Meet Taiya

Greeting’s from what will soon be the “artic-tundra” a.k.a Canada!

When I told Cathy I would write up a guest post on her blog I had about a trillion idea’s in which I could write about. Then this happened….. I went blank. It was like walking into the grocery store after you left your list at home. Blank. Nothing. Zip. *crickets*

Then a vision appeared before me on my computer screen. A vision so precious and sweet, it takes your breath away.

Meet Taiya.

Taiya is 5 years old.

She loves all things that 5 year old girls do. She has friends, a loving family, a little sister and leukemia.

On August 29^th she was diagnosed with AML (acute myloid leukemia) a cancer in her blood.

This type of leukemia is located at the stem cells of the blood and therefore affects all her blood cells. Her chemotherapy will be very intense, she will spend many weeks in the hospital to receive the chemo, and to manage the complications. In particular she will be at a very high risk of significant infections (particularly bacterial and fungal) following her chemotherapy, and will have to be monitored very closely. At present the treatment plan is to give Taiya 5 cycles of chemotherapy, 4-6 weeks apart.

Her family lives locally where I live. So when I caught wind of what Taiya was up against, I knew I could help. After all, I am a mother of four daughters myself. A mother that knows that no child should be this sick…ever.
While I know that I cannot make Taiya better (but if I could, you bet I would!), I know that I can help her family. As parents, heck as HUMANS, we should give support when others are falling.

So that is where the awesome Cathy of Cathy’s creations comes into play. She inspired me, like so many others, to help. To open my heart as big as it can and give. To teach my children to give, to be a better person, mother, friend , human.

I have a small business that I run. I sew and quilt. It makes my head quiet and my heart happy as I do it. What started as a hobby has turned into passion.
It occurred to me that I could take the contacts that I have made and have them help me, help Taiya.

So may I present to you, my gift to Taiya and her family!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Taiya-MacLean-Charitable-Auction/135101049924115.

A darling friend of mine and I have decided to have a charitable online auction that will take place on November 12-13^th 2011.
We have all sorts of wonderful goods donated from local as well as worldwide angels.
Please consider donating and/or purchasing from the auction that weekend. Purchase some wonderful Christmas gifts all while helping a family in need of support.
If you are interested in donating to Taiya’s auction please email myself, Brenda at: fourdaisies4d@yahoo.ca .

Thank you to Cathy for allowing me be a guest on this wonderful blog of hers, and also thank you for reminding thousands of people daily to stand up and help.

Blessings,

Brenda Maks
owner , Four Daisies Quilting & Sewing

October 15th - Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance/Awareness Day

October 15th-We remember and honor the little lives
that were lost.

A dear friend posted this on her wall today. I asked her if she would allow me to
share it with all of you. She graciously agreed.

Love you, Cori!

Most of you are aware that I have 2 beautiful children, Roman and Kalista, who are my life. Sure, they make me want to pull my hair out at times, but I love them with all of my heart and cannot imagine life without them. What some of my "newer" friends may not know is that I was pregnant once before Roman.

In 2005, less than a year into my marriage, I found myself pregnant for the first time. It was a roller coaster of emotions in the beginning and we thought we were losing the baby more than once. Eventually, my pregnancy seemed like it was progressing normally and I realized I was truly going to be a mom. I was due in July of 2006 and aside from living in Louisiana while extremely pregnant that summer, things were perfect. I found out in February that I was having a boy, started buying baby gear and lots of little blue clothes, and got the nursery all put together.

About 10 days before my due date, I didn't feel well. I had a horrible headache and really just didn't feel right. I drove myself in to Labor & Delivery and thought maybe I was just in an early stage of labor or something. After I arrived, I did the usual routine for any pregnant women - give the nurses all of my info, check vitals, pee in a cup, etc. Then, the nurse attempted to check my baby's heart rate. She couldn't find a heartbeat anywhere. An obstetrician came in with an ultrasound machine to see if he could find it. I will never forget the image on that screen of my baby boy curled up inside of me with his still, unbeating heart.

My child had died before I'd ever gotten to meet him. I had spent 9 months loving and preparing for my son and I would never get to parent him. I'm sure most of you have never contemplated what happens when a woman loses her baby at full-term but I certainly was not ready for it. In the moment, I begged to just be put to sleep and given a c-section. I felt dead inside at the time and I could not even fathom what the doctors were asking of me. They were going to induce labor and I was going to deliver my baby just as any other mother would.

