Am I really going to blog?: Book idea?

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Book idea?

I would like to compile a book of our stories. When Cameron was first sick, all I could find were books about the disease. Very technical. I had a hard time finding something to read about the children, the families and their experiences with chemo, radiation, transplant- good or bad. I wanted to read these first-hand experiences to help myself gain a better understanding. I can't do this alone. I have only one story.

If you are interested in participating in this project, please leave a comment, email me: ellebe123@hotmail.com or call me (I will send you my # if you don't already have it). If you are not comfortable doing the writing piece, maybe we can talk on the phone and I'll write it up for your approval. I'd also like to include pictures. I have no idea how long this will take. I would love to have at least 50 stories of our littlest warriors to include. This is open to the warriors, the parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, siblings.

You can believe that I am serious, I will follow through. I do have a publisher in mind, one used by a friend who published her journal after her son died in a tragic accident.

Also, if you think this is a terrible idea, let me know that too.

Thanks for your help,

Lori

2 comments:

herApril 26, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Lori, I do not have a story like you or any other parent that have walked in your shoes...but you need to contact Steph Weathers.

I think this is a wonderful encouraging inspiring connecting idea! Do it!

I do remember a sweet little girl...long ago whom I babysat(1983-840. She started having headaches at the age of 4. First sign was allergies...then we moved to another state. Her headaches worsened. We get a call saying she has cancer. One of our last visits to Dallas to see her I remember climbing into her bed. (Her beautiful face swollen from all the meds, Her huge brown eyes still hooking into your heart and pulling you in. Her spirit never faltered throughout her battle.) We hugged for what seemed like an hour while we were the only two in the room. I had just learned to sign "Jesus Loves Me" and taught it to her. We laughed till our tummies hurt! A nurse came in to check on her, and caught us enjoying life. She never told me to get out of the bed. She did however tell me that Lauren was the best patient on her rounds. She starting bragging on Lauren about the people she makes smile!

That was the last time I saw Lauren. She lost her battle but has given me a lifetime of special memories...babysitting her at age 4 thru laughing w/her in her hospital bed. She would of been 24 or 25 this year. I can not wait to see her face to face one day for eternity.

Thanks for helping me remember the sweetness of a little girl who was older than her 7 years on this planet earth!
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MonicaMay 7, 2009 at 3:06 PM
I think that's a wonderful idea!!
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I HOPE....

I hope you never have to hear the words, 'Your child has cancer.'

I hope you never have to hear, 'The prognosis is not good.'

I hope you never have to prepare to undergo radiation or chemotherapy, have a port surgically inserted into their chest, be connected to IV poles. Look at you with fear in their eyes and say, 'Don't worry Mommy, everything will be okay.'

I hope you never have to hold your child as they vomit green bile.

I hope you never have to feed them ice chips for lunch.

I hope you never have to watch the 'cure' you pray for slowly take away their identity, as they lose their hair, become skeletal, swell up from steroids, develop severe acne, become barely or unable to walk or move, and look at you with hope in their eyes and say,'It's going to be okay, Mommy.'

I hope that you never have to stay in the hospital for weeks, months, or years at a time, where there is no privacy, sleeping on a slab, with your face to the wall, where you cry in muffled silence.

I hope you never have to see a mother, alone, huddled, in a dark hospital corridor...crying quietly, after just being told, 'There is nothing more we can do.'

I hope you never have to watch a family wander aimlessly, minutes after their child's body has been removed.

I hope you never have to use every bit of energy you have left, with all of this going on around you to remain positive, and the feelings of guilt, sorrow, hope and fear, overwhelm you.

I hope you never have to see a child's head bolted to the table as they receive radiation.

I hope you never have to take your child home (grateful but so afraid) in a wheelchair because the chemo and radiation has damaged their muscles, 35 pounds lighter, pale, bald, and scarred. And they look at you with faith in their eyes and say, 'It's going to be okay Mommy.'

I hope you never have to face the few friends that have stuck beside you and hear them say, 'Thank God that is over with,'...because you know it never will be. Your life becomes a whirl of doctors, blood tests and MRI's and you try to get your life back to 'normal'. While living in mind-numbing fear that any one of those tests could result in hearing the dreaded words...'The cancer has returned' or 'The tumor is growing.' And your friends become even fewer.

I hope you never have to experience any of these things... Because...only then...Will you understand...

(author unknown)