On February 7, 2007 around 8 o'clock pm, after signing papers and driving home in my new car, my phone rang. It was my parents' number. I said "hello" in a joyous voice. Silence was on the other line.... then a gasp. It was my Dad and he couldn't speak. Immediately my heart sank, as I knew something was wrong. Then he handed the phone to my Mom. I kept saying "what's wrong?". My mom asked me where I was and if I was driving. At this point I REALLY knew that something was wrong. Things were racing thru my mind, is it Grandma Jennie? Is it Grandpa or Grandma Williams? Five devastating words came from my Mom's side of the phone, five words I will never forget.... "Teauna, I have lung cancer".. The most horrifying words a 26-year old daughter could hear. I had went from my highest high to the lowest low in a matter of seconds. I was so stunned. I asked my Mom questions, "When do you go to the Dr.?.... What time?.... Are they sure?...." Then I got off the phone and it hit me....LIKE A ROCK! I pulled off the side of the road, and I screamed! I Screamed as loud as I could for what seemed like hours!
The following morning, I met my parents and went to my Mom's first oncolgy appointment. After a couple months of weekly doctor visits and a huge list of different tests, my Mom was finally diagnosed. The diagnosis.... leomyosarcoma. The Doctors were as stunned as we were. This is a very rare form of cancer, affecting very few Sarcoma patients, this being the reason for the 2 month testing period before the diagnosis. Of course, Mom made the decision to get a second opinion from a doctor at a different hospital. This doctor, a woman I hope to NEVER meet, took all hope away, giving my Mom a maximum of 18 months to live... because "the only way to 'treat' this cancer is with a harsh chemotherapy drug that may just kill you before your cancer chooses to". Yes, I would love to slap the woman, giving me AND her a reason to NEVER meet!
Mom was treated by an amazing, AMAZING, & compassionate group of doctors. I am so grateful for them! The surgeries were tough, but she made it thru with her positive thoughts, her faith, & her loved ones by her side. The tests showed that her hormone therapy wasn't working as well as they hoped in December 2007, and on 13th, she started chemotherapy. Six gruelling months of that poison being sent thru her veins. She was tired & weak. She lost her beautiful hair. And yet, she never quit smiling! She never quit saying "I'm going to beat this!". The Chemo along with her hormone therapy has now put her cancer into remission. For many that have seen my Mom, they ask me "Are you sure she has cancer?" She looks amazing, still with her beautiful smile on her face.
The same week my Mom started chemotherapy, my Grandma Kay {Dad's Mom} was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to go thru radiation and a masectomy.
As Mom started feeling better and her and dad started getting back into their normal routine, they received another piece of news, to rock us all once again in April 2010. I was at an appointment and had missed a call from Mom. When I returned the call my Mom answered. I could tell she was upset. My Grandma {her Mom} had not been doing well so I assumed things weren't going well for her. But no....instead I heard, "Teauna, your Dad has cancer!" Oh My HELL! Really? Thru my Mom's whole battle she was so strong, and I could hear the fear and the sadness in her voice. I wanted to reach thru the phone and hug her and never let go. But instead, I went home, loaded my kids in the car, and drove.... away. My Dad wanted it to be kept quiet until his doctor was back... IN TWO WEEKS! I took the kids to Wyoming to see their Dad. I hid in the bedroom of his house there, and I sobbed. My dad was diagnosed with Prostate cancer. He had 2 surgeries in November & December of 2010 and is doing exceptionally well.
So now, I'm a 32-year old daughter of two strong-willed, faithful, & blessed CANCER SURVIVORS. I am so grateful for both of them and the unconditonal relationship that we have with each other.
 |
My Parents...
|
Since my Mom was diagnosed, we were introduced to the Relay for Life. What an amazing event to be put on for the many people who have been diagnosed, who have fought, who have won, & even those who have lost their battles with this horrific disease. My Mom has an amazing friend whom she used to work with that is always on a relay team and has kept my Mom informed of the dates, times & locations of the Relay the last 4 years. To learn more about the Relay for Life please go
here.
My Mom, along with many friends and fellow cancer survivors, have developed a team. They are the
Malad City Tumornators. Cute, huh? Well, when you have a team for the Relay for Life, part of the deal is raising money to help find the cure! Wow! Who doesn't want to see this happen? Certainly not me!
One of the fundraisers the "Tumornators" have come up with is a great little cookbook. This cookbook is compiled of many recipes of Cancer Survivors & loved ones of those who have fought the battle, some won, & some lost. The "Once Upon A Cure" cookbook is full of 70 pages of yummy tried and true recipes. I wanted to try one, so I chose to bake some SOFT SUGAR COOKIES. They are wonderful! AND SOFT!
If you live around Malad City, Idaho or want to go on a roadtrip for a great cause.... please join the Malad City Tumornators for their BIG fundraiser at the Greenbelt on Saturday, June 25th starting at 9 am.
Some of the events going on that day:
* Yardsale- A yard sale from donations from many... they're always accepting donations of stuff to sale! Remember.... your junk is someone else's treasure!
* Bake Sale- Yummy homemade breads, cakes, cookies, etc! and YES, I'll be baking for days prior to the sale!
* Mini Relay- A fun walk with prizes awarded. There is a $10 entry fee for adults. 12 and under walk for free! So bring out your family and join in on the fun!
* Cookbooks- Available for $10! Great recipes! If you are interested in purchasing a cookbook please shoot me an email at teawclark{at}gmail{dot}com.
* Luminaris- These are sacks that are provided by the American Cancer Society. You decorate the sack as you wish. When the team goes to walk the track on the night of the relay, all of the luminaris will be taken and lit at the track. These are $10.
* Chain of Hope- Remember when we were kids and we made those fun chains of paper for countdowns? {or was that just me?}... well the Tumornators have a goal. . . they are selling chains for $1. You can write a simple message on your chain, the name of a loved one, your name, a word of advice, a word of HOPE, etc. The links will be combined to form a chain. Our goal is to have a chain long enough to reach the entire length of one lap (1/4 mile) for the Survivor Lap! Please join us in reaching our goal!
Now... for the giveaway! As you can see, this is so near and dear to my heart, that I can't say it enough! I want all of you to have a chance at winning one of their AWESOME "Once Upon A Cure" Cookbooks. So, I bought an extra and now you just need to enter to win!
Here's how!
* You need to FOLLOW this blog! When you are a follower, or if you already are one, leave a comment letting me know you FOLLOW ME! (In the right column, simply click on the FOLLOW button and follow the directions)
* You need to LIKE From Cupboard to Cupboard on Facebook! When you are a 'liker', or if you already like me, please leave me a separate comment letting me know! (In the right column, there is a facebook LIKE button... click on it, and it'll take you where you need to go!)
* Share this giveaway on your blog, your facebook wall, your twitter... etc. Come back and share the link with me so I can see it! Share the love people!
So that gives you three chances to win!
Also, if you are interested in donating money or wanting to do any of the other fundraisers mentioned about, shoot me an email and I'll get you to the right person! Thanks so much :) remember every penny counts!
Phew...
Now for the recipe!
Soft Sugar Cookies
Recipe by Susan Bell
Once Upon A Cure
Adapted by From Cupboard to Cupboard
1 cup butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream (I used 1/2 c sour cream & 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
4 tsp baking powder
4 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat well. Add sour cream and vanilla. Sift together dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Roll on floured surface to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with large round cutter.{ I used flowers:)} Place on buttered cookie sheet (I used silpat) about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 14-17 minutes or until very lightly browned. Cookies should be large, soft and thick! Yields 2 1/2 dozen.
Happy Cooking!
Teauna
