September is...

...childhood cancer awareness month...

This is how I remember him, my Joshua...silly and crazy and everything that a wonderful 4 year old boy is. He turned 5 shortly before he died, but we know now that he was sick even then. My mommy eyes still see my handsome little boy, free from cancer and wanting nothing more than to play hard all day and settle in at night with a good book (Franklin...his favorite turtle) and getting tucked in by mom. Ah, those were the days. The days when I thought children lived forever and nothing could touch us. (read his story here)

I didn't know what other amazing plans were in the Master Plan for my life.

What I know now is that every day children are diagnosed with cancer. And after you've been there, heard those words, you don't want anybody else to have to be in your shoes. Ever.

Thank you to Gigi for sharing these simple warning signs

C ontinued, unexplained weight loss

H eadaches, often with vomiting, at night or early morning

I ncreased swelling or persistent pain in bones, joints, back, or legs

L ump or mass, especially in the abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis, or armpits

D evelopment of excessive bruising, bleeding, or rash

C onstant infections

A whitish color behind the pupil

N ausea which persists or vomiting without nausea

C onstant tiredness or noticeable paleness

E ye or vision changes which occur suddenly and persist

R ecurrent fevers of unknown origin

Not every child with these symptoms has cancer. Only about 1 in 330 children will be diagnosed with cancer....but you should remember that YOU are your child's best advocate. You know your child better than any doctor or team of doctors.

You can find lots more good information HERE.

Everytime you have a chance to donate a balloon, remember that worldwide a classroom full of children have today been diagnosed with cancer and that about 10 of them will lose their battle.

(This ends today's public service announcement ;-)