Literally…Food that nature provides us in its original form.
That means
FRUITS….VEGETABLES….
GRAINS….SEEDS……NUTS…….
HERBS…..basically all edible plant life.
Of course now the questions begs to be asked….
What is false food?
In essence……
DEATH
Literally……Food that has been altered from its original form.
That means highly
processed foods made
with chemicals and additives…..
hydrogenated and damaged oils……
refined sugars…….starches……..flour…..salt
basically, dead food.
We all start out as a single fertilized egg cell smaller than the period at the end of this sentence. By the time we reach adulthood, it is estimated that we are made up of approximately 50 to a 100 trillion cells depending on our body size.
Every single day of your life
your body sheds an estimated
90 billion Dead Cells
to make room for
90 billion NEW cells.
Where do you think the body gets the raw materials required to make these new cells? Well, it can only come from on of these two means….
From nutrient dense true foods or
Over time, the body will steal nutrients from its own bones, tissues and vital organs.
We may be living in a modern age…
but that does always mean we are wiser.
There is this wise old saying….
An ounce of PREVENTION
is worth a pound of cure.
Nothing could be closer to the Truth when we are talking about our health. By eating highly nutritious true food, we can prevent rapid degeneration of our bodies.
Prevention has been practiced by ancient cultures for thousands of years…
It is well known in the East that disease is really a manifestation of imbalances within the body. By combining, enhancing and concenrating whole foods into specific formulas that actually nourish the body’s stressed organ systems,
the body begins to function in a more natural, balanced state.
Nature always seeks BALANCE so does your body.
Disease is your body’s way of Telling you that you are malnourished and out of balance. It is literally a cry for Help.
True food can help. Of course you can suppress this cry for help by taking drugs to mask the symptons, but be aware of the adverse drug reactions….
WARNING: May cause chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, muscle pain, drowsiness, depression, stupor, hallucinations, confusion, speech disorder, chest pain seizures or sudden death, just to name a few.
Over two thousand years ago, Hippocrates, who originally wrote the Hippocratic Oath, which all doctors pledge to uphold said,
“Let food be your medicine and let medicine be your food.”
Do you remember the old saying….Have we forgotten?
An apple a day keeps the doctor away?
Back when this saying was first coined, these was a ripe truth wrapped in the core of this meaning…
Unfortunately, now you have to eat 26 apples to get the same vitamin and mineral content that 1 apple from the early 1900’s used to supply.
Why? What happens? It is because we stopped replenishing the earth.
So does this mean we should forget about eating apples or other fruits and vegetables and simply depend upon multi-vitamins instead?
NO, because vitamins are only a small part of the big picture.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 29, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Ward Wright. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Ward’s Fund.
Ward Wright’s Story:
What seemed to be a simple visit to our pediatrician for a tummy ache turned out to be the most devastating day of our lives. Our son, Ward, was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma at age three and a half. A million questions raced through our minds but the biggest one was “how?” We had always made such a great effort to preserve our son’s health. The only conclusion we could come to was that it was just bad luck. On April 22, 2009 we thought we were embarking on a hopeless journey. However, to our surprise, this “hopeless journey” actually proved to bring more strength and hope to our family than we had ever experienced. Our family grew closer, our faith grew stronger, and we learned how to offer support to others who were traveling a similar road.
We have been overwhelmed and amazed by the volume of people and organizations, such as CURE, that have a genuine desire to ease the burden of childhood cancer. From the first day we arrived at Children’s Health Care of Atlanta at Egleston we were surrounded by people who have a real passion for finding a cure for this disease. But it doesn’t stop there. Not only do they endorse cancer research but they support the individual needs of each family represented. Our family has been truly blessed by their presence.
Ward is approaching the end of chemotherapy and is scheduled for tandem bone marrow transplants, surgery, and radiation. His spirit has not been shaken in the least by this dreaded disease, nor has his faith in God’s healing power waivered. He has fallen in love with our new “cancer family” and is able to find enjoyment in each hospital visit.
Ward just celebrated his fourth birthday and continues to live each day to the fullest. He has taught our family and all who know him how to fully rely on God. Each day is a victory in this battle with cancer and Ward can’t wait for the day when he can proclaim to the world that he is cancer-free!
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Ward’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 28, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Keith Towells. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Keith’s fund.
Keith Towells’ Story:
Keith Dewayne Towells, my first and only son, entered this world on March 24, 2003, weighing 8 lbs and 4 oz. The first 18 months of his life were ‘normal’ and he was perceived to be in perfect health. In October of 2004, that perception quickly diminished revealing an unfathomable reality: Keith was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia).
Keith’s treatment protocol included three intensive rounds of chemotherapy at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Scottish Rite Campus). He bravely fought through each round and bounced back with the uncanny resolve of a true champion. In January 2005, the doctors confirmed Keith was in remission and scheduled him for a bone marrow transplant to conceivably give him the greatest chance of being cured.
Keith’s bone marrow donor was his older sister Morgan (surprisingly she was a PERFECT genetic match)! The bone marrow transplant took place in Baltimore, MD at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Morgan was only 6 years old at that time, but she was very brave and excited to help her brother.
90 days post-transplant, the doctors discovered that Keith had relapsed; the Leukemia was back and even more aggressive. Unfortunately, there were no other viable treatment options for Keith, so I made the decision to take him back to the familiar surroundings and people of our home in Atlanta, Ga.
For the next month, we enjoyed all the comforts of home while suffering through the pains of not knowing what was next. How many more months, days, hours, or minutes were we going to be given to share with Keith? No one knew.
I am so grateful that we were blessed with 1 month and 8 days more, as Keith Dewayne Towells’ body exited this world on June 6, 2005. Keith peacefully passed away at home in his race car bed at the tender age of two. His physical presence with us was limited, but his spirit will thrive in our hearts forever.
My ‘new-normal’ reality, being a bereaved parent, is one I have found no word to adequately describe. There will never be a word. However, there is hope that no other parent will be faced with searching for that word. CURE is the epitome of that hope because it advocates for much needed pediatric cancer research.
Sincerely,
Keith’s mom
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Keith’s fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 27, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Elena Tate. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Elena’s Fund.
Elena Tate’s Story:
Who would have thought three little words could change our lives so drastically? Our daughter’s pediatrician said, “It is leukemia.” On April 6th of this year, our daughter, Elena was diagnosed. It felt like the world had stopped turning. We have to admit that at the time we knew very little about this disease or how it was treated and we were scared. We couldn’t believe that we would have to tell our nine year old daughter that she had cancer. We couldn’t process it all ourselves. We waited overnight before telling her. Three difficult months followed Elena’s release from the hospital. Elena was unable to do anything unassisted except eat and drink. We juggled work, weekly clinic visits, our younger daughter, Olivia, and learning how to care for Elena. After these first three months, life began to settle. We have been richly blessed with amazing support from our friends, family, church, and even strangers. They have helped us make this transition and continue to be there with us as we fight this battle against cancer.
