Wishes, Dreams & Miracles

Dear Blogger Family & Friends,

Heartfelt greetings and BIG HUG to one and all. A special warm welcome to those of you visiting The Pink Crusader blog spot for the first time. We hope you like what you see, and will continue to stop by on a weekly basis! The more, the merrier, so keep spreading the good word as we help raise awareness and promote well-being among breast cancer survivors and the community at large!

When you walk through a storm
Keep your chin up high
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At he end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Though your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone,
You'll never walk alone.

Song: "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel
Lyrics:Rodgers & Hammerstein

Choosing a blog topic each week can sometimes be a daunting process. It involves reflecting on all the issues, events and encounters that influenced my life in the past seven days. If I've had a good week.....the words come much easier. However when things go bonkers, then I need to count to ten before I let loose. I choose my words carefully and give strong consideration to all who enter this space. You are most welcome to agree or disagree, and I invite your written comments at any time.

Having said that, I can safely tell you that this week has been somewhat turbulent....not only for myself, and Elizabeth Edwards, but for several of my fellow survivors whose lives have been profoundly challenged, yet again, by the cancer monster. While they are facing difficult times with an uncertain outcome, they remain brave, cheerful and full of hope, asking for nothing more than our prayers and God's blessing. They are not alone. We are all in their corner, cheering them on through their metastatic set-backs and onward to a recovery just short of a miracle.

Who couldn't use a pocketful of miracles? I'd settle for just one if it were mine for the asking and the taking. I admit that sometimes my imagination can get the best of me as I walk the fine line between wishes, dreams and miracles. If I had a magic lamp and could make just one wish come true, it would not be for love, money or a size 16-inch waist. Instead, I would take my one wish and ask for a better, kinder and peaceful world, where everyone was healthy, content and safe.

In reality, however, there is no time to whine about things beyond my control.....It is important to stay grounded, keep the fantasies in check, and look to obtain the impossible through more conventional means, especially due to the shortage of genies in a bottle (smile). But for now, I will wish for the impossible.....dream of the unobtainable.......and pray for small miracles. My friends (Janice, Argelia, Angie, Julia M., Julia K., and Julie G.), are counting on it, so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Moving on.....This week we have the pleasure of sharing a poem written by Andrea Scatuccio, and submitted by fellow Rosebud II member, Penny. As the saying goes, "Hope Floats." This poem is a wonderful reminder that we should never give up on ourselves or each other. Thank you both for your contributions to the Pink Crusader.

BREAST CANCER
If you allow,
it will consume you
take you in its grasp
try to invade you, right down to your core
until you cry out in anguish.
You must remember you are stronger
you will not allow it to possess you
you will control it
break its evil hold upon you
remove its deadly grasp.
You, my friend, have the key
you have those to lift you high
to hold your trembling hand
making you reach higher that you ever thought possible.
You realize how much you've gained
more importantly, to know self-respect
accepting your limitations
setting your own personal goals and beating the odds.
See, you've been chosen
no one better to fight this battle.
And with the help of those around you,
you will stride toward winning
letting the darkness stand behind you.
you will stride toward winning
letting the darkness stand behind you.
Stand proud and strong,
realize your dreams
find your inner beauty and make it shine
help those beside you along this journey
to rely on, to confide in, to understand.
We have each other
to share our heartbreaks and triumphs
to reach out,
to heal from deep within.
So share your tales of sorrow...
laugh with me, cry with me
for nothing is worse than feeling alone
and come along as we share this voyage,
wherever it may go.
- Andrea Scatuccio

PESONAL NOTE: Thanks to Penny, our newest Rosebud II member, for sharing this inspirational poem. We encourage the rest of our readers to contribute their poetry for future posts, as well. Please send to: thepinkcrusader1@aol.com.

DAILY REMINDER: "Fund Free Mammograms"
Go to The Breast Cancer Site at http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/tpc/EEB_0115_BCSm
and help fund free mammograms for the homeless, working-poor, and un-insured women. It costs nothing to you, except one daily click on the pink "Fund Free Mammograms" button. You can even request automatic reminders via e-mail. Please make your free click now, and thanks for your continuing support! The Breast Cancer Site, One Union Square, 600 University Street, Suite 1000, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 1-888-811-5271

UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark Your Calendars!