Before I was induced, I consented to an amniocentesis. At the time, I just wanted to know "why" and any testing I could possibly do to give me an answer was worth it to me. It was painful but I was given some pretty strong drugs since there was no concern of the "dangerous" painkillers reaching my baby. My body had not even begun to prepare for delivering my baby yet so it was a long and awful process to be induced. On July 3, 2006 -almost 2 full days after first seeing his still heart on the screen, I delivered my angel. Obviously, the room was very somber. Nurses were crying right along with my mother and me. (ex-husband was not in the room - another story for another day) The doctors had warned us that once a baby passes away inside the womb, that they usually are not born without some "imperfections." I had hoped the whole thing was a mistake and I would hear him cry when he came out but it was so silent in my room. My son was absolutely perfect. Silent, but peaceful and absolutely beautiful.

His name was Aleksandr. He was named the day we found out I was having a boy. I had been looking forward to bringing him home to show him all of the little personalized things in the nursery - the wooden letters spelling his name on the windowsill, the "Aleksandr's Room" sign on the door... and he would never get to see any of it. I was given some time to hold him and to take in what an amazingly beautiful boy he was. I can still remember the heart-wrenching pain of watching the nurses wheel his bassinet away knowing I would never see my boy again.

The days that followed were, without a doubt, the darkest days of my life. The pain from losing a child is truly unimaginable. Planning your child's funeral is the type of horror you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. I had to make plans and pick out a casket and grave marker. I don't even know how I made those decisions in my state of mind. I think for the most part, I was simply confused. How could this happen to me? To my child? I tried not to question God but couldn't help it. I loved my child. I would have given anything for him. How could He take away my baby? I was angry. So angry. I truly thought that my faith in anything good was lost. Depression doesn't even fully describe the state of hell I was living.

When I was pregnant, I joined an online "due date club" on a parenting website- lots of other women who were all due in July. It was really helpful to go through all of the phases of our pregnancies together and to compare things to see what was "normal." After I lost Aleksandr, I found my way to another group on this website - the Pregnancy and Infant Loss group. The women in that group pulled me back into reality. It's an awful club to be a part of but it makes life a lot less lonely when you know that others have been through the same type of pain and survived it. I don't really remember when it happened but at some point, I went from accepting advice and support to offering it to others. I don't think there is any other therapy that could have helped me more than to feel like I was helping other women who were going through the hell that I had just lived.

Why is pregnancy loss such a taboo subject? 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage and close to 1 in 100 end in stillbirth (losing the baby at 20weeks pregnant or later). Out of the babies who are stillborn, close to 40% are termed SADS - Sudden Antenatal Death Syndrome ( the pre-birth equivalent to SIDS) meaning there is never any diagnosed reason that caused the baby's death. That was the case with my Aleksandr. Because the subject is uncomfortable, our society chooses to pretend pregnancy loss is not happening. The women suffering from losing babies are made to feel like they must lock their pain up inside and pretend nothing ever happened. Even 5 years later, I still don't fully feel comfortable talking about Aleksandr except with some close friends. Why should I be the one to worry about making others uncomfortable? I am the one who had to bury my own child. I hate that there's a worry for women that people will think they did something wrong or somehow contributed to their losses - It is rare that this is the case.

So, why am I writing about this now? October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance/Awareness Day. It is meant to be a day for us to remember the babies we've lost and to help people realize that this is happening every day. It is not something that anyone should have to deal with but, sadly, some of you probably have or will. I want women (and men, for that matter) to feel that they can be open about their losses without being judged or outcast when they need support, prayers, and love. I hope that by writing this out, at least one or two of you take a few minutes on Saturday to think about the babies we've said goodbye to too soon and maybe say a prayer for the moms and dads who have to live life knowing that a member of their family is missing.

I know this was long. Thanks for reading.

We remember.

Earlier this year I got a request to make a special bracelet for one of the Frikes mother. Her brother was leaving to go oversees and he was EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal). She wanted her mom to have a special bracelet while he was overseas.

Months later, she emailed me with the horrible news. Her brother lost his life doing serving his country doing EOD, so this one is for you, Jordan Emrick. ♥

Through the month of July, $5 from the sale of EVERY bracelet (including the Deal of the Day) will be donated to the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation in Jordan Emrick's name.