Does Elena have a long road ahead of her? Yes, she will continue receiving chemotherapy treatments every seven to ten days for the next six months. She will not be off treatment until sometime in mid 2011. Do we find joy in each day? Yes, even if you have to look for it; it is there. Elena was a non-stop, very active girl before being diagnosed. She loved soccer, running, and riding her bike. She’ll be able to do these things again. Since being diagnosed with leukemia, Elena, now 10, has discovered new things. She loves cooking, photography, and scrapbooking.
While our lives have been forever changed, God has been in the details, and He has blessed us along the way. CURE Childhood Cancer has been one of the many blessings. Over the past five months, the work CURE has done has touched our lives. We spent almost a week in the hospital when Elena was diagnosed. One of the first nights we were there, a CURE volunteer delivered a tote bag to us. The tote included a booklet containing information and encouragement we needed to hear those first few days. During clinic visits, Elena loves talking to the CURE volunteers and eating the sweet treats they bring.
Elena has said, “It doesn’t really feel like I have cancer because cancer is such a big word.” Cancer is a big word, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) Though the road is long and there will be bumps along the way, we will take each day, step by step, trusting the Lord with the path He has for our daughter and our family.
Mark and Christy Tate
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Elena’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 26, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Catie Wilkins. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Catie’s Fund.
Catie Wilkins’s Story:
Catie Wilkins was the firstborn child of Tre’ and Jenny Wilkins. A slight gross motor delay led to an eventual diagnosis of medulloblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor, on her first birthday. Catie and her family were plunged into a world of doctors and surgeries and chemotherapies and medicines with little warning.
Catie’s treatments included 12 surgeries, 4 different chemotherapy protocols and 6 weeks of radiation. Her tumor continued to persist and eventually grow even through very harsh treatments. She battled cancer for 3 years and 4 months before succumbing to a common virus due to an immune system that was compromised because of chemotherapy.
Catie battled cancer for most of her life, but more importantly, she lived FULL for her entire life. Often people who hear that she fought this wretched disease for all but her first year feel that she must have had a rough existence. Folks who think this did not know Catie. She crammed a whole lot of living and fun and laughter into her all too short 4 years and nearly 4 months.
Catie was funny and tough, loving and mischievous. She was quick to tease her daddy and you should have heard her laugh when she pulled something off on him. Her favorite place on earth was the beach where she loved to catch hermit crabs and play in the sand. She was an animal lover, with dogs and tree frogs topping her list of favorites.
It’s impossible to capture the essence of Catie in just a few words. She was, in some ways, just a normal kid. But she was an old soul with a wisdom beyond her years. Those who knew and loved Catie were forever changed by the enormity of her spirit and determination to live FULL in spite of what life threw at her.
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Catie’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
Many people suffer from ringing, whistles, crackling in the ears. These sounds are continually called “tinnitus” by scientists. Their persistence because they are very disabling.
What’s more unpleasant, more annoying than hearing all day long (even at night) the noise in the ears? These invaders, they leave no breathing space, which leads inexorably insomnia, fatigue, depression, or depression.
Tinnitus is very diverse in their manifestations. They may involve one or both ears, giving you the impression that they invade your cranium.
They are from diverse backgrounds. They can be caused by illness or other circumstances “external” hard to identify.
The medical causes are, for example, infections, tumors, ear infections, circulatory problems, deafness, etc..
The causes “outside”, for example, age, Wax, dental problems, trauma, stress, prolonged or repeated exposure to decibel too high, etc..
This last question in particular, is that more and more young people suffer from tinnitus. The sonos nightclubs, mp3 players, stereos in cars are a major threat for young ears. The state seems to have been some concern by asking manufacturers to curb their devices. But there is still some way to go before everything is perfect. Youth education must be priority: too few are aware of the risks!
This diversity of possible causes that it is not always easy to diagnose and find the right cure.
Many tracks are exploited in recent years.
Traditional medicine can provide solutions in specific cases when the causes are medical. In treating the disease at the origin of tinnitus, they may disappear. Sometimes a simple hearing aid can also be mitigated significantly.
When the causes are not precisely defined, can be used, sometimes successfully, to natural medicine. The hardest part is finding the cure for everyone. There are so many different tinnitus that what may work for one person may not work for another.
The homeopathy, relaxation therapy, aromatherapy, relaxation, acupuncture, hypnosis, massage, yoga, mesotherapy, osteopathy – tracks are exploited and sometimes produce good results.
Finally, a healthy and balanced diet can help reduce problems caused by tinnitus. Healthier, your body will be better able to fight them. Avoid caffeine, tobacco, decrease your intake of salt, sugar, saturated fat; privileges certain vitamins such as vitamin A (eg carrots), B3 (eg oysters), D (fish, sun), E (soybean for example), trace elements (magnesium, manganese, iodine).
Of course, it is important that you consult a specialist before choosing a particular treatment.
Do not you despair. There is certainly a therapy that matches your type of tinnitus. It is for you to find it using all possible avenues to try to rid yourself of that haunting sound, haunting spoiling your life.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 23, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid John Michael Osborne. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to John Michael’s Fund.
John Michael’s Story:
I was diagnosed with Acute Myloid Leukemia (AML) on January 5, 2005 when I was thirteen. Although I had very few symptoms, 95% of my bone marrow was malignant cancer. I was hospitalized the next day for my first round of chemotherapy. I stayed for over a month fighting the side effects of my various chemo drugs. My next bone marrow aspiration showed me to be cancer free! Because AML is so aggressive, we had lots more to do before the battle was over to keep it from coming back. I had three more rounds of chemo to wipe out all of the marrow (even the healthy) in my bones, to prepare for a bone marrow transplant (BMT). My sister turned out to be a good enough match to donate her bone marrow. After her surgery, where two surgeons removed marrow from 100 different places along her hip bones, I was transfused with this life saving blood producer. 10 days later I was in ICU fighting for my life. I had developed several life threatening side effects from the chemo and BMT, including Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD), blindness, diabetes, VOD (liver failure), and Avascular Neucrosis (AVN). I have had almost 200 blood and platelet transfusions, taken more pills than we can count, had two central lines and a portacath, spent more time in the hospital than at home the year of my diagnosis, had 7 bone marrow aspirations, drove to Atlanta from my home, 4 hours away, once a week, for several months, lived in Atlanta for 3 months during my BMT, missed being in school full-time for almost two years after my diagnosis, had two hip surgeries to help my AVN, had two hip replacements, repeated my childhood immunizations, and been isolated from friends and family for long periods of time.
Through all this I have grown closer to my family and to God. I know He has a purpose for my life. Cancer is not the title to the book of my life, it is merely a chapter. Even though I have been lucky to become cancer free, lots of kids every year don’t make it. We have to fight for the day when there is a CURE for every kid diagnosed with cancer. We also have to aggressively pursue CURES with less side effects.
John Michael’s story in his own words
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to John Michael’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 23, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Abby Smith. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Abby’s Fund.
