Gathering Rosebuds While I May
Hello again!
You will be happy to hear that the reason I haven't blogged for a full week is that I have been feeling much better! When I feel well, I do a lot of things, large and small, that I can't do when I am down.
Don and I traveled to Nashville earlier this week to see Josiah perform live. (Other than his "live" performances in our basement, I had never seen him perform his own music.) Seeing him perform live is an amazing experience! It was a fun trip, and I was able to meet some of his great fans and re-connect to one of my longest friends -- I was going to say "oldest" friends, but that has terrible connotations, and after all, we are the same age! Lauren and her husband picked us up at the hotel and hung out with us at the concert. I guess it had been 14 or 15 years since I had seen her! She looks great, and we had a good time catching up on all of those "lost" years.
Since I did fairly well on this trip (thanks to an afternoon nap to find my "second wind" before the concert), I am less nervous about our upcoming adventure: Hugfest 2008! Hugfest is a yearly gathering of Leiomyosarcoma patients near Philadelphia. I have wanted to attend for several years now, but my health has not permitted me to do so. This year might just be my chance to actually make the trip. There are get-togethers, meals, tours of the hospital and the Philadelphia area, and an opportunity to meet both fellow LMS warriors and the researchers who work tirelessly to find a cure for us.
Hugfest is sponsored by the NLMSF - National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation, Inc.. Since leiomyosarcoma (along with other sarcomas) is so rare, less money is directed to its research than the "major" cancers. Of course, any cancer research is valuable to all of us, but it takes a long time for the new therapies to "trickle down" to sarcoma studies. Therefore, the NLMSF raises its own funds, which are used to hire and support researchers who focus entirely on leiomyosarcoma.
For those of us who suffer from leiomysarcoma, or who love someone else who does, this research is invaluable (priceless, as the Mastercard commercials say).
So, I am still here -- visiting with friends (including Janet, who came to see me today from Greeneville), spring cleaning our bedroom, spending time with our children, and going outside to frolic in the sunshine every time I can find an excuse to get out the door.
When I'm not blogging because I am feeling well, it means that I am LIVING!
Long live spring! (And all of us, too!)
:-) Sharon
You will be happy to hear that the reason I haven't blogged for a full week is that I have been feeling much better! When I feel well, I do a lot of things, large and small, that I can't do when I am down.
Don and I traveled to Nashville earlier this week to see Josiah perform live. (Other than his "live" performances in our basement, I had never seen him perform his own music.) Seeing him perform live is an amazing experience! It was a fun trip, and I was able to meet some of his great fans and re-connect to one of my longest friends -- I was going to say "oldest" friends, but that has terrible connotations, and after all, we are the same age! Lauren and her husband picked us up at the hotel and hung out with us at the concert. I guess it had been 14 or 15 years since I had seen her! She looks great, and we had a good time catching up on all of those "lost" years.
Since I did fairly well on this trip (thanks to an afternoon nap to find my "second wind" before the concert), I am less nervous about our upcoming adventure: Hugfest 2008! Hugfest is a yearly gathering of Leiomyosarcoma patients near Philadelphia. I have wanted to attend for several years now, but my health has not permitted me to do so. This year might just be my chance to actually make the trip. There are get-togethers, meals, tours of the hospital and the Philadelphia area, and an opportunity to meet both fellow LMS warriors and the researchers who work tirelessly to find a cure for us.
Hugfest is sponsored by the NLMSF - National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation, Inc.. Since leiomyosarcoma (along with other sarcomas) is so rare, less money is directed to its research than the "major" cancers. Of course, any cancer research is valuable to all of us, but it takes a long time for the new therapies to "trickle down" to sarcoma studies. Therefore, the NLMSF raises its own funds, which are used to hire and support researchers who focus entirely on leiomyosarcoma.
For those of us who suffer from leiomysarcoma, or who love someone else who does, this research is invaluable (priceless, as the Mastercard commercials say).
So, I am still here -- visiting with friends (including Janet, who came to see me today from Greeneville), spring cleaning our bedroom, spending time with our children, and going outside to frolic in the sunshine every time I can find an excuse to get out the door.
