Did you know?

March is National Colorectal
Cancer Awareness Month

I have to admit it...I did not know that fact until this time last year, when my mom was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. One year ago today, she had surgery to remove the tumor in her colon. At the same time, we found out that the cancer had spread to her lungs. She has made the courageous decision to forego any further treatment. In her case, it was the right decision, and one her doctor supported...as did I. Now, one year later, I’m thankful for the time we’ve had together and pray that when it’s her time to go, I’ll be as prepared as she seems to be! Since she has always enjoyed writing down her experiences (or "her stories," as she calls them), I thought that, instead of me trying to write about her, maybe she would be willing to tell her own story... and she graciously accepted. Thanks mom!

When my daughter asked if I would consider writing a blog for her "Hope for Cancer" website, my reply was... "I will have to pray about that." I enjoy doing a little heartfelt writing until someone asked me to; then I kind of.....freeze.

When I prayed about it, I said, "God, what would you have me say?" My story could become rather long as I am a "little ole lady" whose story began March of last year. I was diagnosed with Colorectal cancer, had surgery on March 23rd, but also found out it had spread with four (yes...that’s 4) tumors on the lungs; plus a large kidney stone in the left side and a cyst on the liver. Oh my goodness... it’s going to take a lot of prayer to get me through these days.

Really, I feel sure my story began 42 years ago that helped prepare me for some of the "journeys" I would take in life. I even wrote a song one time entitled, "I’m on a Journey." Wow... little did I know! In May of 1968, I was over at Kennestone Hospital giving birth to my youngest son and had a near death experience. How very awesome! Now, keep in mind this was years before you read stories or books written about this. It was such a precious experience, but I did not tell it for a long time, only mentioned it now as it sure became part of "My Journey."

Though my husband died at 68 years old after fighting cancer for five years, I found comfort in knowing he was a Christian man. He made recordings and sang for about 40 years with his family, "The Young Family"... he loved flying and was able to get his private pilot’s license. And, after all... he was married to me for 45 years (I do have a sense of humor). Though I grieved his death, I had learned to be a pretty good caregiver, so God led me to be a Hospice volunteer for over eight years at "Tranquility," the hospice for Wellstar. I loved it because I knew it was exactly where I was supposed to be at that time of my life. During the first week of my training session, the Nurse told us some of the awesome experiences we would encounter there and, yes I stood beside many a bed when the patient was "Crossing Over" and they would tell me of the loved ones they were seeing. Oh, how this brought back memories of my experience when it seemed my soul left my body and began to travel towards the most brilliant light and a peace that I just cannot explain. As I stood by these patients, I could not help but wonder if that is why I had the experience so many years ago... only God knows the answer to that. And, perhaps this experience is what is helping me each day as I travel this cancer journey.

So, though I am in Stage 4 cancer...I don’t know what tomorrow holds for me... but I sure know Who holds it. I met Him as my personal Savior and Lord when I was a little 12 year old girl. I know as a Christian, I can’t lose. I will have some more time here to love and laugh with my family and friends, or I will die and go to Heaven.

Some parts of my journey have been smooth, and sometimes the road got a little rough. But... My, what a Journey! All in all... it’s been a pretty good ride.

"I feel like if you want to look good...
find you a pretty tree and just stand beside it."
(Having my picture made was just not my favorite thing.)
                                                    ~ Jeanette

Five Ladies... and Hope

In July of 2010, I was asked to participate in an art project. It would involve five artists, five canvases, five journals and a five month commitment. Of course, my first response was NO WAY!! I did not have enough confidence in my artistic ability to be involved in such a big project. But in the end, I decided to go for it and see what transpired. Although it was a challenge, I really enjoyed the process. Each artist was to choose a theme, divide their own canvas into 5 sections, and on one of the sections, paint something that represented their chosen theme. There was also a journal to go along with each canvas to record the inspiration behind the theme. At the end of each month, the artists would meet to swap canvases/journals, but also to socialize and get to know each other a little better. Each artist had their own separate theme and we didn’t know what the others theme was until we got their canvas/journal. So each month we’d get a new theme that we had to use when working on that month’s canvas/journal.

The theme I chose was something meaningful to me... HOPE. A definition of hope is, "to look forward to with confidence or expectation" or "to expect and desire." The word has become more and more meaningful to me over the past few years as I have spent a lot of time in hope and prayer for family members and friends who are battling cancer.

I divided my canvas, and painted on the center portion. My vision for that section of the painting: "Even in the darkest moments, keep looking to the heavens and never lose hope."

In August, I received Joanne’s canvas and her theme was "Flying." My section of the painting is the mermaid "flying" through the water.

In September, I received Sherri’s canvas and her theme was "Stars." My section of the painting is the hand... "Reach for the Stars."

In October, I received Karen’s canvas and her theme was "Colors." She gave us 5 tubes of paint and we could paint anything as long as we only used the five colors. My section is the small checkerboard part of the painting.

In November, I received Gail’s canvas and her theme was "Moments in the Mountains." My section of the painting is the mountain silhouette at the top with the John Muir quote, "The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go.".


We took a month off in December, and had our final meeting in January 2011 to reveal the complete paintings for the first time to the group. What fun!


 I have made a card out of the "Five Ladies and Hope" painting, and, as with my other "Hope"cards, 100% of all commissions made on this card will be donated to cancer research.