Abby Smith’s Story:
Abigail Grace Smith (aka Abby) has been battling cancer for more than half her life. In mid February 2006, Abby developed balance issues which were not allowing her to walk without falling. On March 3, 2006, Abby was diagnosed with a golf ball size medulloblastoma brain tumor at the age of 23 months old. She had a 100% tumor resection on March 6, 2006. Unfortunately, Abby developed posterior fossa syndrome within days after surgery which caused her to lose most of her gross and fine motor skill capability for a period of time. Abby initially underwent 4 cycles of chemotherapy, 30 days of radiation and then 8 maintenance cycles of chemotherapy (21 days on, 7 days off).
She completed her treatment in late May, 2007. Abby began thriving and improving and was a picture of health. After a routine follow-up head and spine MRI on September 28, 2007, Abby was diagnosed with drop metastases in her spine in multiple places. She exhibited no symptoms. All of Abby’s MRI’s and spinal taps had been clear to date with no evidence of cancer since March 6, 2006. From October 2007-March 2008, Abby endured three cycles of high dose ICE chemotherapy and a cord blood and bone marrow stem cell transplant. Abby spent 50% of this time in the hospital. Abby went on to receive 25 cranial/spinal proton beam radiation treatments during late May/June 2008. She completed her relapse treatment on June 30, 2008. Only two small places remained on Abby’s spine which continued to improve or stay stable.
For eleven months, Abby was on a 14 day cycle of Accutane as a drug/maintenance therapy. She continued to get stronger and thrive during this time. Fifty one weeks post relapse treatment, Abby had a routine follow-up MRI. Unfortunately, her scan revealed a grape size tumor in her head and haziness in her spine. Two inconclusive spinal taps raised further concern. Again, Abby showed no symptoms. Abby has started a metronome chemotherapy regimen with four drugs that are currently being administered at home on July 20, 2009 as we battle this second relapse. Abby has mostly recovered from her posterior fossa syndrome. She still has gag reflex issues, speech and processing delays and is still physically impaired with her balance issues and inability to consistently walk unassisted. She has suffered hearing loss from all of her treatments. We are continuing to pray for a complete and total healing and recovery.
Since Abby’s cancer diagnosis, she has lived out the meaning of her middle name. Abby is one of God’s special children and has faced all of her hospitalizations, treatments and pricks and prods with such grace that can only come from above. She is a very determined little girl and a true fighter. Her big blue green eyes and her beautiful heartwarming smile connect you to her immediately. She enjoys playing with her baby dolls, her kitchen, sticker books, painting, arts and crafts, books, and board and card games. She is girly girl from head to toe, loving the color pink, bows, jewelry and painted nails. She loves her family with the most sincere affection and is happiest when we are all with her. Our Christian faith has been our stronghold throughout our journey with Abby.
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Abby’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
Clincal studies regarding the medicinal properties of marijuan have been going on for over 30 years. We are only now beginning to see the numerous medicinal benefits that the plant has to offer and the results are amazing. It looks like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main ingredient found in marijuana, can do more than just cause an increase in the appetites of cancer patients. In fact, recent studies released by Harvard show that marijuana can cut lung cancer tumor growth in half, which also completely stops the spread of cancerous cells to any other part of the body. Mice used in the 2007 Harvard study also showed “about a 60 percent reduction in cancer lesions on the lungs in these mice as well as a significant reduction in protein markers associated with cancer progression.” Marijuana has also shown “anti-tumoral” properties for those suffering from skin cancer and brain cancer. Researchers in Spain have shown that THC actually makes brain cancer cells feed on themselves, essentially killing the brain tumor completely. Two patients suffering from glioblastoma multiforme, perhaps the most aggressive form of brain cancer, enrolled in a study in which THC was used to treat the tumor. Amazingly, both patients showed a reduction in tumor growth and neither showed any toxic effects from the marijuana/THC. We are beginning to see more and more medical breakthroughs coming from marijuana/THC and unfortunately the powers that be continue to ignore them…for now anyway…
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 21, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Joshua Metz. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Joshua’s Fund.
Joshua Metz’s Story:
On August 18, 2003, I walked my small son into the hospital for an MRI I was sure he didn’t need. A head CT in June for eye symptoms and headaches had come back clear; still the pediatric ophthalmologist had ordered this scan. I helped two nurses restrain him so they could start an IV in his little arm. I held him and rocked him as he screamed and fought and gradually fell asleep from the sedation meds. I stood in a hall and watched the nurses carry my sleeping son into a large room with a giant machine and lay him on a table. I watched them hook him up to oxygen and all types of monitors and strap his body down. Then, they closed the door. I sat in our patient bay for an hour & a half listening to the strange mechanical noises of the machine scanning my son’s head and wondering how much longer it would take. When it was over, the nurses brought him to me. He was floppy, drugged, and belligerent as he recovered. After he had awoken sufficiently I walked out of the hospital with his young three year old body in my arms, convinced it had all been an unnecessary trauma and colossal waste of time. I couldn’t have been more wrong. About five hours later I answered a phone call I never imagined I would receive. It was a doctor telling me a mass had been found in my son’s brain – that he had a tumor. A tumor we would soon learn was inoperable. I honestly don’t remember much about that day or the following week, but I do remember the moment of realization when I understood our lives had been changed dramatically.
Joshua is now nine years old, six years post diagnosis, and currently two years off-treatment. Since diagnosis he has persevered through two tumor progressions, 128 doses of chemotherapy over two different protocols, and two and a half years of outpatient therapies to battle symptoms of the tumor and side-effects of the chemo. Despite the many challenges of being sick for so long, he has managed to grow and thrive through it all. We have watched him overcome so much and develop great compassion towards others who are suffering. Because Joshua’s tumor is inoperable, and chemo has only stabilized it, we know our lives hold no guarantees for the future. His tumor could progress again at any time. However, we have chosen to live with joy and gratitude – and hope for the future. CURE Childhood Cancer is one of the reasons we can maintain that hope. Throughout everything, CURE has been part of our support system. CURE has not only provided family and patient programs and services, but they provide hope through their dedication to funding pediatric cancer research. It is through this research our doctors will be able to offer better cures and treatments to our children battling cancer.
Joshua’s Mother
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Joshua’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 20, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Eric Meraz. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Eric’s Fund.
Eric Meraz’s Story:
The story below is about my hero, my son Eric.
Eric was born on October 7, 2004. He was a perfectly healthy little boy, the only time he got sick was a normal baby runny nose and maybe one ear infection like so many babies get.
We were in Mexico on Christmas Vacation in 2006 he seemed fine on the way there. On December 23, 2006, I woke up to check on Eric around the time he would want a bottle. It seemed weird to me that he had not cried for his bottle. I went over to him and noticed that he was awake, and he was touching his little head. At this time he would have cried or called out for his bottle, but didn’t. I turned the light on to see him. Eric was having a seizure, although I had no idea what was going on at the time. I woke Rick and told him Eric did not seem well. Eric started to throw up but it was only water. Every minute after that was terrifying; Eric’s temperature was dropping. We rushed him to the nearest ER where he was stabilized, and then he finally started to cry. After an hour or so of monitoring him the doctor told us we could take him home that everything was all right.
