My mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and will be going for surgery on July 11th and then at least a week of radiation therapy post surgery.
Her prognosis is VERY GOOD and they caught it at an early stage. Nevertheless, I was surprised when she told me and I'm still worried as is normal. But there's nothing I can do, it is what it is and the best thing is to just stay positive, particularly because it is the best case scenario, when it comes to breast cancer. I think I was more surprised that of all things it was cancer. That was something that never entered my mind. Our family history is more along the lines of heart disease and other issues, but not cancer.
Anyways, I want to put together a nice care package for her, since we will not be able to see her for a few weeks after the surgery (she'll have an open catheter (?) in her chest and will need to be careful of infection). I thought I would ask my fellow blog readers about ideas on what would make a good care package.
Please keep my mom and our family in your thoughts and prayers!
Here's what I've got so far for a care package! Throw in your ideas!
WOU t-shirt
Chocolate
Unscented lotion
All natural lip balm
Tea
Puzzles
Music
Blanket
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thankful
Another experience this week has made me very thankful for the things that I have, especially my wonderful and loving husband.
The other day my husband got called into work early because his co-worker's estranged boyfriend/husband (not sure) attacked her in the parking lot as she got out of her car. The guy apparently punched her in the face and tried to choke her. Just a few weeks ago she left with her young child to live with friends because of the abuse.
Bryce was called in by the assistant manager who found out about the attack only because she happened to be passing by and wanted to check on her friend. The police were still there when Bryce arrived and the victim was there just beaten terribly. She did not initially want to press charges, but was eventually convinced because there were a lot of witnesses. The police asked her to stay, but she left soon after the police did, because she learned that her boyfriend had went after her friends and kidnapped their young child.
I don't know any more at this point since Bryce said he did not hear anymore that evening.
I can only hope that the jerk is arrested or has been arrested and that her child is returned to her and she has a safe place to stay.
Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon story as horrible as it is. I feel so badly for people in abusive relationships ( I say 'people' because men can be abused too). It takes so much courage to walk away from them and even then, as in her case, the terror does not always stop.
I feel so fortunate to have a wonderful husband who would never hurt anyone, especially me. The man saves worms from drowning in puddles for heaven's sake.
I've never met this woman, but I feel so sad for her. I wish there was something I could do, but I'm sure the police offered to take her to the hospital and a shelter, etc. If anyone has an idea of something helpful, please let me know.
Abuse is so wrong.
The other day my husband got called into work early because his co-worker's estranged boyfriend/husband (not sure) attacked her in the parking lot as she got out of her car. The guy apparently punched her in the face and tried to choke her. Just a few weeks ago she left with her young child to live with friends because of the abuse.
Bryce was called in by the assistant manager who found out about the attack only because she happened to be passing by and wanted to check on her friend. The police were still there when Bryce arrived and the victim was there just beaten terribly. She did not initially want to press charges, but was eventually convinced because there were a lot of witnesses. The police asked her to stay, but she left soon after the police did, because she learned that her boyfriend had went after her friends and kidnapped their young child.
I don't know any more at this point since Bryce said he did not hear anymore that evening.
I can only hope that the jerk is arrested or has been arrested and that her child is returned to her and she has a safe place to stay.
Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon story as horrible as it is. I feel so badly for people in abusive relationships ( I say 'people' because men can be abused too). It takes so much courage to walk away from them and even then, as in her case, the terror does not always stop.
I feel so fortunate to have a wonderful husband who would never hurt anyone, especially me. The man saves worms from drowning in puddles for heaven's sake.
I've never met this woman, but I feel so sad for her. I wish there was something I could do, but I'm sure the police offered to take her to the hospital and a shelter, etc. If anyone has an idea of something helpful, please let me know.
Abuse is so wrong.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The Kindness of Strangers
Yesterday I had an experience that literally shook me to the core, blew my mind, etc.
I must tell you that this month has been particularly difficult for us financially. We've all been there, unexpected expenses, like a speeding ticket (me) or medical expenses. Bryce and I are pretty good with our money, but the reality is, it's just difficult given my salary and then Bryce's part-time, irregular earnings. Fortunately, we don't have credit card debt, car loans, house loans, school loans, etc. We are debt free and yet we struggle each paycheck. Some of it is that we eat out a little too much or buy coffee too much, gas is RIDICULOUS, but mostly we're just er...poor,I guess lol. Anyways, back to the point...
