Please Check This Out and Vote...

My friend Mary sent me this:

Brett finished with Ewing's sarcoma treatment recently. He and Holly are
young and in love and could win a vacation from eHarmony. Their love
story is posted on the link below, and there is a voting button
underneath it.

Please give them a vote...or two. You can vote once a day through
January 23.

http://advice.eharmony.com/article/an-eharmony-success-couple-holly-and-brett.html

Thanks!

Today, I am grateful to make it through the first day of classes and a full day of work, for fun TV shows, family, friends, God and music :).

Rachel

Little Things Make me Happy

Anyone who has known me for awhile, knows that I am lucky-not just medically-but whenever there's a drawing or something of the sort, there's a pretty good chance I'll win. It still kind of amazes me to this day how often this happens. Off the top of my head, some of the things I can remember winning have included: a riverboat day cruise for my 2nd grade class and time on TV, a DVD player, an MP3 player, a karaoke machine, posters, CDs, books, etc.

So, on Friday there was a meeting for the art department at my university and there was a ticketed drawing. I sat there not really knowing anyone and intently studying my little red ticket when it was called. I walked up and was delighted to receive a T-shirt and a tote bag. What made me smile about them though was they were donated by an art store that I worked at for 3 years. I have fond memories-they were fantastic about supporting me through my cancer experiences. I worked there after the 3rd time I was diagnosed and would work when I was not undergoing treatments. This was where I applied to work about a month after finding out my grim diagnosis and wanted to just live life and have a job like a 'normal person'. When I was interviewed, I definitely down-played my situation a ton. Thankfully, it all worked out.

So now I have a new t-shirt and a new tote from a place I was proud to work and still love going by and saying hi!

Today, I am grateful for: opportunities, a great weekend!, a fun week ahead (I'll tell you more probably on Thurs. or Friday when I get back but I'll still check in if you want to leave a comment-hint, hint!), family, friends, God and life!

Rach

Why Winning is Important to Me

Besides being naturally competitive-I played basketball a large portion of my life and then field hockey, soccer, track, etc.-there is more to winning this Glamour contest than just competitiveness.

I think it gives the young adult cancer community-and cancer community in general-a place to be heard. It allows me to touch more people than I am now. I think one of the reasons I am still alive is to help others.

I think it can show what you CAN do as a survivor (and not the limitations)-not just of cancer even, but of other illnesses, diseases, etc. That the illness and its effects will remain for a long time and for a lot of people like me-forever. But that life goes on and you must deal with it.

That there is a way to give back to people and being open to others' battles in life and by doing that, you heal yourself in some ways.

I think it's really important to advocate when I can for people :).

If I win, I really feel it will be a victory for all of us because I will be thinking about how a bunch of amazing people-many I've never even met-stood behind me and supported me.

Thanks again.

I'll leave you with a quote I heard the other day on the radio about being bald-

"I am not losing my hair, I just am getting more scalp in!"

Today, I am grateful for support, friendship, amazing family and hubby and God.

Rachel