Terrified of what just happened Rick, and I requested a CT scan or an MRI. After an all day wait, he finally got an MRI. We were told that he had a “mass” in his little head. The doctor advised us to come back to the US as soon as possible to take him to the pediatrician.
On January 2, 2007 we took him to his pediatrician. He asked us if we had gas in our car and to head straight to Children’s Health Care of Atlanta (Scottish Rite). Not knowing what to think at this time, the doctor told us he would be doing surgery on Eric on January 4, 2007. Eric had a five-hour cranial surgery to reveal to our devastation that he had a malignant brain tumor ATRT (one of the most aggressive and fast growing brain tumors). Only 90% of the tumor was taken out. He was then put on steroids, which made him feel hungry all the time; he couldn’t sleep, and had mood swings.
Eric began high dose chemotherapy two weeks after diagnosis at the age of 27 months. During his treatment he endured countless MRI and CT scans, sedations, tests, blood and platelet transfusions, spinal taps, not to mention the trips to the ER and many hospital stays. He lost a lot of weight and eventually had a feeding tube inserted into his abdomen to get his nutrition. I would try to get him to eat during the day, and at night.
Eric relapsed during the second protocol and there was evidence of some cancer cells in his spine. We still remained hopeful, he’s strength gave Rick and I our strength to keep hoping and never give up. He had another surgery where he had a VP shunt put inserted to help with the pressure in his little head. He faced all this with bravery and courage. All together Eric relapsed three times during treatment. During all this Eric looked healthy and was jumping and playing whenever he felt well enough. To our horror the cancer would not go away; it came back again.
The day Eric was going to start his third protocol (at home) he had another seizure. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance to ICU floor. We made sure we had all his favorite toys that he was going to ask for when he woke up.
The Lord had other plans. Eric was in ICU for three days, our sweet little angel had a stroke. We were told that there was nothing else they could do. The cancer had spread.
My sweet little boy gave all he had until the very end. He was still fighting. No parent should ever go through this pain of seeing his or her child suffer with this dreadful, horrible disease. No parent should lose his or her child to cancer. Please help make that happen by donating to CURE. This wonderful cause helps families like ours from the time of diagnosis to doing research for more treatments that may help other children survive. They can’t do it with out your help.
Amanda Meraz, Eric’s Mom
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Eric’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 19, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Christina Karem. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Christina’s Fund.
Christina Karem’s Story:
We had often discussed how devastating it would be to have a child diagnosed with cancer. How could you watch someone that you cherished more than anything suffer so much? Then we received Christina’s diagnosis, suddenly and only 4 days after her 8th birthday. She had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Christina was a happy, strong and very active little girl. One evening after riding her bike with friends, we noticed that the veins in her chest were very prominent. She had no other symptoms, but we called our pediatrician who recommended that we bring her in the following morning. We tried to remain positive, but deep down we knew that something was desperately wrong. Then, we were in the emergency department for a CT scan and the horror of a tumor was clearly imaged in her perfect little chest. It felt as though our hearts were being torn from our chests. Within 24 hours, Christina was in surgery for a thoracoscopy and biopsy, confirming her diagnosis, changing our lives forever.
Ironically, Christina’s greatest fear was of needles. She was to endure many needles. She received daily injections in the beginning of her treatment. She worked through her fear, and demanded that she give injections to herself. Her treatment included 6 cycles of chemotherapy. During treatment she was hospitalized twice with fevers, a sign of potential infection. With cancer treatment you fear cancer, but you also fear the treatment that could kill due to her inability to fight infections. We were fortunate that Christina was diagnosed very early and she has been in remission since the 2nd cycle of chemotherapy. Previous research had shown that children diagnosed in early stages of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma could be cured without radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is one of the biggest risk factors for future health problems, like the development of other cancers. We were so thankful that previous research made this information available to us and that she could be successfully treated without these risks.
Christina has never gotten angry about her diagnosis, or asked why. Although we tried hard to be brave in front of Christina, it was impossible to keep our fears hidden. She’d never seen this fear in either of us before, leading to her initial question, “Will I die from cancer?” We assured her that she would get treatment and would be cured. From that point, she had the ability to move forward. Throughout her treatment, she had faith that everything would be OK. She continued going to school, playing soccer, and having fun. There were so many times when she felt horrible, yet she never complained. She has taught us so much about courage, grace and strength.
Christina’s cancer is in remission and she has now been off treatment for 1 year and 9 months. You might wonder why you would be so exact, but every day off treatment is like a deep breath and the hope that this will mean a healthy, lifetime free of cancer. When asked for top three wishes at her oncologist appointment, Christina’s #1 was “I wish cancer never existed!”
By Karen and Kevin Karem
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Christina’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
WHAT DOES VIOLENCE AGAINST HOMOSEXUALS AND PEACEFUL OPPOSITION TOWARDS A BLACK MAN’S POINT OF VIEW HAVE IN COMMON? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. GET A CLUE PELOSI.
NO ONE CAN DENY THAT RACISM STILL EXISTS IN OUR COUNTRY. WE ALSO SEE MANY INSTANCES OF STEREOTYPES (LIKE ANGRY PEOPLE THAT CLING TO BIBLES AND GUNS) LIKE REDNECKS. I USE REDNECKS AS AN EXAMPLE TO SET UP MY ARGUMENT.
A BLACK PRESIDENT DEPICTED AS A WITCH DOCTOR ON A SIGN USED IN AN ORGANIZED PEACEFUL PROTEST AGAINST HEALTH CARE REFORM. RACIST? WELL IT COULD BE IF THAT IS THE LABEL YOU WERE ALREADY LOOKING FOR. I WILL TELL YOU WHAT I SEE. I SEE SOMEONE USING VISUAL ASSOCIATION WITH WORD ASSOCIATION. THIS REALLY IS NOT THAT DIFFERENT THAN BUSH BASHERS DEPICTING BUSH AS A COWBOY.
A WITCH DOCTOR COULD BE DEFINED AS A MAN WHO SUPPORTS UNPROVEN MEDICAL PRACTICES AND USES DISTRACTION TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD, OR THE WEBSTER DEFINITION: A PROFESSIONAL WORKER OF MAGIC USUALLY IN A PRIMITIVE SOCIETY WHO OFTEN WORKS TO CURE SICKNESS. (MAYBE I NEED TO LOOK INTO THE EXISTENCE OF WHITE WITCH DOCTORS.)
A COWBOY COULD BE DEFINED AS A MAN WHO SHOOTS FIRST AND ASKS QUESTIONS LATER AND VIEWS LIFE FROM A HIGH PLACE WHERE HE WATCHES OVER THOSE WHICH HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR, OR THE WEBSTER DEFINITION: 1.ONE WHO TENDS CATTLE OR HORSES; ESPECIALLY: A USUALLY MOUNTED CATTLE-RANCH HAND. 2. A RODEO PERFORMER. 3. ONE HAVING QUALITIES (AS RECKLESSNESS, AGGRESSIVENESS, OR INDEPENDENCE) POPULARLY ASSOCIATED WITH COWBOYS: AS a: RECKLESS DRIVER b: A BUSINESS OR BUSINESSPERSON OPERATING IN AN UNCONTROLLED OR UNREGULATED MANNER. (AND, BY THE WAY, THERE WERE AND ARE SOME BLACK COWBOYS.)
