Helpful Links for Cancer Patients

I'm in that part of the recovery process where my arm/left side of my chest is very sore and I need to eat lots of protein and rest...so I'm limiting how long I'm at the computer.

BUT...

I wanted to share these links that I have come across in the past week...
Don't Waste your Cancer is 10 points about how to embrace your new life with a spiritual edge.

Lotsa' helping hands is a place to organize friends and family members that want to help. It's a personal group calendar specifically designed for organizing helpers. Now, unfortunately I haven't use it (yet) as my awesome friend Becky organized all my friends for me with a schedule and emails for after my first surgery. But when I told another friend (and cancer survivor) about what Becky did for me she shared this link and thought it might be helpful moving forward.

This next link came from a booklet sent by my health insurance company. Planet Cancer is a website for young adults faced with cancer. I didn't join and maybe you all can give me some advise about whether i qualify (I saw it written that it's for young adults in their 20's and 30's)...but if I'm too old (almost 41)...one of you may not be, and it looks like a nice place to meet others faced with surviving through this disease process. BTW, I'm totally ok if I'm too old...really :)

So much for not typing too much...I really hope these links are helpful to someone out there dealing with all these huge life situations. I've said from the very beginning, Cancer has been a gift to me. It has forced me to pause my life, reflect, prioritize and appreciate myself and all the wonderful people around me. I am grateful for it all, and with all the people around me giving to me and my family, I just want to pay it forward and help others in a small way.

Blessings!

September 11th approaches...what can you do?

My memories of that fateful day...
(please feel free to share your memories in the comment section below...)
On September 11th 2001, I was watching Good Morning America with my oldest daughter (then 19 months) and 7 months pregnant with my second daughter...my parents were about to fly to Florida and were preparing to leave for the airport. My husband was at work. I sobbed all day and couldn't get the images of the towers falling out of my mind...but you know...as horrible as it is...life gets hard...and it's up to each of us as individuals to make this world a better place for all. Do we let our hearts grow hard and bitter or do we stand up and teach a new attitude to our children?

(my creation for Em's Kindergarten teacher as an end of the year gift...magnet attached to the back and her school photo enclosed inside with more collage...it was fun to make!)

Vote this election and participate in any form of community government to the best of your ability. Don't complain about the country unless you are able to stand up and do something to solve a problem...yes, it can start with one idea!

My dad always taught me...
don't give me more problems...give me more solutions!
Let's try to live that way more often!
God Bless America...Home of the Free and the Brave!

Please join us in this FLY THE FLAG campaign and PLEASE info with everyone in your world asking them to also share it. We have a little less than one week and counting to get the word out all across this great land and into every community in the United States of America .

I was emailed the original but really hate to bulk emails like this and the blog is a perfect soap box...so here it is.

THE PROGRAM:

On Thursday, September 11th, 2008, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States . Every individual should make it their duty to display an Am erican flag on this seventh anniversary of one our country's worst tragedies. We do this honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds

Action Plan:

So, he re's what we need you to do ..

(1) Post the info on your blog. Please don't be the one to break this chain. Take a moment to think back to how you felt on 9/11 and let those sentiments guide you.

(2) Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11. Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't, then at least make it a priority on this day.

Thank you for your participation.

Things to share from Happy House Quilts's google reader

Happy House Quilts Shared Items at Google Reader

Why Learn About Children’s Art?

Art is important to children. It provides them with an outlet for creative expression that is uniquely their own. It helps them gain recognition and acceptance for their ideas and feelings. For the healthy child, art expression is a way to chart intellectual and emotional growth. For the learning-disabled child, who often feels inadequate, acceptance of the child’s artwork may be the first step in helping the child toward self-acceptance.

Excerpt from See What I’m Saying by Dr. Myra Levick.

I am a Master's Level Art Therapist, I will try to bring you more information about Art Therapy in the weeks and months to come! Enjoy!