[Redskirt1]

Chris, here is the article that I read that made me think of you and your mother. I read it in this week's Woman's World weekly magazine...

A "shower of hope" can help Anyone!

We've all attended wedding showers and baby showers, but when Sally Monahan fell ill with cancer, her friends showered her...with love!

When Cincinnati, Ohio mother of three Sally Monahan found herself battle uterine cancer, her friend Patty Ritter, an oncology nurse, provided advice on doctors and treatments. But as Sally, 47, struggled through months of chemotherapy, Patty wished she could do more.

Then one of Patty's own cancer patients mentioned that friends had thrown her a "chemo party" to cheer her up during her treatment.

Why not a "chemo shower" for Sally? Patty decided.

It would run like any other shower, but the theme would be a message of support.

And it began as soon as Sally arrived for her surprise "shower" and found herself surrounded by smiling friends and family.

Sally's sister, Connie Flynn, passed out translucent red hearts made of soft plastic to everyone as a reminder that: "We're all connected heart to heart with Sally."

Wiping away tears, Sally spent the next two hours opening gifts, reading inspirational messages, and sharing cake with guests.

"I'm just so moved by all the love in this room," she sniffed. "It's you who will get me through this!"

Support is good medicine

Experts agree that emotional support can play a big role in cancer treatment.

"There's evidence that those patients who enjoy strong support networks do much better in treatment," says Dr. Julia Rowland, who heads the Office of Cancer Suvivorship at the National Cancer Institute.

Today, Sally has finished her treatmetns and is hopeful about her future.

"Thanks to Patty, I always think positive because I know I'm connected," she smiles, slipping a translucent red heart from her pocket. "Too many others are pulling for me to let them down!"
--Steve Baal

Chris, no matter what the test results are, and I am sure I'm in agreement with everyone when I say that I pray that everything turns out the way you hope, I hope this article helps.

[chrily]

Thanks Tabitha...
I've printed it out so I can save it. I'm going to the hospital to see her after dinner tonight. My sister works at the hospital in patient records so she's been going up on her breaks to see how she's doing. Jennifer (my sis) says mom appears to be enjoying her morphine drip. She just hits the little button when she needs it and then she's all smiles I guess. The doctor is giving her an extra day. They wanted her up on her feet today but since she had such a hard time yesterday, she gets a reprive until tomorrow. Looks like she'll be in until Tuesday. My sister (aka Jen/"martha stewart") and I are going to make dinners for her and my brother so she doesn't have to worry about him cooking when she gets home.

Thanks again. I think I'm going to kick back and read a book for a little bit. When the challenge starts tomorrow...I won't get to read unless I'm in the tub soaking.

~chris

[Redskirt1]

OH, I forgot. I had a duh moment at momslosingwegiht today. I went, looking for the challenges again. And couldn't find them. My h wondered why I was yelling, "What is wrong with me? Am I stupid? Blind?" at the computer monitor. Then I found the little link off to the side. Boy did I feel like a big doofus then! LOL, oh well. At least I found them and all is well. Thanks, the answers message really did answer my questions.

[melmcc99]

I just wanted to say ........Challengers..........please be sure to read ALL the Messages and posts...there have been corrections, additions and clarification to items.

[Bayleysmom]

Hey ladies I'm back from the coast, or should I say dunes! It was a blast and I wanted to share a pic of me and my new hobby......riding 4-wheelers! It was so fun, that's me with my new helmet with blue flames on it. I think it's pretty sweet! Anyway I'll get back and tell more once I get this tornado of a house picked up. I have lots to tell and lots of comments for all you ladies. Hope you all had a great weekend! Oh and I'm also posting a pic of Bayley and her friend Hunter in the wagon my dh made. Not a good shot of the wagon but a cute one of the babies. Hope all you challengers are doing good today!! ok that's it for now!


Oh actually lol Hi to all the newbies!! I'm Jill SAHM of Bayley who is 17 months. I can't wait to get to know you!!

[Bayleysmom]

Oh and here is something I received as an e-mail and thought it was so funny! The first picture is a publice toilet in Texas, there's a lady going into it. As you can see it's reflective. Now the second picture is what it looks like when you are in the restroom! It's got one-way glass! Would you use this toilet? I'm not sure I would, I think I would feel weird!