VISUAL CHARACTERIZATION AND WORD PLAY IS REALLY ALL I SEE.
PRESIDENT BUSH WAS ALSO DEPICTED AS THE JOKER FROM BATMAN. PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS ALSO BEEN DEPICTED THE SAME WAY BUT THE JOKER IS A WHITE CHARACTER SO NOW THAT OBAMA IS DEPICTED AS A WHITE MAN THAT SOMEHOW TO SOME PEOPLE MAKES IT RACIST. AT LEAST USING THE WITCH DOCTOR GETS THE COLOR RIGHT THIS TIME, HISTORICALLY SPEAKING.
BUSH WAS ALSO DESCRIBED AS ALFRED E. NEWMAN FROM MAD MAGAZINE. HEY, OBAMA HAS THE EARS FOR IT.
VISUAL CHARACTERIZATION AND WORD PLAY.
IF PEOPLE START BURNING CROSSES AND YELLING OUT OR WRITING THE “N” WORD THEN I WILL GET CONCERNED.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 18, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Tyler Copley. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Tyler’s Fund.
Tyler Copley’s Story:
Tyler was a very active and curious child growing up. He developed a great love of sports, playing baseball and basketball, and watching any sporting event that was available. His passion for The Ohio State Buckeyes, Boston Red Sox, and the Atlanta Thrashers was very evident in just about every aspect of his life. He could spout out any statistic at a moments notice and was quite proud of that. As Tyler grew up his compassion shined through when he was around kids with special needs, whether it was in the special education room at his high school or with kids at the hospital.
On January 15, 2002, Tyler was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in the left tibia/fibula with metastasis in his lungs. He underwent almost a year of chemotherapy with six weeks of radiation to both areas and finished treatment in November, 2002. A biopsy was performed at the end of June 2004 when Tyler began complaining of pain, but the biopsy was negative. After the pain worsened, a second biopsy in October, 2004 showed that Tyler had indeed relapsed with metastases to the lungs. After three years of “quality of life” chemo and graduating from high school, Tyler decided it was time to “go big or go home”. He made a huge decision that was not influenced by any doctor. In July 2007, Tyler had his left leg amputated above the knee to rid himself of the chronic pain and hopefully the cancer for good. He quickly adjusted to life as an amputee and worked hard to get back into “normal life”. Tyler worked hard at rehabilitation and began training to participate in a team triathlon for challenged athletes. He even started college. Tyler was very outspoken about his support for childhood cancer research and was always willing to do what he could for the few charities dedicated to research and helping kids with cancer. He would speak at events, write articles to newspapers, and advertise for any charity willing to help kids fighting cancer. He even allowed a series of articles to be written about his fight up to the very end so that others on the outside could get a glimpse of just what it takes to fight this disease.
Sadly, on May 27, 2008 Tyler’s lung CT showed many tumors growing in his lungs. Tyler chose to live his life to the fullest without any more treatments. He passed away in his sleep in the early morning hours of Aug 7, 2008.
Tyler told a reporter last year of his faith in God, and that he wanted people to know that being a Christian didn’t mean living a boring life. He told him, “Live for today, but prepare for tomorrow. Even if you don’t want to go outside your box, do. Go skydiving. Find the joy in your life. But be prepared, make sure you’re ready.”
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Tyler’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 16, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Julia Pinotti. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Julia’s Fund.
Julia Pinotti’s Story:
In 2006, we were your typical family experiencing the joys of raising our 2 year old twin daughters, Julia and Claire. They were growing, learning and changing daily, and we felt content and blessed. Then, over Memorial Day weekend our lives took a sudden and unexpected detour. We were out of town in NY when Julia got sick. Initially we were concerned that everyone in our family would have the stomach bug. Our concern shifted as Julia became more lethargic and could not keep anything down. After calling our pediatrician’s nurse line, we took Julia to the local hospital in east central PA near my parent’s home. It was an exhausting night of x rays, blood draws, IV attempts, etc. By the morning Julia’s situation continued to decline. I mentioned to the pediatrician the possibility of head trauma, since earlier in the week my aunt had fallen while carrying Julia. The CT scan revealed that Julia had hydrocephalus and needed immediate surgery. We decided to transfer to the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. I was anxious about the surgery, but thought, once the surgery was complete Julia would be fine. When transport arrived, my heart sank as they informed us that Julia’s condition was too critical, that she might not survive the drive and a helicopter was called. As I climbed aboard the helicopter with my 2 year old daughter in the back, everything felt surreal. When we landed, we were immediately ushered to a room and prepped for surgery to relieve the hydrocephalus. I was beginning to calm again. Then the neurosurgeon said he saw a shadow on the scan, which was probably tumor. I felt the floor give way and panic swept through my body I remember speaking the unthinkable; our daughter might have cancer, she might die.
The next day an MRI was performed. The tumor was on the brain stem, not a favorable location. This made removal impossible and surgery very risky. One week later, Julia had a craniotomy. 3 days later we were told the devastating news, Julia had an AT/RT, one of the rarest, deadliest brain tumors. She was given 6 months to live and less then a 10 % change of survival. Our two options were hospice care or a clinical trial with an incredibly intense protocol of chemotherapy and radiation. A few weeks later we returned to Atlanta and Julia started her 52 weeks of Chemotherapy and 6 weeks of daily radiation. We had many long stays in the hospital and scary moments due to treatment side effects. For 15 months our lives were turned inside out and upside down. We have been left with battle scars that run deep. We are one of the lucky families, we beat the odds. Julia is over 3 years from diagnosis and 2 years off treatment. She is about to start kindergarten with her twin sister. We pray she is healed and lives a very long life, but there is no cure for ATRT. Not yet.
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Julia’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 15, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Chandler Booth. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Chandler’s Fund.
Chandler Booth’s Story:
July 17 is a significant day in the Booth Family because it was on this day in 2003 that the diagnosis of neuroblastoma stage IV was confirmed by biopsy for our 14 month old son, Chandler. We’d known something was wrong for a few weeks prior, but this day all our hopes for another diagnosis were dashed. Our baby had widespread cancer and he was in pain and literally dying right before our eyes.
We allowed Chandler to participate in a clinical trial for the treatment of high risk neuroblastoma, as this was the most current treatment available for his specific disease and stage. This trial was just the doctors’ best guess at beating our son’s cancer, they offered no guarantees. It involved five rounds of significant chemotherapy, tumor removal surgery and two stem cell transplants which were a lethal dose of chemotherapy drugs and a life-saving rescue of stem cells. Once the transplants were done, he had to be sedated and radiated for several weeks. Throughout the nine months of treatment, we wondered which would kill him first, the treatment or the cancer. By the end of the radiation, he was only a month shy of being two years old! He’d done all this in diapers!
