Okay, so it's not Friday but..

So,

I don't usually post on Sunday, but like I said I was only going to write when I thought it it was important. Well, it is.. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition does it again with one of the most touching episodes I have seen to date. This show featured the Creasey family. This family of five consists of Tricia and William along with their three children, Brittany, McKenzie and Michaela;This courageous is facing , the biggest challenge of their lives- with their mother facing stage IV colon cancer. Despite this devastating diagnosis and countless chemotherapy treatments, the mother (Tricia) still manages to maintain her job as a teacher at a local high school.

"It's very hard to think of what may happen, but you find that strength from somewhere to keep on going," Tricia says.

In her spare time, Tricia uses her story in an effort to create awareness about colon cancer. She currently serves as survivor chair in Relay For Life, a foundation focusing on early diagnosis and prevention of the disease. In the midst of the chaos, home improvements are the least of their worries.

"Right now, we're spending close to $1, 400 a month just on chemo treatments whether we pay a medical bill or replace a window, there's no second thought. Tricia has to have this chemotherapy to stay alive," says her husband, William.

With the help of country singer Jewel, the team builds a log cabin with a contemporary family feel while the family is away enjoying a fun filled vacation at Disney World. Their primary goal was to create a medically safe environment for her, while creating a family centered atmosphere to make memories that would last a lifetime. Head designer Ty Pennington focuses on Tracy, hoping to give her her own personal space to recharge.

"When you go inside, the [old house] looks fine. But there's no way she can get any rest and relaxation in her own home.. She can't even go to the bathroom and have privacy and for someone going through chemo, they need a place to recharge. This week, we're going to give her that." he says.

The focus for the girl's rooms? For eldest daughter, Brittany, a visit to Paris would become the theme. On the other hand, a world full of games would be ahead for the youngest twins, McKenzie and Michaela.

-- --
Citation for TV Program: "The Creasey Family" Extreme Makeover: Home Edition , ABC channel 7 WJLA. January 31 at 8 PM

Encouragement:Anna Johannes

Hey Guys,

I'm liking the new goals I've set for myself in this blog; I'm thinking God agrees with me because there seems to be more news segments on disability lately. This one featuring 16-year-old Anna Johannes. She is not your typical swimmer. Born with only a part of left arm, she hasn't let that stop her from accomplishing your dreams. She has already won five gold medals participating in disabled events involving swimming in Colombia.

She also hopes to pursue her dreams of becoming a more accomplished swimmer and participate in the 2012 Paralympic games. In order to prepare herself, she attends practices at 4: 45 AM with other nondisabled swimmers.

"The kids just want to be seen as all other kids not a disabled first. For instance, in Anna's case, I'm a swimmer who just happens to have part of her arm." Said Diane Johannes

Citation for TV Program: "Anna Johannes " News segment Lindsay Murphy reporting, Fox channel 5 WTTG Washington DC, News at 10 pm, January 25, 2009

Enough with catching up.. starting fresh

Welcome back,

So it seems like I have been on a long sabbatical- taking time out for myself, working on my book, and spending a lot of time with family. Try as I might, this blog has become less of a daily activity for me. I am almost 30 years ago now and well it's hard to juggle everything (as I'm sure most to you will agree!) That being said, this blog will be updated whenever possible; but I'm not pressuring myself anymore to get it done. I have proven myself that I can maintain a blog and deal with the reality of real deadlines. It's about time I started getting out there and living my life. My readers would probably appreciate this blog more if it had more quality articles rather than quantity. That's going to be my new goal- providing new and up to date information.

Today's topic of information: A Nick News Special aired last night entitled "The Face of Courage: Kids Living with Cancer". This 30 minute program openly discusses in child- friendly terms what it means to have cancer, its treatment, and the overall physical as well as emotional impact of the disease. I know what you are thinking, "But it's not a disability.." In its own way, it can be. These kids are limited sometimes by what they can do because of the cancer. They are sometimes treated differently because of their circumstances; they are often considered "contagious". But as Linda Ellerbee explains, "Today, the diagnosis of cancer is not an automatic death sentence. You're about to meet some kidswho are living with cancer and although the road these kids travel is not an easy one, it is a road paved with hope, strength, and courage."

At its core, cancer is a disease categoried by "bad" cells self replicating to create tumors. These spread rapidly, destroying destroying the healthy tissue or bone. This can occur throughout the body, depending on the type of cancer someone has.

"Your life just changes the minute you find out," one girl says.

There are three types of treatment when dealing with cancer. The most typical is chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy is a powerful combination of drugs usually given through an IV in an effort to destroy the cells. Radiation, on the other hand, shoots x-rays directly to the impacted area, in effect shrinking the cancer. Typical side effects of chemotherapy include nausea and the loss of one's hair.

This disease is not something you can get over, it often requires reoccurring doctor appointments and medical related treatments. This can result in a lot of kids being homeschooled or kept out of school .Tantyani from Avon, Massachusetts was in the hospital for seven months for leukemia (cancer of the blood)

"You never knew how precious life was to you until you're at the hospital while the rain is dripping down, you feel all this emptiness. Meanwhile, you learn all of these new life lessons, like instead of being depressed and mad, create something from that." She said

In some scenarios, however, it requires a more aggressive solution. This was the case of Alexandra from Brooklyn New York and Hector from Bronx, New York. Alexandra had to have a right leg removed because it was spreading so quickly while Hector had to his right eye removed because he had cancer of the soft tissue around the eye.

"It was hard because I knew I was going to look different from other people," Hector said

This special was very informative and I apologize I was not able to copy all of the inspirational quotes from the show. This show skipped from scenario to scenario and it was difficult to keep track of who said what. I have included the show information below for those who want to inquire more.

---

Citation for TV Program: "The Face Of Courage: Kids Living with Cancer" , Nickelodeon Prime Time Channel 253 , at 11 PM, January 24, 2010