Blast Off!!

(cross posted, and edited, from Coffee and Chemo)

We have come, the darkness to expel

Fire and light, in our hands

Each of us, a tiny light

Together, we shine, mighty bright

(from a Hebrew folk song; my translation)

(traditionally sung on Hanukkah)

Whether it is one's focus, or just another one of life's challenges, cancer is discussed on-line in many different forums.

For me, the blogosphere best suits my needs.

When I was part of a group blog, I felt I had a powerful, virtual support group.

So, I decided to start a group blog that focuses on mothers living with cancer (as a chronic condition).

My goal: to gather at least ten bloggers to be part of our initial team. 

It turned out to be a bit more challenging than I expected.  But with patience, and a bit of perseverance, a new group slowly, and surely, began forming. 

Our only requirement for joining the blog:  introduce yourself!

After that, the sky's the limit.

As soon as the tenth blogger joined our team, we were ready to launch!

We are quite an eclectic bunch! We are religious and secular, Christians and Jews, believers and non-believers, right wingers and left wingers, private and social, funny and serious. 

What do we have in common?

We are all young moms and we all have cancer that is not going to go away.

Oh, and one more thing:

We are all determined to live life to its fullest!!



Please daven (pray), or send happy, healing thoughts, for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA

Getting To Know- Jo

Hello, my name is Jolene (yes, after the songs) but I go by Jo usually and I am the almost 35 year old proud mama of three heathen kiddos. My oldest son is 18 1/2 and in college, my only girl is 15, and my youngest son is newly 7. My husband and I will have been together 10 years this coming May. Boy time goes fast!

As far as cancer goes, my oldest two children and I have a rare genetic disorder called MEN2a. Basically it causes a rare thyroid cancer (medullary), adrenal tumors/cancer called pheochromocytomas, and we're finding out a bunch of fun non-cancerous things as well.

I'm not able to get chemo or radiation for my cancer so all we can do is cut out things until we're just not able to anymore. It's a harsh reality but I always know it could be worse. I am considered incurable which is why I'm on this blog. Like RivkA and the others, I will be living with this until it either beats me (I refuse!) or they find a cure. My oldest son has also tested positive for the adrenal cancer so I will be posting about his new struggles as well. I look forward to getting to know everyone and helping others with MEN2a.

WELCOME!!

All women facing cancer are welcome to join this blog.

This blog will focus primarily on mothers who have advanced breast (or other) cancer.

As women, and mothers, who will be living with cancer for the rest of our lives (or until there is a cure), we form a unique community.

Living with cancer is always a challenge.

Raising kids, while living with cancer, is an even greater challenge.

Together, we can share our experiences, our concerns, and our support.

Together, we are strong.



Anyone interested in joining, should contact me at:
coffeeandchemo@gmail.com