On Generosity, Kindness...and being Grateful

Having cancer sucks.  It just plain does.  I'm not complaining...it is what it is, and I'll deal with it.  Just stating a fact.  But here's my problem, or one of them anyway.  I've always had a problem with Superwoman syndrome.  I can do it.  No matter what else is on my plate, I can do it.  You need me to _____?  Sure!  No problem.  Of course!  Well, having this stinking melanoma has changed that for me.  I have had to admit and accept  (boy, that's hard) that I can't do it all, especially around the house.

I was never Suzy Homemaker in the first place.  I'd rather play with the kids or watch TV or work on some project that I'll probably never finish, than take care of the house.  It's not dirty...just a tad messy.  It always needs picking up.  And having stupid cancer hasn't helped that situation.  While I was doing Interferon it was damn hard to do anything, let alone any big projects.  

So when my friends found out recently that my brain MRI showed the stupid melanoma had taken up residence in my head, they did some really nice things for my family and me.  I won't say what or who (you know who you are).  But I will say just how grateful I am for those people, and for their generosity and kindness.  You've made my life a little easier, and for that I am very, very grateful.  

May is "Skin Cancer" Awareness Month

May is almost here, and you all know what that means...or maybe you don't.  May is skin cancer awareness month.  Of the 31 days in May, only ONE is specifically set aside for Melanoma.  It's Melanoma Monday.  Next Monday.  May 6.  

All cancers have colors associated with them:

  

Clearly, the color that is associated with Melanoma is black.  Yes, American Academy of Dermatology...BLACK.  Not orange, as this uber silly campaign suggests.  Instead of listening to many of us in the melanoma community, they are persisting with this silliness, and I know I'm not the only one who is offended.  

The Melanoma Prayer Center on Facebook created an event for Melanoma Monday to paint Facebook black...the color it should be!  At last count, over 20,000 people had been invited, and almost 3,300 were attending.  Last I heard about the AAD event, about 600 people were attending.  What does that say?  It says that we're a very close community.  I can't understand why the AAD wouldn't listen to what we had to say.  

Anyway...Facebook will be BLACK on Melanoma Monday.  The only time I wear orange is during football season for the Bears.  

YES! Just one more vote to go!

So happy to wake and find this in my Inbox from Samantha Guild!  We're almost there!  So hope to be standing next to Gov. Quinn as he signs this extremely important legislation!

http://www.sj-r.com/thedome/x1416812865/Senate-passes-bill-to-ban-minors-from-tanning-salons