Thursday, February 02, 2006

John Scalzi's Photo Shoot and a Reminder



Your Monday Shoot:
Things You Have Other People Probably Don'tGot something weird around the house that you figure is unique to your personal environment? Perfect. Get the camera:Your Monday Photo Shoot: Take a snap of something in the house you're pretty sure other people aren't likely to have in their house. Pets and people are not included (we're pretty sure your pets and kids aren't in most other people's houses). For this photo shoot we're looking at things -- strange objects, curios, odd keepsakes and just generally weird stuff.

I have a very unique faux fireplace and mantle we built for our hunting lodge/office. It's a mural.
http://journals.aol.com/johnmscalzi/bytheway/entries/5442

REMINDER! Tonight is the ER episode about ALS at 9pm west coast time on NBC.

http://www.nbc.com/ER/

http://rebekahspage.blogspot.com/ This is a public "diary" of a family whose 3 year old is fighting inoperable cancer. You will get into their hearts, minds and souls as they share their joys and sorrows. It can sometimes be very difficult to read. Hopefully it can also be very rewarding and uplifting to you and others. It is their goal that others may find some peace in what they read here.

This was an entry by Rebekah's mommy. 10% of ALS patient's inherit the disease!
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Saturday, July 23, 2005

Cancer, ALS and a Lot of Emotions
I wrote this about a month ago, but didn't post it right away. I guess now is as good a time as any to post it. By the way, I was able to get to see my aunt this week. I took Sarah with me while Grandma M watched Rebekah.I'll warn you up front that this post may make you cry. It is tough for me (Frances) to write, but it is on my heart. Read on at your own risk.The last time we were in the hospital for chemo, I went out to the nurses station to ask a non-urgent question. There was a nurse there (from a different area) that was chatting with a couple of nurses on the floor. She was talking about someone she knew (I assume a good friend or relative) who was recently diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). This individual had said that he wished he'd been diagnosed with a brain tumor instead, because at least with a brain tumor there is treatment and the hope for cure. With ALS, there is no cure. This hit WAY TOO CLOSE to home for me. Cancer, with the possibility of treatment and cure, is much better than ALS, with no cure and only the ability to treat symptoms. This story brought tears to my eyes and many thoughts to my heart. We should be thankful for a cancer diagnosis with possibility for cure. Those of you who know me (and my family) very well, know that ALS runs in my family. My dad died of it 6 years ago, my grandfather died of it, my great grandfather died of it and many other family members have died from it. Because of that, I have a 50% chance of getting it some day, if I live long enough. It can hit anywhere between age 30 and age 70. What you may not know, is that in May of this year my aunt was diagnosed with it, too. As if I (and my family) didn't have enough to deal with emotionally in Rebekah's cancer, this is one more burden for us to bear. She, likely, doesn't have too many months to live. I struggle with wanting to spend some time with my aunt, but not wanting to spend time away from my girls to do it (and can't really take Rebekah with me). It is one more big stressor in my life. In many ways, I have to push it out of my mind in order to just cope.Tonight, I was watching an episode of Doc where a young dad was diagnosed with ALS. It just brings so many thoughts to my mind. Thoughts of my dad. Thoughts of my aunt. Thoughts of Rebekah's illness. Thoughts of the possibility of getting ALS myself and what that would mean to my family. Thoughts on the statement "I wish it was a brain tumor".It reminds me that there are many people in the world in worse situations than I am in. Although my world seems like a wreck and so overturned and everything is overwhelming, I need to be reminded that we have hope. Our God is the ultimate Healer. He can do all things. He can bring Rebekah back to wholeness. Even if we wanted to only look at earthly wisdom, the doctors are hopeful that treatment will be successful.

11 comments:

V said...

I`m so sorry.
V

emmapeelDallas said...

That's a beautiful fireplace, and thank you for posting the touching entry from Rebekah's Dad. My thoughts and prayers go out to them.

Judi

Tammy Brierly said...

The fireplace is actually a mural!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Tammy for including Rebekah's Page in your post. Just so you know, the post you copied was by me. We both post and sometimes it is difficult to know which of us wrote a specific post.

I'm not sure if I can emotionally watch ER tonight, but we'll see. Sometimes, when it hits too close to home, it is difficult. I suspect that you can understand that. My emotions are so raw these days, anyway.

Chris said...

I have my tissues ready tonight!

Chris
My Most Recent Entry 2/02/06
My Blog

Christina K Brown said...

I am watching just for you...but it is breaking my heart.

Bon & Mal Mott said...

That's a marvelous mural and a heartrending post. There is too much illness in the world, more, it sometimes seems, than we can handle.It is meant, we hope and pray, to teach us strength.
Bon & Mal

odie said...

I watched ER and am interested in your take on it. Do you feel it was an accurate portrayal of the challenges faced by a person with ALS?

On a lighter note, love the "fireplace". How did you come up with an idea like that? I am decoratively challenged. Seems like it's all or nothing for me. (once I get started, I don't seem to know when to stop).

Until I get a new computer and learn something about how to do it, no picture posting for me. Hoping to get the computer in the next couple of months, AFTER we get the house done. (How's that for optimism?)

Odie

betty said...

Interesting picture you posted.

That is so sad about Rebekah and her family, but awesome with their faith.

betty

V said...

Love & prayers.
V

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