QVC

On August 1, 2009, 2 pm Eastern/11 am Pacific, QVC will host Super Saturday Live, a nationally televised sales event featuring designer products in support of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). The net proceeds from this event will be donated to OCRF to advance ovarian cancer research, raise awareness of the disease, and eventually find a cure.

In support of the fight against ovarian cancer, QVC has invited top brand names and companies to donate high-quality apparel, accessories, beauty, jewelry, and home goods at wholesale cost. This merchandise will be sold during the Super Saturday Live event both on QVC's broadcast and QVC.com with all net proceeds benefiting OCRF. In 2007, Super Saturday 10 – which boasted a number of top brand names, media attention, and celebrity attendees – raised over $3.2 million with all proceeds benefiting OCRF. Check out the brands that have partnered with QVC and OCRF this year to make this event a success (this is an abbreviated list):

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Ovarian Cancer 2009

There is no denying that the following statistics are alarming. It is good to have the information if you are at all concerned. My sister recently died from Ovarian Cancer so I went and had as many tests as were recommended. All of my tests came back negative. I took my son to see a Martial Arts expert 2 weeks ago. He happened to mention that his wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 8 years ago! I do not know all of her details but he said she was fine now. Some will survive. Here are some basic highlights:

The American Cancer Society estimates that over 21,550 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and an estimated 14,600 will die of the disease in the United States in 2009.

In the U.S., 1 in 71 women are at risk of getting invasive ovarian cancer during their lifetime.

The lifetime risk of developing invasive ovarian cancer and dying from it are 1 in 95.

Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other type of female reproductive cancer.

The overall five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is 46% compared to over 89% for breast cancer.

Ovarian cancer survival rates have not improved as extensively as those of some other cancers that affect primarily women; for example, women diagnosed with breast cancer from 1975 to 1979 experienced a five-year survival rate of 75 percent and today this rate is 89%.

The risk of developing ovarian cancer increases with age and it is primarily diagnosed in post-menopausal women- about two-thirds of women diagnosed with the disease are 55 years or older.

The cause of the disease is unknown and it is often referred to as “the whispering disease” because the signs and symptoms are vague and often mimic other digestive and gastrointestinal disorders.

• Ovarian cancer at its early stage usually has no obvious symptoms or very subtle ones. Symptoms may include:

• persistent bloating or swelling
• pelvic or abdominal pain or pressure
• vague but persistent gastrointestinal upset such as indigestion, gas or nausea
• unexplained weight gain or loss, especially weight gain in the abdominal region without an increase in food intake
• feeling of fullness even after a light meal
• unexplained changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea)
• frequency and/or urgency of urination in absence of an infection
• back or leg pain
• pain during intercourse
• menstrual irregularities
• ongoing fatigue
• abnormal post-menopausal vaginal bleeding

O Happy Day

Lyrics to a song we sang in church yesterday made me think of Guen:

When I stand, in that place
Free at last, meeting face to face
I am Yours Jesus You are mine
Endless joy, perfect peace
Earthly pain finally will cease
Celebrate Jesus is alive
He's alive

How Am I Doing?

Thanks for the prayers everyone. I appreciate and need them so much.

You never really know how much you love someone until they are gone. Daily I am reminded of this. I keep finding what I call treasures; gifts and cards from her for all different occasions over the years. The daily crying has turned into moments of crying. There are times when I cannot believe what has happened, and other times it is crystal clear what has taken place. Daily obligations propel me into activity, but there are constant reminders. I can tell you that God has a plan and that she is in heaven. We should rejoice in that. I know it is true. On paper it all sounds wonderful. However there is the emotional side of it. The side that also knows that she will not be here for Thanksgiving dinner, for Christmas day, and for her daughters 2nd birthday. The pain can be very intense. I have forced myself not to dwell on it because nothing can change the situation. The days are easy...the moments are hard. I have to do laundry and meals, and take my son to swim lessons. All these things fill a day and the time passes on.