I stood in line yesterday waiting to pay for a few groceries, hoping that I had enough to buy them with the $11.00 in my bank account and $6.00 in my other debit account ( we're in the process of switching banks). After the final item was rung, I saw that I might not have enough and I knew we had used up our EBT card money, so I put a few things back. Insufficient funds. I told the clerk I would put some on one card then some on another. Insufficient funds. Sufficiently embarrassed I stood there wondering what to do. Waremart does not accept credit cards and oh yeah, I shredded my purposefully. All I wanted was to buy a few things for my friends birthday party.
The woman behind me motioned and the clerk said "are you sure?" and before I knew it, she had swiped her EBT card to cover my $7.99. I was stunned and touched. I turned to her and said thank you, and she just nodded in understanding.
Once I got back to the car, I just bawled, upset, embarrassed and touched by a strangers' kindness. All I could think was would I help someone in the same situation? I would like to hope so, but I'm not sure.
This tiny little Mexican woman was with her family. She had other mouths to feed and well not to sound judgmental, but she probably made less money than I normally make. And yet she still extended her generosity without much of a thought.
Having recovered my composure, I drove home and had a wonderful time with friends, but the whole time I was thinking about that woman. Later that night as I went through my receipts in my purse, I looked at the receipts from earlier that evening, one had my items listed and the debit payment and the other was an EBT receipt listing what had been paid for and how much was left.
$29.21
This woman had only $29.21 left on her card and she still covered for me.
I'm still blown away.
Granted, the benefits renew each month on the day of the last number of your social security, so somewhere between 0 and 9, but still it was an incredible thing for her to do especially at the end of the month.
I can only hope that some day I will be able to return that generosity.
Money is a difficult thing to talk about it. It's even more difficult to admit you just can't afford some things. I'm very independent and I don't like to ask for help, especially when it comes to money which increases my anxiety about it. We have to hold our heads up high and say, it's ok to be poor lol, because the reality is everyone in this economy is struggling in one way or another. More importantly we need to be thankful for what we do have. I may have no money in my bank account, but I also have no debt, all my bills are paid, a nice apartment, clothes to wear and a wonderful family that loves me.
This is all that matters in life. To have what we need.
I must tell you that this month has been particularly difficult for us financially. We've all been there, unexpected expenses, like a speeding ticket (me) or medical expenses. Bryce and I are pretty good with our money, but the reality is, it's just difficult given my salary and then Bryce's part-time, irregular earnings. Fortunately, we don't have credit card debt, car loans, house loans, school loans, etc. We are debt free and yet we struggle each paycheck. Some of it is that we eat out a little too much or buy coffee too much, gas is RIDICULOUS, but mostly we're just er...poor,I guess lol. Anyways, back to the point...
I stood in line yesterday waiting to pay for a few groceries, hoping that I had enough to buy them with the $11.00 in my bank account and $6.00 in my other debit account ( we're in the process of switching banks). After the final item was rung, I saw that I might not have enough and I knew we had used up our EBT card money, so I put a few things back. Insufficient funds. I told the clerk I would put some on one card then some on another. Insufficient funds. Sufficiently embarrassed I stood there wondering what to do. Waremart does not accept credit cards and oh yeah, I shredded my purposefully. All I wanted was to buy a few things for my friends birthday party.
The woman behind me motioned and the clerk said "are you sure?" and before I knew it, she had swiped her EBT card to cover my $7.99. I was stunned and touched. I turned to her and said thank you, and she just nodded in understanding.
Once I got back to the car, I just bawled, upset, embarrassed and touched by a strangers' kindness. All I could think was would I help someone in the same situation? I would like to hope so, but I'm not sure.
This tiny little Mexican woman was with her family. She had other mouths to feed and well not to sound judgmental, but she probably made less money than I normally make. And yet she still extended her generosity without much of a thought.
Having recovered my composure, I drove home and had a wonderful time with friends, but the whole time I was thinking about that woman. Later that night as I went through my receipts in my purse, I looked at the receipts from earlier that evening, one had my items listed and the debit payment and the other was an EBT receipt listing what had been paid for and how much was left.
$29.21
This woman had only $29.21 left on her card and she still covered for me.
I'm still blown away.
Granted, the benefits renew each month on the day of the last number of your social security, so somewhere between 0 and 9, but still it was an incredible thing for her to do especially at the end of the month.
I can only hope that some day I will be able to return that generosity.
Money is a difficult thing to talk about it. It's even more difficult to admit you just can't afford some things. I'm very independent and I don't like to ask for help, especially when it comes to money which increases my anxiety about it. We have to hold our heads up high and say, it's ok to be poor lol, because the reality is everyone in this economy is struggling in one way or another. More importantly we need to be thankful for what we do have. I may have no money in my bank account, but I also have no debt, all my bills are paid, a nice apartment, clothes to wear and a wonderful family that loves me.
This is all that matters in life. To have what we need.
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