bookin' It, your mobile bookstore @ www.bookin-it.com



Available now @ http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945:

Blessed in His Promises



All books available @ Poor Richard's Book Shoppe @ www.PRBookShoppe.com

hey Buddy, can ya spare a dime??

Last year I picked up a sheet of labels meant for water bottles. For those that have not seen them the sticker reads in part, "Don't throw me away! I'm worth $100 Fill me up with dimes and you will have raised $100 in the fight against cancer!" It also has the Relay for Life logo on the side. I didn't do anything with the labels last year but remembered them the other day and thought-- why not? With all the water bottles that I have around this house it isn't like I have to go to any trouble to find one. There is also the fact that my family are notorious about not checking pockets very well and change is always showing up in my washer and drier.

So why not?

I took one of the bottles that I had just finished and leaned it over to completely dry out. Once that was accomplished I stuck the label on the bottle and my quest began. I will do my very best to fill this bottle with dimes, (in part just to see if it really does add up to $100) as part of my fundraising efforts for relay..

I have been carrying this bottle around with me since then. Today, I started my cleaning efforts for Christmas. I even tackled my son's room. I wanted to gather all of the dishes that hadn't found their way back to the kitchen yet, as I gathered them, I noticed the variety of change that he left scattered all over the place. There was change on the shelf, his desk, and all across the floor. Thoughts of more dimes for my water bottle, (I noticed that even though I had given him a bottle he had yet to place anything in it) I began to gather change. In the process I found all of the dishes he had in there and got his dirty clothes to wash. I ended up finding five dimes, those went immediately into my bottle. I replace them with a couple of quarters later. I closed the door to his newly straightened room and shook the water bottle now a few more dimes heavier.

I did the same when I straightened the master bedroom. My husband is bad about just dropping his clothing beside the bed and whatever change rolls out usually stays where it stops until I pick it up. I have a small container where I place everything he has dropped, including change. Going thru it I found he had already collected all but a quarter and a penny. Dropping those back into the container I finished making the bed and just as I reached to turn out the light noticed something shiny in the floor almost under the bed. Grabbing the dime I dropped it happily into the bottle.

I've made a lot of headway on the house, in the process my water bottle is much heavier, though a long long way from being full. I hope that when I finish cleaning my kitchen and start on this last room, the worst in the entire house I will have collected up a few more.

I sent the water bottle that I had fixed for James home with my step-daughter so her daughter could try and help raise money- I'll fix James another one. But this bottle, its mine, its my project. and, just as a warning and for information--

I'll be carrying this bottle with me everywhere I go as I seek to fill this thing up and see if it really does add up to $100- or more. So if you happen to see me out somewhere- I'm almost always at Wal-Mart-and you hear the jingle and rattle of change-cough up the dimes- its for a good cause. Because we all, in some way, shape or form, have been touched by cancer. Relay for Life, is the major "fun"draising event for the American cancer Society. An organization that is working to help more people- celebrate more birthdays by finding a cure for this terrible disease. Not only that, but these funds go toward a lot of other ways to assist people fighting cancer. It helps get them wigs, transportation, help with looks, attitudes and supplies-It helps, so that energy can be spent on the fight, and not all of the worries that come with it.

Please, support the American cancer Society and Relay for Life-we have all been touched. Its time to stop it..










Click here to visit my PERSONAL page.


If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=5704248&pg=personal&fr_id=33417&fl=en_US&et=BhVBp8Bl1I739prEVgv3yA..&s_tafId=693231



Click here to view the TEAM page for Team Ta Da

If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?team_id=807979&pg=team&fr_id=33417&fl=en_US&et=UjEx8v8D_04SaWVv54-yKQ..&s_tafId=693231












































Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com





The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites





also @ Bookin' It, your mobile bookstore @ www.bookin-it.com



Available now @ http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945:

Blessed in His Promises

I've been a bit busy today-

I spent the afternoon creating videos for my series: When My Storm Blew Pink. A series dedicated to helping keep awareness of cancer high. To help those considering the tests, or waiting on results to have hope. To encourage, to remind those who are dealing with cancer that they are not alone. There are people and organizations that are ready and willing to help them.

When my Storm Blew Pink, a preamble


When My Storm Blew Pink, on the soapbox

When my Storm Blew Pink, I stand a champion

When my Storm Blew Pink, chapter 2

When my storm blew pink

This is a link to chapter 2 of what is to be a series of videos dealing with when I went through my battle with breast cancer back in 2008. I'm fine now- but my desire is to help everyone that I can in all ways that I can.  When I went through my personal battle I did a lot of writing, whether it was online blogs or newspaper columns. The videos are readings from those writings.
The thought behind the videos was to make it more real. Thinking that if you could see the person behind the writings it would be more than mere words on a page.
 Trying to make the video is an adventure in itself. Being one that prefers to be behind the scenes placing myself up front is a bit uncomfortable. But, as I said, I want this to be more real so I will adjust and learn.
Trying to get the camera in just the right position is fun. I'm doing all of this myself so I'm using a Relay for Life banner as the first thing seen and last thing as I walk into and out of the scene. Then if I don't make mistakes in creating the video--which usually happens which means repeated attempts until I get an acceptable video--I have to get the video uploaded into the computer and saved. I'm learning how to create movies with the computer and get those posted to youtube.
If you get a chance- take a look at the video. Let me know what you think- and if you know someone that may benefit frm seeing the videos- then by all means share them.
I'll be posting updates as to when the next video is up-

and a new adventure begins- raising cancer awareness

As a breast cancer survivor I participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. I have from right after my diagnoses. I participate, because I know how it feels. I know the looks and the emotions and the fear, that you feel, and that those who love you feels. I have watched friends of mine who have won the battle and those who lost their personal battle.
I do what I can as an individual, and as a part of a Relay team. As one we raise money and we raise awareness of cancer and everything that the American Cancer Society does for those that are in the battle.
When I was in the midst of my own battle I wrote columns that appeared in a local paper. I also wrote numerous blogs on the topic. I have a profile page online on the Relay for Life web site. Last year I posted a series of blogs titled "Blindsided". This year I am doing something a little bit different and posting videos on youtube. These will be recorded from various sites here and around the Dirt Road. The first of the series was posted a little earlier today. Find it here:  When my storm blew pink.   It is a compilation of my reading from things I have written and comments and observations from the heart.
Listen to the wind blowing as I speak- the winds of change as we work to find a cure for cancer. The winds caused by more people blowing out candles as they celebrate more birthdays.
The one thing I ask, please support the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. Join a team, create a team. Participate in fundraisers or raise funds on your own. Participate in Relay, the all night walk that is meant to bring awareness of cancer. An amazing night of fun, fundraising, music and laughter while all the while remembering the reason we are there. Donate your time, your talent and yes- your money.
Participate and help the ACS as they work to find a cure. Participate and help the ACS as they help those battling cancer with the physical, mental and emotional things that cancer patients and their caregivers need.
Please view my video and if you think it will be of any help for someone you know in their battle feel free to share it with them-

Relay for Life

This will be short as I have a meeting to attend.

I am a cancer survivor. I participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. It is my desire to help make it possible for every person who battles cancer to be a survivor.

I will be posting info on Relay, on the American Cancer Society and the events that will be going on between now- Kick off night-- and relay which happens in May..

Relay- join us- its fun, its exciting, its worthwhile.. it is one way we can make a difference--


While this blog I will leave short- even as I started to change it- but I will add that this is just the beginning. I plan on making posts on what happens as we travel through toward and right up to our Relay event--please join me in this venture-