Christi, Jordan's brother, wrote this:

When attending the EOD Memorial in FL in May I had the privilege of meeting many of these wounded EOD warriors. I was humbled by their courage and determination and their utter lack of anger towards the military. Many were being fitted for prosthetics and reenlisting for other positions just so that they could remain in their military family. The EOD is a unique group, they are truly a family. Each one looks out for the other, and each one is just as important as another. Jordan couldn't have found a better group to be a part of. These men/women are amazing, and they continue to look out for my family. I am still receiving emails and facebook messages from several regularly checking on us. They are truly brothers and sisters in the truest form. Jordan would be so honored to know that you are donating in his name. It's like he is still looking out for them.

Thank you, Christi, for allowing me to do this; thanks to the men and women serving our country every day; thanks to those who have given their lives; and thanks to the family members and friends who miss them every day. There's nothing we can do to repay you, but we will always remember.

I Am a Survivor- Cancer Survivors Day

All cancer survivors can vividly recall the moment the disease invaded their lives.

Last year in the United States, more than one and a half million men and women were estimated to be diagnosed with cancer -- and more than half a million people were expected to die from the disease.

The statistics are sobering. But on the other side of diagnosis are nearly 12 million Americans who have been classified as survivors by a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- the authors credit early detection, an aging population, improved diagnostic methods and more effective treatment among the reasons why.

Behind these numbers are the stories of these millions of survivors, who each have their own tale to tell.

To honor all the Frike Survivors, I would like each survivor to comment and tell us how long you have been cancer free and anything else you would like to share with us. In return, I will be gifting pairs of earrings to you to thank you for taking the time to share your story with us.
(Please post your email address so I can contact you for your address)

Our Heroes...we remember and honor them

A dear friend of mine and a cancer survivor, Lisa Voveris, will be participating in the Relay for Life. During the relay, they light up lumina bags with names of survivors and brave fighters that lost their battle to cancer.

It gave me an idea, how about I pick 10 people and purchase 10 bags with their loved ones name on them. Well, if you have been a Frike from the beginning, you know that I don't do well with limits.

Below, in red, are the names of the cancer warriors that will appear on lumina bags at the Relay for Life.

Jeanne A. - Is fighting now. Kimberly S.- (A single mom of a 2 year old) lost her battle last summer. Both are BZ friend

My aunt Dorothy is a 3 time survivor of breast cancer. My great-grandma Effie died of cancer when I was 10 or 11. My uncle Royce (dorothy's husband) died in 2005 of stomach and bone cancer.

Raye Godfree. She was such a fighter but lost her fight to breast cancer. She left behind 2 young daughters and a husband. She was amazing and such a brave woman.

My custodian at school is a survivor, her first name is Miriam. And also my dean at school is a survivor

Ryder Richards my nephew, currently fighting, he is only 2

My godmother (Patty B)is currently fighting lung cancer that has now spread to her liver.

My friends mom Kathy Baumer, fighting breast cancer

Gay is fighting cancer now and its almost beaten her. Colon then lung and now bone. Im sitting with her this weekend. Shes only 51 yrs old.

My Aunt Becky lost her fight with ovarian cancer this past March. We were so lucky to have been able to celebrate her last birthday less than two weeks prior to that. ♥

My friend Theresa Carriere is a double breast cancer survivor and is going to run her One Survivor, One Day, One Hundred kms for breast cancer. Last year she raised over $180,000.00 for breast cancer.

Linda Christine Harding 1950-2009 r.i.p. My mother my hero strongest woman I'll ever know.

My exs mother Mable. Started as uterine cancer..when she died it had spread to her breasts, liver, lungs, and brain. I never met her but from what I was told she was an amazing woman.

My sister Suzanne. Diagnosed at 29 with breast cancer and passed away at 36.

My Dad. Peter Thomas Fitzgerald 1938-1994.

My grandmother Carolyn Whitebread was diagnosed with two different type of cancer. Once when I was 13, which she lived on with no sign of anything. And then again when I was just shy of 21. Died on Thanksgiving week, she said she was ready.

My dear friend miss Linda! She is a survivor!! She works at my daughters school and is the most amazing woman I know! She is me when I'm not there at the school and my girls need a pat on the back or a hug! We love miss linda and honor her!!

Both my grammies, Kathleen and Leeta are cancer survivors!

