Happy 2017!

So, this year, wouldn't it be great if they found a cure for all cancers?

Recently, one of the strongest young ladies that influenced me (emma Rose) has relapsed with her leukemia.
I wanted to send a big virtual bear hug and sincere good thoughts to you Emma!
You are a strong warrior princess...and I know you will beat this yet again!

You have influenced me in how I fought my leukemia.  You have influenced me to help others in need...from baking cookies and delivering them to my doctor's chemo area, making gift bags to those staying in the hospital with things like lip balms, puzzle books, and good soft kleenex, and even starting a cancer support group at my church (we didn't get much activity, but we tried).
Your positive attitude helped me with my fight-- I had just been diagnosed and found your facebook page and it helped me in numerous ways.  I remember being up in the middle of the night, lying in my hospital bed, and just crying.  I was nervous.  I was lonely.  I felt like I was being punished by God.  I was scared.  I felt like my life was over.  And, I got over it.  I cried and I missed my family.
I felt like a big experiment.  From my skin breaking out in an itchy rash to the yeast infections to the skin peeling off my lips constantly.  Getting c-diff, being denied coverage on necessary medications, and mouth sores and daily blood products were just the icing on the cake.  Now I know.  Now I brave whatever comes at me...and I have your positive attitude that helped me look at things differently.
Thank you.
You Got This!

If you would like to help Emma collect toys and giftcards for children at her local hospitals who are fighting cancer--- please help her here:
https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/2KHP1FSC327DA/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_ws_ui-Swb0H1VBZ8

For more info on her awesome idea and Emma, click here:
https://www.facebook.com/EmmaRose4P/

Feeling Blessed by helping others

I have been blessed yesterday and today.

Yesterday, I was able to make some peanut butter cookies to take to the chemo bar.  No appointment, I'm great, but I just wanted to surprise those sitting there getting their meds on a hot and muggy Monday.

I think it was well received.

Today, I was walking a neighborhood, doorknocking and handing out flyers. I had no work appointments, so I thought it would be okay to spend an hour trying to drum up some business.  Going from one door to another, a little elderly lady yelled from across the street, "Miss, can you help me?"

She was attached to a portable oxygen machine and was struggling to get her groceries out of her trunk.  Today was cooler than the last few days, but it was still in the mid to upper 80s.  Turns out she has COPD and a few other issues...and every time she talked it sounded like she was out of breath.  

I carried her groceries inside, set everything on the counter and helped her attach to her big oxygen machine in the living room.  As we were talking and chatting, she reached over to give me a big hug and tell me that I really made her day.  She doesn't have any family around here and its pretty lonely.

I feel like she was the reason I had no appointments and decided to go knock on doors in that neighborhood to see if anyone wanted to sell their home.  She was the only reason, even though my sweaty self was able to hand out 15 flyers (market updates in that neighborhood) and have 3 really good conversations in less than 2 hours.  

How can I make a difference?

I ponder that  question all the time.  I am always searching for a way to make my mark on the world.  What's wrong with me?


Yesterday, I had this thought about making a regular thing of delivering cookies to the chemo bar.   That's all.  I just want to make someone's day, and I know my cookies are good and can put a smile on someone's face.  Plus, it gives me an excuse to go visit and talk to everyone. But, then, I googled, "Cancer for Cookies" and "cookies for chemo".  I looked up other non-profits to see if there was anything local or if that name was available.  I suddenly in my head formed my own non-profit and visualized me baking cookies with others and delivering them all over the area...like a growing superstar of a corporation, holding fundraisers, recruiting volunteers, even having a silent auction!  I can't just be simple. 


Then, this morning, it kinda became clear, as I was in the middle state where you are just waking up, but still remember what you dreamt about five minutes earlier.  It dawned on me, that its not about making your mark in the world.  Its about helping.  Do I want to be "known" or "popular" or do I want to help another?  High school and popularity has been over with for twenty years, Lisa, hasn't it?  I wasn't popular then, but I wanted it so badly.  I think that craving never left.  I'm scared that craving never left and that's why I do what I do half the time. 


I realized I need to put this in perspective:
I don't want any awards and I'm not looking for praise for making cookies.
I really like to bake.
I like to feel like I am doing good and helping someone.
I am going through cancer, and I know what chemo feels like and what it does to you.
I can relate.
It makes me feel better to bake.
My cookies are pretty good.
Cookies are pretty inexpensive and well appreciated when you are in chemo for 3-6 hours at a time.


So, I just re-wired my brain.  Just now.  Yes, Lisa, you can make a difference and help others.  You will feel awesome about yourself, just by seeing the smiles of the other cancer patients when you drop off cookies.  Its not about the recognition.


See, that's it:  Its not about the recognition.  I think a lot of people do things for the recognition.  A charity run or walk...you get this tshirt...a show off item, so you can get recognized.  I raised money for jump rope for heart when I was younger-- I did it so I could hang out with my friends after school and get neat (krappy) prizes.  I didn't do it to help those with heart disease or heart research.  Nowadays, I donate and do things for the humane society because I firmly believe they are a good organization.  Frank came from there, and I used to volunteer there (years ago before I got frank).  Now, I try to drop off treats, food, blankets, and paper towels and such when there is a good sale to try to help them out when I can.  I don't do it for the recognition.  I do it because I love the animals and I hate seeing these dogs and cats homeless and in cages.  I do it because I want those animals to have a good treat or toy or blankie all their own until they get a great home.


We all have something we care deeply about.  Everyone can make a difference in their own way.  Isn't that what social responsibility is?  Not just recycling and upcycling and being environmentally conscious, but also being morally uplifting?  I don't want to call it anything other than that.  Morally uplifting.