The treatment required our family to be separated. Mom was with Chandler at the hospital and Dad was at home four hours away working and caring for our daughter Betsy for her whole second grade year. Lengthy treatments are expensive and they test a family’s will; again with no guarantee the outcome will be successful.
Chandler is now seven years old. He has no memory of the nauseating chemo, the bone marrow needles, the mouth sores, the surgeries and the accompanying pain, or any of the life-saving treatments. However, we remember it all too well. Just because he has been off treatment for five years, we are not “out of the woods.” We try not to live in fear of relapse but it happens all too often with neuroblastoma. Cancer just should not happen to innocent children in the dawn of their lives. It is our hope that in our lifetime a CURE, a guarantee, can be offered to parents. Researchers say they are on the cusp of being able to offer a guarantee of a cure with enough funds. We have watched too many pediatric cancer patients die in treatment or after the doctors have tried their best. It is maddening to know that a cure is so close and all it takes is enough money to achieve this. Please consider giving to CURE Childhood Cancer to make this happen.
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Chandler’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
An ever-increasing amount of information about alternative medicine is entering mainstream media. Even with all that is being written or said about alternative medicine, many people feel they are not getting the facts they need to make some very basic decisions; they feel they still need to obtain some simple answers to some very important questions.
Because of this lack of knowledge or a trepidation they feel toward unknown terrain, many people are hesitant to explore the field of alternative medicine. For this reason, it is important to answer some basic questions. Below you will find the ten most commonly asked questions about alternative medicine and our answers. These answers will provide you with details about alternative medicine to help you as you begin your journey.
1. What is “Alternative Medicine?”
Because alternative medicine is many things to many people, there is no one-line answer that would define the term simply and clearly to satisfy everyone. This reason alone is why it can be so difficult for some people to get a clear sense of what alternative medicine is — and what it is not. The truth is that one simple definition can’t possibly describe all that is now considered “alternative medicine.” Given this, what follows are several “answers” to the question, all considered to be “right” according to various experts.
Alternative medicine is made up of a rich array of techniques, modalities, and medical systems that are, for the most part, still unfamiliar to the majority of the public. They are, therefore, as a whole, an “alternative” to what most Americans are using when they need health care.
Much of what is labeled alternative medicine comes to us from other cultures or from ancient healing traditions. For example, the use of herbs as medicine is an ancient practice found all over the world. Acupuncture comes specifically from ancient China and has been documented as being in use as early as 2697 B.C.3
Interestingly, some of what is labeled alternative medicine originated in the United States. Chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine (as a formal system of medicine), and osteopathic medicine all have their origins in the U.S.
Contrary to popular belief, many alternative medical techniques are used everyday by people from all walks of life. Prevention magazine’s New Choices in Natural Healing explains, “While the term alternative medicine may conjure up some pretty exotic images, many of these therapies are more familiar than you think. If you’ve ever massaged your temples to ease a headache, applied an ice pack to a sprained ankle, or listened to your car radio to de-stress during a traffic jam, you’ve already practiced some simple natural healing techniques.”4 So whether you were aware of it or not, it is likely you have already used alternative medical techniques in your own life.
In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that between 65 and 80 percent of the world’s population (about 3 billion people) rely on traditional (read: “alternative”) medicine as their primary form of health care.5 They further state that when these traditional medical treatments are introduced into Western culture, they are seen as complementary or alternative.
Many of the techniques and treatments in the domain of alternative medicine are also “packaged” under a number of other labels today. The more popular of these are unconventional medicine, holistic medicine, complementary medicine, integrative medicine, integral medicine, preventative medicine, and environmental medicine.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 14, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Kristen Sorrell. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Kristen’s Fund.
Kristen Sorrell’s Story:
In March 2007, the unimaginable happened in our family. Our then 3 year old beautiful daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. I had taken her to the pediatrician for what seemed to be some breathing issues. I thought maybe she had allergies. I never imagined that we would end up the next day being admitted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta on a whirlwind roller coaster ride that would last some 27 months. Over the course of those 2 plus years, Kristen Brooke endured extensive chemo via a port which was in her chest as well as spinal chemo that was administered sometimes monthly or quarterly. We spent over 30 nights in the hospital and missed an entire year of preschool. The protocol she was on also had her taking as many as 10 pills per night including steroids.
We watched our baby endure the most horrific things a parent could ever dream up, with such grace. She handled all the needles and medicines better than any adult ever could. We know that her strength came solely from God, and we are beyond grateful for what he has done in her life. That is why we will never stop fighting for every child out there who will be diagnosed with cancer of any kind. CURE does the most honorable work on the planet by helping to raise funds for research that will forever change the way young ones have to suffer with such a diagnosis. We believe that the families who came before ours did so much to save children like Kristen who came into this world of cancer many years later. Please help us so that this generation will be the last that has to go through such invasive treatments.
We look forward to the day when a diagnosis of any kind of cancer for a child will not be so catastrophic for an entire family. That day is within reach with your help. Please do not turn away.
Kristen finished treatment in June of 2009 and the port was removed. Her sweet little face represents the hope and determination it takes to beat this monster. We are blessed to call her our little conqueror!! That is something every family deserves including your own.
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Kristen’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
Un curé, un médecin et un ingénieur jouent au golf.
Ils attendent après un groupe de golfeurs particulièrement lents.
Au bout d’un moment, l’ingénieur explose et dit :
- Mais qu’est-ce qu’ils fichent ? Ça fait bien un quart d’heure qu’on attend, là !
Le docteur intervient, exaspéré lui aussi :
- Je ne sais pas, mais je n’ai jamais vu des gens s’y prendre aussi mal !
Le pasteur dit alors :
- Attendez, voilà quelqu’un du golf. On n’a qu’à le lui demander.
“Excusez-moi ! Dites-moi, il y a un problème avec le groupe de devant ? Ils sont plutôt lents, non ?”
L’autre répond :
- Ah oui, c’est un groupe de pompiers aveugles. Ils ont perdu la vue en tentant de sauver le golf des flammes l’année dernière, alors depuis, on les laisse jouer gratuitement.
Le groupe reste silencieux un moment, et le pasteur dit :
- C’est si triste. Je vais faire une prière spécialement pour eux ce soir.
Le médecin ajoute :
- Bonne idée. Et moi, je vais contacter un copain ophtalmologiste pour voir ce qu’il peut faire.
Et l’ingénieur :
- Pourquoi ils jouent pas la nuit ?
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 13, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Sam Robb. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Sam’s Fund.
Sam Robb’s Story:
On June 25, 2007, Sam Robb succumbed to cancer that had returned with a vengeance. Although he is gone from this earth, his spirit and vitality live on in all whom he touched over his very full but very short 20 years.
Whether we live for a short time or live to 100 years, we all aspire to make a difference in some way, and Sam did exactly that. We are honored to share some of the highlights from a life courageously lived and full of accomplishment, enthusiasm and commitment.
Like many boys, Sam was focused on sports – primarily basketball and football. At 6′5″ and 230 lbs. in the 10th grade, Sam was a “Can’t Miss” college prospect starting in the first varsity football game at Blessed Trinity High School in Roswell, GA. As a sophomore, he led the team there to the first varsity victory in school history.