When I'm not blogging because I am feeling well, it means that I am LIVING!
Long live spring! (And all of us, too!)
:-) Sharon
posted by Sharon | 11:23 PM
14 Comments:
What a nice weekend. I enjoy reading your blogs, but I'd sacrifice them for your health anyday! Hope all is well, and I hope you had a great time at Josiahs concert. I bet he really enjoyed seeing you there supporting him. Much love and admiration, Liz.
(: Have a great week!
Oh good news sharon. That just warms my heart. so glad you had a great time with old friends and to see your son perform. You will never forget that. I heard he dedicated a song to you and sang it to you. How beautiful!
God bless you in every way.
Your biggest fan ~
angel330
What a wonderful weekend Sharon!
I'm Sorry that I haven't commented on your blog in awhile, I've been pretty busy. I'm just glad to hear such a wonderful report!
You are still in my prayers (and the rest of your family). And if Josiah ever happens to drop by in London, England, I'll definitely be there at his concert! =o)
I will continue to support him, and pray for you.
I'm so glad that you're doing well, and keeping SO much faith and hope! You're a very strong woman, and I KNOW that you can beat this!
God bless you and your family!!
Peace, Love, and many prayers,
Lilly_ =D
i'm so very glad to know you had a good week and feel well. whew! here's wishing you more and more easier, livlier days like these have been for you.
and enjoy that wonderful sounding 'hugfest' event.
you're in my thoughts every day,
lorraine
Well in that case I sure hope we don't get a blog from you for a really long time.....
Love,
Judy
Thats wonderful your doing better.
You know spring is re-birth.
Have a wonderful day and week to come. IT must be warm where you are. It's qutie wonderful here last weekend we got a blizard and now its 25 degrees out side!
My my what a lovely day.
Love always
Sarah
Wow today is gorgeuse out! Have fun at Hugfest later this month. Hopefully you'll make some new friends, and make some connections, medically and spiritually. We'll wait patiently for your glorious return :)
Wow today is gorgeuse out! Have fun at Hugfest later this month. Hopefully you'll make some new friends, and make some connections, medically and spiritually. We'll wait patiently for your glorious return :)
Sharon;
Im very glad to hear that you are feeling much better! Josiah's show must have been great! i admire you for being so strong in everything you do! have a nice day!
-Ashley
So happy to hear you are doing well, it seems all the prayers for you are working. Enjoy!
Sharon,
Reading your latest entry brought a smile to my face - I couldn't be happier for you. Enjoy feeling well and the Spring as it unfolds. I hope the conference is a great experience for you.
Know that our unknown faces are out here praying for you and your family daily.
Best Regards,
Jodi
Yes I was directed here by a link from a page reading about your son and -- I honestly do not know what to say so I wil just speak from my heart and hope it makes sense. I have sat and read and re-read all of your blogs and I am just in tears. Tears of fear, frustration, anger, laughter, happiness, relief, ... but most of all? Tears of joy because through your years of fighting and you journey you are here to be a reckoning force- a mother, wife, friend, and loved one. I am thankful for you. You have a gift of words. Be blessed beautiful! God's love always, Shelley
This was such a beautiful post to see. I am so glad that you are feeling well. I hope that it lingers and lasts for a very, very long time. Have a great time at Hugfest......although I think that you are getting a "cyber" Hugfest here. You are loved, admired, respected, and prayed for each and every day.
Keep hanging on & enjoy the reprieve.
Sharla
Oh, my gosh I am so glad I accidently came across your Blog. I too have Stage IV endo cancer. I started reading at the beginning and when I came across the picture of Josiah I almost fainted. I did not know that I was reading his mother's blog. I absolutely adore this kid (from AI) and I am not a teen but a grandma.
Just want you to know (and I know you already do) that you are one amazing uplifting woman. Was so down yesterday and then you made me feel ashamed of myself. Please consider putting your blog into a book...it is amazing and would help so many people. If you ever get a chance jump on the board "Hystersisters" and click on "Cancer Concerns". I am going to guide them to your blog as I feel it will be so inspirational to them.
Know you are in my prayers. Wishing you a wonderful summer and kiss that cutie pie Josiah.
Juanita
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