Well, the weekend descends quickly and I am still limping along. I am hoping and praying that another two days will do the trick. My broken toe still refuses to settle well into my nice Dr.Scholl runners.

The Winner's Walk of Hope 5km walk is Sunday already and I am absolutely pumped about going and doing my part to help my 'sisters' with early detection of ovarian cancer. Amanda just may have to pull me in Jocelyn's little wagon. But I am going one way or the other. Move over Trenton!

I would not want anyone to go through what I went through last year. The wretched, bittersweet chemotherapy got me through, but the journey was rough. So if a portion of the funds raised by our Sunflower Seeds team helps with the early detection of ovarian cancer in even one sister, it will be all worthwhile.

I read a quote from Dr. William Hamilton, a lead U.S. researcher on a recent survey of ovarian cancer symptoms. He said, "Ovarian cancer is not silent, it's noisy. It's just that we're not very good at deciphering the noise."

When I first heard that, I thought he might be right. But on further pondering, I wanted to wallop the nice man. The symptoms of ovarian cancer to many women are silent. I still maintain that.

Many women with bloating (the biggie) just think that they are menopausal or are eating the wrong things. When I consider my symptoms they were basically silent. I barely even noticed the bloating. And I sure did not have any loss of appetite - another symptom. I had no nausea or weight loss (fat chance) nor did I have any bleeding. Looking back now, I did have fatigue and a few other vague symptoms, but nothing that would scream 'cancer.' However, the growth in my abdomen was my biggest symptom, although I tried to slough it off as my uterus doing a pre-menopausal flip-flop.

Perhaps I am being a little hard on Doc. Hamilton; maybe I'm ticked because he doesn't have a uterus. But I suppose, when I re-read what he said, it is all about getting educated and making a noise in that manner. So as I walk this weekend I will do just that as I think and pray for all my OC sisters who have gone before me or who are just starting out on their journeys.

This Sunday I will walk with my head held high, with a little limp in my gait, with praise and thanksgiving in my heart for those who sponsored me, and a whole lot of gratefulness to God for extending my 'breatheability' a little longer so that I can savour this precious moment called life!

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FYI

Physical symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
abdominal discomfort or pelvic pain
bloating
difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
frequent urination
fatigue
backache
nausea, indigestion, loss of appetite
weight loss
change in bowel habits
gas
pain during intercourse
abnormal vaginal bleeding (rare)

Random Acts...

I read an interesting yet troubling article in the newspaper yesterday. It was a good article and definitely had a positive and uplifting angle yet I couldn't help feeling a little downhearted about what I read.

Random Act of Kindness Day Approaches was the headline. Apparently a day has been set aside to challenge everyday folk into doing a random act of kindness and then they have to encourage others to do the same thing by handing out preprinted cards that indicate that the recipient of one act should pass it on or pay it forward.

I love the concept. I am not fond of the idea that we need to be told to do this and that we need a special day to remind us how good and right it is to be kind. Why can't we do this without being prompted? Why does the media have to be part of it? Why do we need cards to remind us that kindness brings joy to the soul.

I say we challenge ourselves to random acts of kindness on a daily basis. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we took up that banner? Can you imagine? Manners might resurface. Patience will be the norm. Road rage and stress induced diseases would be a thing of the past.

I recall so many acts of kindness that happened last year as I was going through my chemo. I remember especially Darlene who gave and gave and gave. As I tried in vain to pay her back or at least talked about how I would pay her back for all her kindness, she reminded me that I needed to pay it forward! Sound advice if you ask me!

Kindness is more than deeds, though. According to author, C. Neil Strait, Kindness is an attitude, and expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts a person. I like that. Really, when you stop and think about it, being kind is not a big imposition. Try it sometime. They say that if you do something three times, then it becomes a habit. Kindness is one of those nice habits.

I'm thinking Jesus did not have little cards that He handed out every time He showed kindness to others. I'm thinking that if He did, he would have needed a mighty big satchel!

I read this somewhere, too: If someone were to pay you 10 cents for every kind word you ever spoke and collect 5 cents for every unkind word, would you be rich or poor? Hmmm...

Check out this lovely, encouraging video. How can you show someone a random act of kindness? Don't wait for November or until someone gives you a card. Someone needs you today. Go get some flowers.

Hop Along!

Ouch! My toe hurts. And they say there is naught that any medical soul can do to make it better!

Last evening I banged my toe rather ungracefully and the result is one sore and broken digit. I am hopping along and still managing to get from point A to point B, though, so that is a good thing. There seems to never be a dull moment around this house!

I wish God could grant me about six more hours in a day, and then I might get some things completed. Sigh. The beat goes on.

I am in a little bit of a frenzy as I try to wrap up my fundraising for my Winners Walk of Hope. And of course I break my toe before my 5km walk! I am bound and determined that I will walk the whole route - broken toe or not, though! Amanda said she would pull me in the wagon along with Jocelyn if needs be! She's a good girl. :) We journey on...

"Nobody can take my joy away from me unless I let them."