West Newsmagazine Article

Mom and I enjoying dinner in Madrid

Since I did not get a chance to write about my trip, I wanted to share this great cover story that does a nice job explaining about the trip:

West Newsmagazine article  (click on the cover page and then go to pg. 44-45)

I jumped into school just hours from returning from Europe and have been going ever since with classes, practicum and lots of activities...

Next up on speaking:  Opening for Mitch Albom (author of Tuesdays with Morrie) in November!  Can't wait!

Today, I am grateful for life experiences, blessings, learning and challenges, and most of all: family, friends and God.

Love,
Rachel

Update and Articles...

I've been doing some PR interviews lately and have enjoyed the experience.

One article is about the cost of cancer on MarketWatch.com: Poor prognosis on payments: You can survive cancer and still be laid low -- by the bills (my quote on pg. 2) and mention of the amazing organization the SAMFund!

The other article, about cancer and pain, appears on the front page of Pain Solutions Magazine's website: A Breakthrough in Understanding Cancer Pain: THE AMERICAN PAIN FOUNDATION’S NEW SURVEY REVEALS THE VAST PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND FINANCIAL TOLL OF BREAKTHROUGH CANCER PAIN

Finally, I received my letter from grad school. I am one of 30 candidates for the Art Therapy Counseling Program!! I have interviews in a couple weeks and then they will pick 10 of us as the final class. I am very excited about the process.

Today, I am grateful for peacefulness amongst the hectic, joy amongst pain, supportive family, amazing friends and God and things always working out some way or another!

Rachel

National Pain Awareness Day

In honor of National Pain Awareness Day, I thought I'd share one of their publications with you (you can also find my story on the front page)

Pain Community News

I am in Santa Ana, California speaking tonight at this event with the Cameron Siemers Foundation for Hope...I'm really looking forward to it!

Today, I am thankful for so much and an amazing week-celebrating my grandma's life, having a triple date with inspiring people and sharing time with friend and family.

Love,
Rachel

Article in the Newspaper...

Last week, in honor of my 5 year anniversary, I was on the front page of the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Click here for the article.

Today, I am grateful for a fabulous few weeks off school, lots of great people in my life that I can truly trust, a great internship, friends, family and God!

Love,
Rachel

Yes, I Went Missing Again...

Between mid-terms and being sick, I really have not done much else...

I am overjoyed though to be done with 2 big midterms and everything else! The sickness is SO close to being gone and that makes me happy too...

Other randomness: This was a really interesting article about advancements and the future of some cancer treatments...check it out!

And now...one more class, a massage and sleep.

Today, I am grateful for a much needed massage, spring break!, friends, family, God and everything else :).

Rachel

Cancer Miracles...

A friend sent me this interesting article that is in the March 2nd Forbes magazine: Cancer Miracles

Today, I am grateful for the weekend to rest, family, friends and God.

Rachel

Inspiring

Teen girl conquers terminal cancer and a stroke (click here for full story)

Pretty awesome!

Today, I'm thankful for the break, family, friends and God.

Rach

Interesting Cancer Article...

My cousin sent me this from the NY Times-

Study Suggests Some Cancers May Go Away (click on it for full article).

Not sure what to think about it but the concept is intriguing...

Today, I am grateful for T minus 1 til a BREAK!, family, friends, God, hope and sleeping.

Rach

14 Quick Energy Boosters

I know I struggle with tiredness and fatigue, like most people-especially those with illnesses. I stumbled upon this article from Real Simple magazine. It had a few new ideas! I'm a fan of singing out loud (well, only if alone or with close friends or family...my voice is not so great.)

Today, I am grateful for: health, beautiful days, a fun weekend ahead, love, friends, God and family.

Rachel

Moments by Lori Brower

I follow a blog called My War with Cancer about Nick- in his own words, "My name is Nicholas Raitt and I am 19 years old. On April 12, 2007 (at age 18), I was diagnosed with stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma - a very rare childhood cancer, located in my right sinus area. On April 15, 2008, I was confirmed to have no evidence of disease." (Congrats!!)

His mom wrote a beautiful article that I think is worth checking out: moments By Lori Brower. It was interesting for me to see what it is like from a parent's perspective...some moments, like graduation from high school, are so very similar to my own. Thanks, Lori, for the insights!

Today, I am grateful to be able to give back to someone who has done an incredible amount for me (my mom), family, friends and God.

Rachel

Using Art To Explain Pain

In an article on healthcentral.com, Karen Lee Richards discusses how Mark Collen dealt with pain and conveyed it to his doctor-through art and poetry. I think that if that is something that can help you deal, then go for it. I know art and writing have helped me to work through a lot of feelings!

Mark Collen's website, where others share their artwork about pain, can be found at: www.painexhibit.com/

Today, I am grateful for a wonderful dinner with loved ones last night, a morning with mom, friends, family and God.

Rach

If at First You Don't Succeed...

Original Photography by Rachel 2007

If at First You Don't Succeed, You're in Excellent Company

By MELINDA BECK
(from the Wall Street Journal online)

Just keep going...that's the most any of us can do at any given time.

Today, I am grateful for: another small speaking part at a charity event tomorrow night at a fancy shoe store (I am a pretty big fan of shoes...), a wonderful double date Monday night, one more class between me and break!, friends, family, God and all the exciting things that are happening and keeping me busy but happy!

Rach

CURE magazine-Rachel Update

Hah, I totally forgot CURE magazine was doing a followup story on me in the current issue. I think I gave that interview in the hallway at school between classes or something (on the cell phone). It seems like such a blur!



Thanks to Mary who saw it and reminded me...and guess what? If you check it out, you'll even see what my amazing fiance looks like!



Check it out by clicking here!



Today, I am grateful that: my story helps others, for life, another week and a half until school starts up, finally making it to Whole Foods, God, family and friends.



Love,

Rach