Wow what a weekend!!! Well, for those of you that are wondering how the new meds are going. Let me just say with mental health or any illness, there is lots of experimentation to see what is right for you and what works and what does not. As I had mentioned earlier my Cymbalta was upped in dosage due to my lack of energy and the trazodone was taken away and replaced with Ambien. I was supposed to take half of a pill. I did that on Friday night. I went to bed around 11 and woke up at about 3am. WHY! WHY! WHY! and that is exactly what my dog was thinking. He looks over at me like "come on, a pooch is tryin to sleep over here." You could tell that he was super irritated because I kept moving around, tossing, turning, talking out loud, and he was just like SHUT UP! LOL!!!! I couldn't help but laugh. I love my dog and he makes life so much more comical with his personality. Ok, so half a pill probably needed to go to a full pill. I was tired and really wanted to sleep and I tried for the next several hours but it was not easy. I had a ball game to prepare for!!!
I want to say that Saturday Night with the Riverbandits was awesome!! I had lots of energy, as you can imagine, and we got a really good response from the community with the table that we had set up for the MJL Foundation for Depression and Suicide Awareness. I was in full crown and sash and the energy was great. Nobody told me it was country night!! lol It was funny to see and hear the staff try to imitate country. The one kid on staff even stated that he had been watching movies like Varsity Blues to get his accent for the night. Heck, if he would have just hung out with me for a lil bit he would have been talking with a twang in no time. LOL! I think the highlight of the night was the miniature monkeys riding on the backs of the border collies. It does not get any better than that as far as entertainment. My first pitch, well... it was not so great. My crown is too big and when I went to throw I felt the crown get ready to fall and I had to catch the crown before I was worried about where that ball was going to go. The ball went all lopsided and it did not make it to the plate this time. (Can we just have a replay of my last throw? lol) We got quite a bit of donations from people wanting the stuffed puppies that we had and that was good. The more money we can give to Vera French for the School based services the better. I had my last share of junk food for a while. Chili cheese fries, a strawberry smoothie, and cotton candy. It was yummy. Gosh I hope these next few months go by fast!!! Time to buckle down and get in gear for nationals!!!
Now this brings us to bedtime. Time to gear up bright and early for the First Annual Charity Golf Scramble for the Family Enrichment Center. This time I took a full dose of Ambien before I went to sleep. Again, I sleep until 3am and then it was tossing, turning, and stretching the rest of the night and maybe some sleep here and there. I was up and adam at 7 am. THIS IS SO WRONG IN SO MANY WAYS!!! I have come to the conclusion that this medication is not working. I thought Ambien was supposed to help you get a full night's rest?
Anyway, I arrive for the golf scramble. Perfect weather. Everyone was so nice! I even got a compliementary massage which I needed so very badly. With the anxiety comes muscle tension and this massage helped out tremendously! Thank you Family Enrichment Center!!!! We had a nice turnout. We had 9 teams and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I got to take pics with each of the teams at the first hole and chat it up with board members. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. Later on Jay Kidwell from Channel 4 Sports shows up. A really nice guy! He did the 18th hole challenge with a golfer from each of the teams as they came in. When it was time to announce winners and raffles Kevin Kullums, the director gave more insight on what the money was going towards. They are in the process of building a building that will be for education and daycare services and afterschool programs so that the children in this at-risk community will have a safe place to go with a positive enviornment. It feels good knowing that I was a part of helping to raise money for that. They plan on breaking ground this fall. I just may be in attendance for that ceremony!
Next Kevin introduced me and I talked about how I got to the quad cities and how I have been trying to get out in the community to help promote my platforms. I feel better and better each time I tell my story. Jay Kidwell came over and congratulated me and gave me some words of encouragement about my work in the community and wished me the best for nationals. It really made my day that reputable people in the community are supporting me in the things that I do. He told me about a benefit dinner for NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Health) that will take place in October and said he was sure they would love to have me. I love how when I do appearances that they turn into bookings for more appearances!
Well Monica, get ready for busy, busy projects ahead!!! It just keeps getting better and it's all for a good cause! I love it! So thank you Kevin, Thank you Kathy, thank you Jay and all of the board of Family Enrichment Center for having me for your event. If there is ever anything else I can help with just let me know!!! It was an honor!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Isolation
"Isolation is your comfort zone but sometimes you have to move outside of your comfort zone to be happy too."
Someone gave me this advice today and I already knew this, but had not actually heard anyone say it or confirm with myself out loud. I thought about this after I had a talk with my mental health doc yesterday when she was asking me some questions and asked if I have isolated myself. I have to be honest, I have. It's what I do best. It's where I am comfortable because I can get away and go about life in "my world" with nobody to disturb me as I dig deep to figure out things.
Prime example of that quote.... I came here to the Quad Cities to get away and start new because I had been so engulfed in my depression. I knew the best thing for me was isolation whether it was to move or possibly be checked in somewhere. When I isolate myself, I don't have to worry about the who, what, where, when, why. If people want to be negative and not even try to understand, it is just better for me to remove myself from negative situations. People may think that isolation is a bad thing or that it would only make things worse. Sometimes it does, and sometimes it is for the better. For me, it got worse before it got better and I am happy now. Even the people that tried, and I say TRIED to break me when I was still pretty new here didn't. I went on about my business and do the things I already knew how to do best and I removed the negativity in my life. When you surround yourself with people who are full of drama, negativity, and always want to have their nose where it shouldn't belong and tend to want to gossip all the time, you do really breathe easier and your life is so much better. Don't take isolation as a sign of weakness, it is merely just a way of putting yourself in a positive light. In my world, I can sit back and watch and learn. I have learned a lot and have become even stronger.
