LiveStrong Day

LIVESTRONG DAY

We've got our paws crossed fur a speedy cure!

Cancer is a killer, taking far too many of our loved ones from us in the prime of their lives. Our lives have also been touched by cancer:

In looking for a silver lining in the dark cloud of cancer that had descended for a second time on my mother, I realized that knowing my mother's days were numbered, I needed to say a few things to her NOW. Like how much I admired her, and what a good mother she had been. I told her some of my fondest childhood memories, talked about memories of she & my dad, and wanted her to know that she had filled our home with love and happiness, (in spite of what my surly disposition as a teen might have led her to believe.) I wanted her to know that she was still an example to me - of bravery, of perseverence, of sacrafice, and of prayer. Cancer had robbed her of her ability to walk around and be active, as she had always been. Not long before the end, she told me "I may not be able to do much, but I spend my days sitting in this chair praying for people. I call my friends, I talk to them, I pray for them." Next to the chair was a stack of Holy Cards. I took several with me, which I treasure to this day. Her favorite saint was St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes. Her entire life, she always told me I must never give up, no matter what. She lived those words, and I am so grateful for her example. I can't wait to see her again someday.

Our handsome, gentle, Sherman, an angel of a dog, died of lung cancer at the age of 4 1/2. From the time I first took him in for what I believed to be kennel cough, it was only 6 weeks till the day we helped him cross the bridge. We had received the diagnosis of cancer that afternoon, and we could not let him suffer a moment longer. He was barely able to breathe, fading before our eyes. That day was hushed, shrouded in a heavy mist carrying the low moan of a foghorn in the distance as seagulls cried mournfully, and it seemed that our whole world was grieving with us.
One year ago, our beautiful Blue Moon Star joined her beloved Sherman across the Rainbow Bridge, her vet strongly suspecting that cancer was at work behind her rapid decline. We miss her dearly, having raised her from a 5-week old pup, and were blessed to spend nearly 11 years with this wonderful, wise soul.

My husband also lost a a brother to pancreatic cancer, at 59 years young. Rest in peace, dearest Ray.

I want to honer two others in our family whose work in the medical field from the genetic level on up.

My BIL, Dr. Tom Kunicki, a researcher for Scripps Research Institute, and his wife, Dr. Diane Nugent, a pediatric oncologist. She was voted best physician in the state of California, and, (imo), her knowledge and skill as a healer are only exceeded by her kindness and compassion. Diane is also a cancer survivor herself. God Bless them and their colleges for their relentless efforts to find answers that will improve the lives of those afflicted with horrible diseases such as cancer.

And to all who are touched by cancer, God Bless you, may every day be filled with hope, love, gratitude, and miracles for you and your loved ones.

Pat, Joseph, Jack & Moo