Pastor Deb MacDonald surviving breast cancer! Ruth Calder passed because of lung cancer, Harper Calder passed because of colon cancer- they were my husbands wonderful grandparents ♥

My husband's mother, Colette Parker Bartlett lost her battle with breast cancer when he was a child. I never got to meet her, and neither will her grandchildren, but we keep pictures and family stories around to keep her memory alive. My daughter carries her name to honor her. She will be forever missed.

Pastor Jim Beals, he lost his battle a couple years ago. I dunno if you have 10 yet but Autumn Gossett is a survivor. To top it off, she was pregnant a good portion of the time she was undergoing treatment, and when she was diagnosed, so I guess technically both her and her daughter are both survivors.

My grandfather survived colon cancer. He was the rockingest grandfather you could have. His name was Vern. My grandmother survive cancer three times before giving in. It's been 9 years without her and I still miss her. She had three kids and there have been so many times that I wish I could call her. Her name was Barbara. Two of my uncles have survived skin cancer, Danny and David.

My grandma Peggy Arline Klein died from breast cancer when I was 7 and my father in law Jeff Pult survived colon cancer in 2000

Wendy Kay Giles Armstrong. She is STILL fighting! 18 months now...

Doreen Ruth King died of small cell cancer September 24, 1999 and Charlie Yackobeck died of prostate cancer October 11, 2006. My mom's mom and my dad's dad, two beautiful angels in heaven. Also, Vivian Brooks, survivor of breast cancer. My friend's mom who has been in remission since last fall. ♥♥♥

Philip Case, lost his battle in less than 3 months, last June.

My best friend's husband, James Dinneen, died at the age of 30, left behind his beautiful wife and my godchildren, aged 4 and 18 months at the time. So sad.

My dad, Mike lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in 2003.

After 2 long hard battles with breast cancer she decided to live her life out w/out fighting the 3rd time. Breast cancer may have taken her life...but her name & memory live on forever. Dorothea Sandkamp. I miss you Oma. We My amazing Aunt Donna lost her battle with Pancreatic cancer after 1 very short month. Miss you Aunt Donna.

My husband.... Allen and my best friend Susan both fought and are beating Hodgkin's lymphoma, my other good friend, Susan, fought and beat breast cancer! My mother in law beat cervical cancer.... Sadly my co- worker's niece lost her battle at the age of 4 to neuroblastoma last year. There are more I'm sure but that is off the top of my head. I thank God for my husbands survival every day!

My grandma Selma had a very rare skin cancer before she died. It was very slow growing so when it came back the second time she died of natural causes. If they had decided to treat it they would've had to take her nose.

My Mom Sandy is an 11 year breast cancer survivor. I lost my Grandpa, Willard, to Mesothelioma 2 years ago after a short, 6 week battle. :'( I miss you, Grandpa!

Margie Carroll my step mom(mom) died Nov 2001 after battling every type of cancer for 9 years and never dropped the smile from her face and loving unconditionally.

My bestfriend Bernadette Leno! She has fought off Triple Negative Breast Cancer! She is just about to wrap up Chemo and start radiation!

My daddy died of lung cancer in August 1978 Alton Leroy Bynum, Jr.

Joan Chancellor, small cell progressive lung cancer. Diagnosed in June, passed in July. Edith Armstrong, by the time it was found her body was consumed by cancer. Tom Armstrong, has been fighting cancer in his eyes for years and it has now traveled into the brain. We are praying for a quick, peaceful passing.

My uncle Brian died at 42, leaving behind my three cousins who were very young. My grandfather, Nelson McCulley, my aunt June and her husband Walter both lost their battles. My aunt Helene is living with breast cancer, my mother had melanom...a which she was lucky to catch early and had removed entirely. My brother's ex-MIL, Margaret Mailloux, died of breast cancer. My mother's best friend's son David Loney survived lymphoma as a teenager and now has a beautiful son.See More

Anne Newman, died of lung cancer just this past January.

My daughter's soon to be MIL has just finished the last of radiation for breast cancer (after her chemo). Also my SIL who is only 26 has melanoma. Did I ever tell you that you are so awesome and one of the greatest people to walk the earth? ♥ YOU! Both my mom's parents passed from cancer. My grandmother from brain cancer (thankfully it was quick and she never knew) and my grandfather had leukemia.