I have lots of support from wonderful family and friends, like you. People want to help so bad, but truthfully all anyone can do is pray. Pray that we don't succumb to the grief, that we can sleep through the night, and help support her husband and daughter.

Obituary

For anyone who did not get to see my sister's obituary (slightly edited):

In Loving Memory GUENEVERE TERESA MOLLOY 02/05/1973 -4/12/2009

Guenevere “Guen” Teresa, 36, of CA went home to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009 in CA. She is survived by her husband David, daughter Elizabeth (Libby) , parents, Joseph and Margaret, sister, Veronica, 2 brothers, Kenny and Stephen. Also many aunts, uncles, cousins and family members. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel, 1299 E. Highland Ave. San Bernardino, CA. Mass of the Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2009 at St. Adelaide Catholic Church, 27457 Baseline, Highland, CA with interment to follow at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, Colton, Ca.

Angel in the Sky

This is sweet Libby, who will be 2 years old on 9-09-09. The painting arrived in the mail a few days ago. It is from a long time friend, Dot, who knew Guen since she was 9. On the back it says "Angel in the Sky for Libby 2009-Remember Guen". The reason this is so special, is like Libby, her mom died when she was a very little girl. She wanted her to know that throughout her life, she felt that her mom was always there, watching over her-especially during the bad times. The angel is leading a choir of angels with one hand, and the other hand is holding a heart with an "L" for Libby. A special thank you to Dot! The thoughtfulness of others continue to touch us.

Do the Next Thing

I went to a conference years ago, and Elizabeth Elliot was the main speaker. When she was young, she told her mother about some huge drama over a boy. Her mom told her to start her chores. She replied "But mother I will just die!" to which her mother responded, "Then iron while you die dear, iron while you die!" When grief or any challenge strikes, just look around...what needs to be done? Do the next thing. She quoted this poem (author unknown):

From an old English parsonage down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the doors the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing

Looking for Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.

Three Month Anniversary

This weekend I attended my high school reunion. I had been looking forward to it since last year. I let my classmates from the Christian high school know about my sister via email and asked for their prayers when she was diagnosed with the cancer. When I arrived, they all had let me know how much they had prayed for and thought about Guen's plight. I talked to Natalie later in the evening. She lost her little daughter a couple of years ago due to an illness they did not know she had.

I really wanted to know what she had learned from it all. She spoke about having every foundation crumble. All things known about God were questioned and for the first time in her life she was angry with God. A grief support group via GriefShare.com and the book, "Heaven", by Randy Alcorn helped her a lot. She continued to cry daily and her husband got very busy. They eventually adopted a new 6 month baby girl. She struggles with knowing that God heals people everyday and knowing that He chose not to heal her daughter, Savannah.

While I talked with her, Sue was standing there with us. She had been a missionary to China for 13 years. After listening to everything we said, she told us about the suffering that she had witnessed on many levels and that the despair was, at times, overwhelming. Close friends are now in a Chinese jail being tortured for their Christian beliefs. The persecution is so great for believers there (the growing underground church) that she realized over time that these people would have a closeness to the Lord that she would probably never have. Many go through their entire lives with only expected challenges, like the death of an elderly parent. She reminded me about the "Fellowship of the Suffering" talked about in Philippians 3:10, and told Natalie and I, that we are a part of that. The night was wonderful and I had a great time, but talking to these women was really a divine appointment.

Three months have passed since Guen died on April 12th. That is a sentence I wish I never had to write.

What a View

Cool, crisp, air and sunshine. I love when you need a light sweater in July! We were facing the lighthouse. 

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

We stopped in Pescadero, on the way home. This picture is for my brother-in-law, Dave, who loves lighthouses! The 115-foot Pigeon Point Lighthouse, one of the tallest lighthouses in America, has been guiding mariners since 1872.  It is still an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation using a 24 inch Aero Beacon. 

A Lucky Find

Back from vacation...we went hiking in the Redwoods and happened upon many patches of shamrocks. I took this picture for Guen.