This is where the story begins…
In the fall of 2002, a nagging stress fracture in Sam’s left knee had to be addressed. X-rays were taken and the unthinkable became a reality…the diagnosis of bone cancer.
The medical term is osteosarcoma, which is bone cancer that presents itself in young people during growth spurts. The bad cell says, “I’m taking over,” and within three days, the protocol was set:
• Three months of chemo pre-surgery;
• Limb salvage surgery (versus amputation), which is essentially a knee replacement in a 16 year-old boy.
• More chemo to eradicate the cancer.
Unfortunately, Sam’s response to chemo was poor, with a 50% necrosis (tumor kill) putting him into a high-risk group. His odds for survival dropped from the 75% survival after five years class, to considerably less.
Most normal people would be despondent, angry…Not Sam! After hearing the news that his promising football career was over, he embarked on a new challenge as a baseball pitcher. Although it did not come easy, particularly with a prosthetic knee, he managed to play for a highly competitive East Cobb team, pitching and winning the final game of a world series in Tampa. Although he never would achieve elite athletic status, he loved being part of a team.
After high school graduation, he went on to Young Harris College, where he was a member of the baseball team. He was enrolled at Clemson University for fall 2007, but unfortunately, this would never come to fruition.
Osteosarcoma, when it reoccurs, tends to present in the lungs. In the spring of 2007, Sam began to experience fatigue and discomfort in his lungs. Eventually, he felt compelled to get things checked out. After four and a half years, Sam and his family felt that he had beaten the cancer demon. His previous scans were in the fall of 2006, with no signs of cancer present. In June 2007, a grapefruit sized mass was discovered to have grown and taken over his lungs and chest cavity.
Sam was dying from cancer. A number of nationally renowned doctors felt the surgery to remove the tumor was life-threatening. Eventually, a brave surgeon agreed with Sam to go for the “long ball” and remove the tumor…and a lung.
The weekend before surgery, Sam planned what would prove to be a real fare well tour. He visited UGA, attended Braves’ games and held court in the family’s basement.
He knew the severity of the surgery and he knew his time was limited. Sam never made it off the operating table. The tumor was too difficult to extricate.
In many ways, the outcome was blessed.
Sam never wanted sympathy, nor did he ever act like a sick person. He was good at everything except one thing – being sick.
He is gone but will never be forgotten. In many ways, he was bigger than life. His mantra, “Fightin Till the Last Breath,” lives on in all who knew him.
Friends,
We never can grow tired of remembering Sam’s story. The Sam’s final comforting words to me, “Mama go inside (surgical waiting room) and make a friend”. The blessing Sam gave us was friends and many of them. Only with the support of friends can we cope with our loss and channel our energies into a new fight of conquering childhood cancer, in Sam’s memory. Thank you for your support of The Sam Robb Fund, which encompasses all aspects, including financial support with a contribution of any amount or your participation in an event that memorialize Sam’s spirit.
Friends,
We never can grow tired of remembering Sam’s story. Sam’s final comforting words to me, “Mama go inside (surgical waiting room) and make a friend”. The blessing Sam gave us was friends and many of them. Only with the support of friends can we cope with our loss and channel our energies into a new fight of conquering childhood cancer, in Sam’s memory.
Thank you for your support of The Sam Robb Fund, which encompasses all aspects, including financial support with a contribution of any amount or your participation in an event that memorialize Sam’s spirit.
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Sam’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 12, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Matthew Tracy. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Matthew’s Fund.
Matthew Tracy’s Story:
Matthew was diagnosed with a Craniopharyngioma (brain tumor) in 2000 when he was 4 years old and had surgery and radiation. For the next five years, he enjoyed a period of stability and no tumor growth. He was able to lead a normal life for the most part. Beginning in early 2006 through January 2009, Matthew underwent 10 more surgeries both in Atlanta and Memphis and additional radiation as his tumor continued to recur and regrow. Some of these surgeries were resections of the tumor; others were to install Ommaya Reservoirs to facilitate drainage of the tumor cyst.
Matthew lost all vision in his left eye in March 2008, likely due to radiation damage from 2007. He lost peripheral vision in his right eye in August 2008 which led us back to Memphis for surgery in an attempt to preserve his remaining vision. The pathology report came back indicating that the tumor had malignant tendencies, but we crossed our fingers that they were able to get all of the live tumor out. By November, the tumor and cyst had both regrown. In an attempt to relieve pressure, Matthew had surgery at Scottish Rite to install another Ommaya Reservoir in the cyst. Two days later, he was readmitted to the hospital with seizures.
Although the odds were against it, it was decided that Matthew’s new malignant tumor might respond to chemotherapy. Four days after his 13th birthday this year (2009) Matthew had a port placed and began chemotherapy. Although the chemo seemed to slow the progression, it did not stop it. The seizures continued and worsened and on 3/28/09 he appeared to have suffered a minor stroke. After another MRI was performed, the Oncologists agreed with us that the solid tumor was still growing and it was time to stop the chemo and concentrate on alleviating Matthew’s headaches and making him more comfortable. We started a regimen of interferon injections into the large cyst in an effort to shrink the cyst and reduce the headaches.
In mid April 2009 we began Hospice care and tried to enjoy every moment that we had left with Matthew. We all faced the challenge with the same determination and faith that we have tried to maintain through our entire journey.
Matthew passed away at 4:30am on Mother’s Day, 2009. He fought so hard for so long and it was his time to rest.
Matthew was an inspiration to so many people who knew him and even people who never met him personally. He faced everything that came his way with extraordinary courage and determination. We were so very fortunate to have this sweet, caring child in our lives for 13 beautiful years. Matthew was quite an artist and loved to share his masterpieces with so many people. Music was so very special to him. He became quite a musician, composing music on the computer, as well as playing the upright string bass – an instrument taller than he was. He loved the beach, hot wings, Japanese steakhouse dinners, being a big brother to Cameron and hanging out with his best friend Bryan.
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Matthew’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 11, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Tommy Peterson. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Tommy’s Fund.
Tommy Peterson’s Story:
“Is the bump going away?” Tommy asked.
How do you tell a beautiful, sweet, funny, loving 6 year-old boy that the brain tumor he has been fighting is growing bigger each day?
Our journey with childhood cancer had started 10 months earlier. What we were told was just the flu, ear infections, and allergies that would not go away became something scarier when our son could not walk to the bus. We went to the pediatrician again and they sent us to the ER of Children’s, Egleston campus.
Within minutes, Tommy was intubated and sent to CT. “It is something in his head” and “Is Tommy your only child?” These are the statements that I will never forget. The “bump” was a tumor called medulloblastoma. We just called it Bob.
After weeks in PICU, a craniotomy, a brain biopsy, a tracheostomy, seizures, and radiation with a chemo boost, Tommy finally woke up and asked, “Why did Daddy make us move here?” The radiation had shrunk the tumor and decreased the pressure in his brain enough to bring him back to us.
We thank God that radiation gave us another 10 months with our precious son. Radiation kicked Bob’s butt!