[Redskirt1]

Nice pictures! Cute little ones.

I am afraid that I would have a problem with the one way glass. I would, psychologically, have a hard time believing that no one could see in, especially at night. Oh well.

[mompen]

Hi Ladies...

I'm home from the casino... church and my nap from staying up all night...lol

Gonna get some groceries from town and i'll check in later on!

[sharqueen76]

Hello ladies. Today I have been lounging and not doing much of anything besides cleaning. Yesterday when I got on the scale it said I weighed 158. This morning it said 162 and this afternoon it said 164! So, I don't know what to think. I guess when I take my picture for the challenge another number will come up, who knows.. Oh well. I am really looking forward to this challenge and getting even closer to my goal.

Jill~ Those are great pictures of you and Bailey!! I can't wait to hear all about your weekend. Are you ready for the challenge??

Penny~ You're doing the SBD too!! YAY!! When are you officially starting the SBD? Did you have a good time last night??

Mel~ Thanks for all your help today, it was greatly appreciated. How's your day?

Well I better go check the other site now..I'll BBL.

[melmcc99]

Hey all. Hope everyone is having a great day. We are expecting snow tonight up to 7 inches. Not terrible, but it will probably hinder my going to the gym tomorrow.

Jill, great pics! OH an BTW, I don't think I could use that bathroom either...ewwww.

I'm letting my dinner settle and then I'd better get in some exercise. Can't let the first day of the challenge go by without something....

[Deana1113]

Hello ladies!!!

I am still trying to recover from this past week! My legs and hips hurt so bad today and I know it's from all I did this week.

Mel: I sent my paypal. You should have it.

My pics are posted. I didn't log my food today but mentally I can add up that I'm still under my limit.

The banquet went great. Lots of compliments. Now if only more would jump to volunteer to help.......

Jill: Great pics! I had seen that email too. I couldn't use it unless I was about to bust .

Penny: Hope you hit it BIG last night. I get to go Saturday which will be 2 days shy of 2 years since I've been. It's not that it's that far away, I jsut never get out of this town much . But my sil is having a Pampered Chef party Saturday and mom and I are going after that cause it's about 10 minutes from sil's house to the casino....woohoo!

Well, I'm going to pogo for a while then to bed very soon. I'm still exhausted and have to get the excercise in tomorrow. Unless I can count walking the grocery store for an hour with 4 kids in tow........

GO CHALLENGERS!!!

TTYL

[mompen]

Morning Ladies,

My wisdom teeth have been cutting through forever now and they bother me on and off.... well I am on the on cycle right now! LOL

I just woke up to take some Tylenol b/c they are hurting so bad! gRRRR ... Jeniqua, I know how you feel honey!

Jilly,
I just luv your pics darlin! I am that type of girlie! We have a four wheeler, go cart and Brad bought me one of those little rocket motor bikes last year! I love it! So who's bikes are those?? Yours or are you getting on??
I love those pics of the potty too!!! Bay is getting too big and I tell you she is just a spitting image of her mama! Gotta love the wagon hubby made! Kuddos to him

Deana,
It sounds like you are beat! Hopefully this week will slow down for you! And no, we didn't hit it big We lost $300.00 but like hubby says.... We did get free buffets! LOL Geeezzzz

Jeniqua,
I'm sorry your scale is creaping up I bet it is just fluid and it'll come back down soon!

Chris,
Glad to hear mom is doing ok! I bet she will really appreciate you and Martha lol helping with the dinners!

Tabitha,
That was a nice article! Thanks for posting it!

Michelle,
Are you out there???

Roxy,
I'm so glad you joined the challenge with us! WOOHOO

MichelleJ,
Let me know when your tapes come in and how you like the belly dancing!
My belly dances even when I don't move

Kristen,
Are you ready girlie!!! We are gonna kick butt on this challenge!!! How's Hunter's girlfriend doing? Ask her if she needs a new pic

Cheri,
Thanks for the link! That lady is doing awesome with her weight loss!

Mel,
Thanks for explaning today! Once I reloaded the form I got it

Hi out there to Spryng (I miss ya), Cindi, Geri, Stephanie, Steph, Ricci, Julie, Leigh, Gretchen, Ginny, and all you lovely ladies out there!

[mompen]

Gonna Start A New Thread!

C Ya There!