My aunt Marge lost her battle with cancer in January of this year.

A BZ mom's 4 yr old son is surviving brain cancer. Thomas Winfrey (mom is Sandra Krakover Winfrey) was diagnosed shortly before he turned 3! He is one strong and amazing boy!

My dh's cousin Cathy Nelson was recently diagnosed with colon cancer.

Gerald Wanderlick..he's my grandfather who lost his life to prostate cancer in 2006

Ashlee Rutledge-Barrientos I would LOVE to see Dani's name....Danielle Rutledge, as most of you know, she lost her 8yr fight with brain cancer a week ago today, at the age of 26.

My cousin Lisa Sytek is a breast cancer survivor.

Marcia Turner My stepson Charlie Turner is a Leukemia survivor. Diagnosed at age 3, he's now 16 and due to get his driver's license in June!) Marcia Turner My mom was Linda Rohrs. Cathy, please message me if you could use some help with the bags. You have the connections, I can help with some funds. I'd be honored.

My mother-in-law Eleanor Conz lost her battle.

Amanda Langford I'm a survivor :)

My Mother-in-law Sue Bommarito lost her fight to Thyroid Cancer and Father-in-law had Prostate Cancer when we lost him (they died 1 year 11 months 1 day apart, God rest their souls). He just past last month before Easter :( John Bommarito

Cathy, I ♥ you for all these wonderful things you do. If you still have room, our wonderful daycare lady, Tracey Eisenhauer, is a breast cancer survivor. She went for her first mammogram 2 months after turning 40 & was diagnosed with breast cancer weeks later. my uncle Joe Alemagna lost his 12 year battle with various cancers in Feb 2003.

Cathy I'd like to contribute too in honor of my friend Jennie Grimes who is fighting stage 4 breast cancer as we speak.

My mom, Kathryn Sparling, is a breast cancer survivor.

James Joyce is a prostate cancer survivor

My childhood BFF, Jennifer Grey lost her battle to brain cancer at age 6. My grandma, Ora Green survived breast cancer, then 6 years later died from uterine cancer 5 days after my first was born. Cathy, you're amazing.

My great Aunt, Ruth Peck, lost her fight in 2009.

My mom is a breast cancer survivor, Kathy Cribbs

Alana L. Correale ooo my aunt mary amato is a lung cancer survivor, my aunt Jo Shrouder sadly lost her battle with cancer last July

My sister Christie Nix is a breast cancer survivor. She passed the five year mark!

My mommy, Ann Williams! Miss her soooo much every day.

Nancy Hanes, My grandmother. 2 Time breast cancer survivor. Currently battling bone and breast cancer (again) at the age of 71.

My sweet mom, Sophia that lost her battle with breast cancer after a 20 year fight and my aunt, her sister, Popi that lost her battle with liver cancer

Lisa Knight Voveris 3Yrs clean after my battle with cervical cancer!

Stephanie Grieve, my sister, breast cancer survivor. Jason Banks, my brother, thyroid cancer fighter.

Ryan Slattery

Grandma Rose still fighting lung cancer and my aunt Mimi that passed from cervical cancer

My Mother, Marilyn Humes an 11 year Survivor of Brest Cancer and my Grandmother, Bernice Harper 26 year Survivor of Breast Cancer... I walk for them...and for all that can't...Love You! XoXo

A wonderful cause

I want to introduce you to Allison.

Isn't she beautiful? That face just makes me smile. :)

Allison's parents, Jacki and Justin Nielson, took her to the Dr. because of a simple fever and swollen lymph nodes. Imagine their shock when they found out she has stage 4 neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma is a malignant tumor that develops from nerve tissue. It occurs in infants and children. It can occur in many parts of the body, and its cause is unknown. Neuroblastoma is most commonly diagnosed in children before age 5.

Allison will turn 3 this month. She's already had 1 round of chemo and is remaining spunky so far, running her family up and down the halls of the hospital with her medicine tree while she rides a trike.

Visit the Support Baby Allison facebook group to view updates on Allison's journey, and ask to join the group if you'd like to leave a message of support.

I imagine the costs the Nielson family has incurred throughout this ordeal are monumental, so I designed this bracelet to help. $5 from the sale of each bracelet will go to them to help offset some of their costs.

If it's not your style, Click on the button at the top right of the blog to
donate to the Nielsen family!