We went through four rounds of chemo, biweekly clinic visits, multiple hospital stays for infection, MRIs every 6 weeks, kidney damage, home IV therapy, nausea and Tommy getting weaker and weaker.
And then the news that we were dreading- the tumor was growing and the worse words a parent can hear, “Tommy will not survive this tumor’”
We just tried to savor every minute. Tommy rode the FOX 5 helicopter, went for a horseback ride, rode in a fire truck with the sirens going and went to Disney World. We even went back to school because Tommy wanted to be “a regular kid.” With every trip, Tommy just wanted to be at home. He was always cheerful and had a joke for everyone. He loved everyone, even the grouchiest of teenage brothers and sisters. He loved Spongebob, video games, and playing with his friends.
No mother should ever have to tell her son that the bump is not going away and that heaven is a great place. No mom should have to tell her son that it is ok to go…
I wonder if we put him though the chemicals, radiation, surgeries for nothing, but I would do it all again to have one more day, hour, minute with my sweet boy. I love and miss you Tommy Charles Peterson Good Boy!
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Tommy’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
Abu Rumaysah | Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 204 | Size: 19 MB
The Spiritual Cure, An Explanation To Surah Al Fatihah, A summary of Numerous Classical Commentaries of The Quran The underlying theme of al fatihah is one of contemplation and serenity; pondering the Names and Attributes of Allah, pondering the creation and acknowledging that He alone deserves praise and worship, that He alone should be asked for help, that He alone should be feared and hoped in that He alone should be invoked that there is indeed a Day of Judgement and that guidance has come to us and we are required to follow it. It calls us to carefully scrutinise our relationship with our Lord: are we living according to the dictates of ‘none has the right to be worshipped save of Allah’ or not? This opening chapter, despite its brevity, calls man to fulfil the rights of Tawhid, the right that Allah has over us to worship Him alone without any partners, in thirty places. This chapter summarises succinctly the message of the whole Quran.
Quando si sceglie una polizza infortuni è molto importante guardare le esclusioni che tale polizza prevede. Di norma gli infortuni che non vengono indennizzati sono i seguenti:
uso di veicoli in competizioni sportive;
guida di velivoli o aeromobili;
uso, in qualità di passeggero, di velivoli o aeromobili nel corso di voli non operanti da società di trasporto aereo regolare;
guida di veicoli senza patente;
pratica di sport pericolosi;
partecipazione a gare sportive competitive;
ubriachezza, abuso di psicofarmaci o uso di stupefacenti quando ci si trova alla guida di veicoli a motore;
operazioni chirurgiche e cure non rese necessarie dall’infortunio;
guerra, insurrezione, terremoti, calamità.
Oltre a tali esclusioni generali, ogni compagnia a volte ne inserisce delle altre a seconda del prodotto. Per quanto riguarda le esclusioni derivanti dalla pratica di alcuni sport, è da considerare la tipologia (e la pericolosità) dell’attività in questione affrontando caso per caso la possibilità di eventuali deroghe a fronte di un sovrappremio.
Ive blogged about a lot of interesting things and been very opinionated in my past entries (such is my nature: I know myself and im a deep thinker). But if theres one thing i havent blogged about before its love. The L word so many people fear. So I thought id go and be super original and write a bit about it.
I think love is quite a powerful force. Everyone says that but people actually underestimate it. “True love” (something which is very rare I think even in a lot of marriages) is a mutual love. A feeling of happiness that stays there so that no matter what happens the two people will always be in love and be happy and will never tire of each other. They will always want to be with each other and insepperable (im aware i probably spelt that word wrong). This is an example of how love can heal and make the world a better place. If you wanted to be a big walking talking cliche, you could easily say: Love has the power to heal the world.
Love can also destroy and be very destructive. An example of this is unrequited love. I have actually experienced heartache. I heard people talking about heartache but i thought it was a just term to express the sadness people experienced when they lost a love, loved someone who didnt love them back, or was away from a partner. But heartache isnt just that. Amazingly, it is actually heart-ache. Like a physical pain. For me it was anyway. I get a literal physical ache along with everything else. That is evidence its not all in our heads.
I think thanks to our good friend Hollywood a lot of people have unrealistic ideas of it though. I mean the love we see in the teen movies often doesnt exist in real life. I mean do you know anyone who had a story like the ones you see in those films?
For me, i think attraction makes 50 percent of what people call love. An ideal partner would be someone I was physically and sexually attracted to (as in i find them hot/cute/whatever word you want to use) as well as emotionally and romantically attracted (’clicking personalities’ as they say. Everything in common). These two combined creates a basic form of love. Which can result in heartache and all the rest of the lovey stuff. But you really have something special when that basic love made up of all those different attractions, advances to the next level. A mutual fulfillment.
The reason I am blogging about love is because i am currently going through an experience which could lead to a new relationship. And am experiencing heartache as a result, as well as happiness.
Another thing I wanted to blog about was a topic thats come up a lot this week. I’ll tell the story…
A close friend of mine posted on her facebook status: “whats more important following your head or your heart?”
I basically responded by saying its different with everyone. Everyone follows different paths. The head is logic-based and the heart emotion-based. Following your logic will make sure you never get in trouble. But you will never experience improvements. And following your emotions could set you back 3 spaces or move you forward. Its best to chose which one you want to do according to the situation. Its kind of like a stick or twist thing.
She said something next like “what happens if they disagree (heart and head)” and i say well you will have an internal conflict. And the person must think what is best for them. But shes like “what if you make the wrong decision”.
But making wrong decisions isnt something to worry about. Just make a decision. Because if no one made wrong decisions then nobody would learn anything. Its how we learn everything in life from who we are to what to do with our lives. In short: “It is our choices that make us different”
You cant tell how the future will turn out. All i know is i dont regret anything in my life and i dont regret anything that I have done. I probably have done some wrong decisions in the past. But im willing to accept that because im a human being. But i dont regret them and I wouldnt change them, because without them I wouldnt be who I am today. Dont worry about the past and the future. I think its better to live each day as it comes, that way you can make sure youre the best you can be at everything (as well as anything life throws at you.
As for a quick update on my life:
Right now i am in a great time in my life. I am experiencing what could be called love. I have beat depression and I am brimming with self-love (positive self-love, not fake egos and walls to protect myself like some people i know, im talking the real deal).
I get a bit down sometimes because my life is far from perfect, but I am lucky to even have a computer its more than what some people in the world have and I know not to take anything in life for granted or overcomplicate the things in my life.
In short: I’m feeling pretty euphoric and positive right now. So many people think they know me when they dont. But i dont care what people think. Because no matter what they think, I’ll always be the same person.
Another thing i want to add kind of on the topic of love is an awful lot of people are looking for love, yet they cant find it. A lot of the time its because they have no love for themselves. You cant love others unless you love yourself first. Save yourself before you save others. Otherwise you cant change anything. People should find who they are before they commit to a relationship, or else the relationship wont have any true love. It will just be a friendship in disguise.
Always remember folks: Say what you like and do what you feel because those who matter dont mind and those who mind dont matter.
