Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Well the Wissahickon Valley Relay for Life event this past weekend was a huge success for our two teams. Together we raised over $4000 for the American Cancer Society and had a fabulous time to boot!!! The best part was that Charlie was there almost the entire day Saturday from about 1pm to 9pm. I think he really enjoyed all the ceremonies, the Survivors Dinner, and just hanging out at our camp site with all the people who were there to participate in team "Charlie Brown." You could tell that he was getting tired, but he really wanted to stay for the luminaria ceremony...and it was beautiful. Probably a thousand + luminaries were lit up with each one bearing the of a person who had to battle cancer. As we walked the track in silence, every name on every luminary was read over the PA system...very inspiring.

This picture is from Sunday morning in the parking lot at the end of Relay. The small Charlie Brown doll in the picture was on the track at all times during the 24 hour relay. Every team member carried this doll for some time during Relay. Kim laughed and said that Charlie is starting to look like the cartoon Charlie Brown.

As far as how Charlie has been feeling, well they are still weaning him off the steroids, so he is experiencing a lot of fatigue which is frustrating for Charlie mentally. But he was assured that this is a normal side effect of being taken off the drug. Also he had a follow up CAT scan last Thursday, so this Thursday he has a doctor's appointment and will receive the results. Please pray that they are good!!!

Thank you to everyone who donated to and/or participated in Relay for Life in the name of Charlie Brown...I know a few times at Relay Charlie was emotional just thinking about all the love and support given to both Kim and himself.

Charlie is fighting with all he has...he wants to get better and stay better. We will know a lot more about is medical status after the CT results are known...we are all staying positive. Please keep the prayers coming...they never go unheard.

Love,
Barb

Teams "Charlie Brown and Charlie Brown Friends"

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Relay For Life Event May 21-22, 2010 ~ Wissahickon Valley Pa.

Teams "Charlie Brown" are a tribute to our very own,the late Charles Brown. We are in this battle along with so many others who are in their own war against cancer. At Relay our teams will camp out overnight and take turns walking around the track to raise money and awareness benefiting the American Cancer Society. By donating to our team, you will be a part of a life-changing event that gives everyone in the community a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much. Please make a donation and help us create a world where cancer can no longer claim another year of anyone’s life. Thank you for your love and support but mostly for the hope you have given to those in the battle and to those who do not yet know they will have to fight against cancer.

10 Steps to Help Quit Smoking

1. MAKE A DATE and stick to it. Draw up a plan of action, considering what methods are available to you.

2. KEEP BUSY to help take your mind off cigarettes. Throw away all your ashtrays, lighters and tobacco.

3. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS - keep a glass of water or juice by you and sip it steadily. Try different flavours.

4. GET MORE ACTIVE - Walk instead of using the bus or car. Try the stairs instead of the lift. Exercise helps you relax and can boost your morale.

5. THINK POSITIVE - Withdrawal can be unpleasant, bit it is a sign your body is recovering from the effects of tobacco. Irritability, urges to smoke and poor concentration are common - don't worry, they usually disappear after a few of weeks.

6. CHANGE YOUR ROUTINE - Try to avoid the shop you usually buy cigarettes. Perhaps you should avoid the pub or the break room at work if there are lots of smokers around you. Try doing something totally different. Surprise yourself!

7. NO EXCUSES - Don't use a crisis or even good news to be an excuse for "just one cigarette" there is no such thing - you will soon want the next and the next....

8. TREAT YOURSELF - This is important. If you can, use the money you are saving by not smoking to buy yourself something special - big or small - that you usually would not have.

9. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU EAT - Try not to snack on fatty foods. If you do need to snack, try fruit, raw vegetables or sugar free gum or sweets.

10. TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME - each day without a cigarette is good news for your health, your family..and your pocket.

Charlie's Blog - A Battle with Lung Cancer