"Brushes with Greatness"
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
teams up with Saks Fifth Avenue, April 12, 2007 6:30-8:30pm
Ticket Price $25.00* For more info: bsmp@mdanderson.org
(Guests will receive $25 gift card to be used for cosmetics)
*A percentage of sales will benefit the
Beth Sanders Moore Young Breast Cancer Survivor's Program
at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Susan's Rally Golf Tournament
in the fight against breast cancer
Monday, April 16 281-480-7744
3820 San Jacinto, Houston TX 77004
www.susanrally.org

Relay for Life of Cy Fair College
American Cancer Society Overnight Event
April 27 & 28, 2007, 7:00pm - 7:00am
www.acsevents.org/cyfair for info & registration

Breast Cancer: Its Effect on Spouses & Others
Saturday, April 28, 2007
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
The Beth Sanders Moore Young Breast Cancer Survivor's Program
www.mdanderson.org/youngbreastsurvivor
Email: bsmp@mdanderson.org

Susan's Rally
Sunday, April 29
For info: 713-526-2747
www.susanrally.org

The National Breast Cancer Coalition/Fund
2007 Annual Advocacy Training Conference(NBCC)
"Beyond Ribbons to Revolution"
April 28 - May 1, 2007
Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA
703-418-1234
Conference Contact: The Event Professionals
Email:nbccinfo@theeventpros.net 678-502-1454

The 2nd Annual Cancer Patient & Caregiver Conference
Friday, May 4, 2007. Registration:9:00am
Program begins at 9:30am-2:30pm.
Dr Michael Keating from MD Anderson will be the keynote speaker.
Location: United Way Building 50 Waugh Drive.
To Register: 713-520-9873 Contact Person: Elizabeth Wilson
www.cancercouseling.info

Relay For Life of Angelina County
American Cancer Society
May 4th & 5th, 2007
Lufkin Middle School

Relay For Life® is a fun-filled overnight event designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer in our community. At the event, we celebrate survivorship and raise money to help the American Cancer Society in its mission to save lives, help those who have been touched by cancer, and empower individuals to fight back.
http://www.acsevents.org/angelina/positivepinkdynamite

Walk to Empower
3-Mile walk, Sunday, May 13, 2007
MacGregor Park, Houston, Tx 9:00am
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
No Fee Register online at www.y-me.org

The Alice Thomsen Lymphedema Awareness Group of Houston
Meetings are scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday of every other month at the American cancer Society Building,6301 Richmond (between Hillcroft and Fountainview) at 7:00pm. The 2007 dates are May 15th, July 17th, September 18 and November 20th.
For further information call 281-546-6438.

CanCare Survivors Day Luncheon
Date: Thursday, May 31, 2007
For More Info: patwh@cancare.org
As most of you know our Survivors Day Luncheon will be held on Thursday, May 31 at the Intercontinental Hotel. Our luncheon event is a wonderful way to honor friends, family and employees who are cancer survivors and the medical communities who treat them. Our keynote speaker is Scott Hamilton, who is considered to be the world's most celebrated figure skater. In addition to being a role model and humanitarian, Mr. Hamilton is also a ten-year testicular cancer survivor.

"The Faces behind Breast Cancer" Launch Party
Save the date, Sunday August 26, at 1:00 pm.
Details will be announced in future posts.

Living Fully
M.D. Anderson Annual Conference
September 6-8 2007
Marriott Westchase - Houston, Texas
Additional information is not available at this time.

Tour De Pink 2007
Pink Ribbons Project
September 9, 2007
at Prairie View A&M University
www.tourdepink.org
Additional info in future posts.

"Sharing is Caring"
Posts are updated every Sunday. As always, The Pink Crusader welcomes your comments, stories, poems, and events. Please send your written contributions to thepinkcrusader1@aol.com.

“Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself... 'How did I get through all of that?”

- Unknown


Until next week, Stay strong, stay well, and keep on dancing with hope in your heart.

Love, Josie
The Pink Crusader
thepinkcrusader1@aol.com