Thursday, September 13, 2007

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 ;-)

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

*hugs* I'm so very sorry. Your strength is amazing!
d

Anonymous said...

Making this post is a good thing. You are a strong, good person and I'm glad to call you my friend. My prayers to you, Princess and to Joshua.
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay

Christy said...

Loving you and Josh...wish we could just always have those Mommy eyes. You have made me cry this morning and of course inspired me to copy you ;)

Love ya

Emily Suess said...

Beautiful post, Kelly. And Beautiful kid.

Lippy said...

My heart truly aches for you every time I think of this. I think it's admirable that you take the time to post information that could help others avoid similar situations. My heart is out to you today Kelly.

Emily said...

Not that you'd dare look down from somewhere as glorious as Heaven to read a blog, but I just have to say thanks for making me smile this morning, Josh. :) Nothing does that quite as well as silly little boys right now and to know that you are up there picking on Miller Grace and making her laugh makes me smile, too. If her daddy can't do it, surely you can right?? I bet you were good at that - picking on Grace and making her giggle even when she was frustrated! (I have a brother, I know!) You're precious sweet boy and your mama is, too. Thanks for letting us share her with you for a little while. She'll be home to rock you (and you'll like it even if you won't admit it) later this afternoon, though it will seem much longer for her. We'll love on her for you, sweet boy. You just keep playing with Jesus.


Thanks for sharing your precious boy with us, Kelly. Josh is adorable and I can't wait to meet him.

Emily

Laura said...

You just made other parents more aware of this. This entry is filled with important information that many parents don't look to see for it. Thank you. ((hugs))

Laura

Anonymous said...

Kelly, I am amazed by your quiet strength. I know this has to be so incredibly hard for you, every day, and I cannot even begin to imagine. Thank you for raising awareness, and thank you for being my friend.
Love you. ♥