When I come out into the world, I tend to make it a positive day every day. I enjoy getting out in my community and stepping outside of this "isolation" at times. It gives me a chance to show the world what I have been working on and where I am going with my positive perspective. When people see me out, they always make comments that it is good to see me out or it was nice talking to ya. I enjoy that. Tonight when I step out on the field and out in the community I want people to remember me as being a positive person out in the community that has no other motive than to make a difference without the drama and negativity surrounding it.
So yes, Isolation has become my comfort zone and I am happy there, but I am also truly happy when I share my knowledge and talents with the rest of the world when I come out. :)
Someone gave me this advice today and I already knew this, but had not actually heard anyone say it or confirm with myself out loud. I thought about this after I had a talk with my mental health doc yesterday when she was asking me some questions and asked if I have isolated myself. I have to be honest, I have. It's what I do best. It's where I am comfortable because I can get away and go about life in "my world" with nobody to disturb me as I dig deep to figure out things.
Prime example of that quote.... I came here to the Quad Cities to get away and start new because I had been so engulfed in my depression. I knew the best thing for me was isolation whether it was to move or possibly be checked in somewhere. When I isolate myself, I don't have to worry about the who, what, where, when, why. If people want to be negative and not even try to understand, it is just better for me to remove myself from negative situations. People may think that isolation is a bad thing or that it would only make things worse. Sometimes it does, and sometimes it is for the better. For me, it got worse before it got better and I am happy now. Even the people that tried, and I say TRIED to break me when I was still pretty new here didn't. I went on about my business and do the things I already knew how to do best and I removed the negativity in my life. When you surround yourself with people who are full of drama, negativity, and always want to have their nose where it shouldn't belong and tend to want to gossip all the time, you do really breathe easier and your life is so much better. Don't take isolation as a sign of weakness, it is merely just a way of putting yourself in a positive light. In my world, I can sit back and watch and learn. I have learned a lot and have become even stronger.
When I come out into the world, I tend to make it a positive day every day. I enjoy getting out in my community and stepping outside of this "isolation" at times. It gives me a chance to show the world what I have been working on and where I am going with my positive perspective. When people see me out, they always make comments that it is good to see me out or it was nice talking to ya. I enjoy that. Tonight when I step out on the field and out in the community I want people to remember me as being a positive person out in the community that has no other motive than to make a difference without the drama and negativity surrounding it.
So yes, Isolation has become my comfort zone and I am happy there, but I am also truly happy when I share my knowledge and talents with the rest of the world when I come out. :)
Friday, August 26, 2011
A New Direction
Today started off great with a new plan for my mental health future. I have been pushing the community to break the mental health stigma, to start talking about mental health, share their experiences, and to be aware of mental health around them. Sometimes I forget that while I am my platform, I must also take care of me too. One thing that I tell anyone, make sure you take care of you and that you are well.
Today was my first appointment with an ARNP at the Vera French Community Mental Health Center. Going in you feel welcome and I like that. I was a lil annoyed by a boy in the waiting area that just had to keep moving and talking and was just into everything and he was every bit of 9 or 10 years old! But I sat back and realized that there are many forms of mental health and he too was a patient. He just couldn't help it. I couldn't help but think I hope the best for him and his family and by the look on his dad's face and his tone towards him, you could tell that he was irritated himself.
The good thing about today was that I got to vent about what had been going on with my mental health in the past couple of years without having been under the physical care of a mental health professional. In order to be treated and cared for to get more results, you must be completely open and honest about your feelings, thoughts, moods, habits, etc. if you are to get the proper care and get the most out of mental health services you are paying for. You can't be helped if you are not open. I told my doc that I was not happy with the medications that I was on and I felt that I was tired and gaining weight with no motivation to do the most that I am capable of. Trazodone apparently has this effect on some and so we came up with a new course of action that I could feel good about. Cymbalta would be upped more and we would switch out the trazodone for Ambien.
Making a change in medications can make you nervous and excited at the same time. For me, I am nervous because I am thinking I don't need any mood swings, lol I am still a queen and I have stuff to accomplish!! You almost never know what is going to happen when meds are switched/changed. But since we are only going up 30 more miligrams I should be okay for the better in the transition stage. I am excited because I am thinking now maybe I will feel good and have that extra push to get some things done that I have been pushing off. Ambien will be new for me. It may sound silly, but I can't wait to see how I will feel when I wake up. I was getting a lot of groggyness with the trazodone and was sleeping much later than any "normal" person should.
What I was really thankful for and surprised about, was the fact that there was a 24-hour emergency number for a psych doctor on call. I did not have that before. I hope I never have to use that, but it least I know that I do have the option. There had been a few occasions, more than I would like to admit, especially when I first moved here, that I needed someone to call and didn't have the option. Now that I have been reassured that I would not run out of medication and there is always someone to reach I feel a calm that I have not felt before. One less thing to worry about. That being my mental health situation.
If you ever feel like you don't know where to turn or where to start and you live in the Quad Cities area, know that Vera French is an option. It is a community based service so there is no need to worry about inability to afford mental health services. Everything is confidential and there is always someone who can be reached. They see people for all types of mental health, including ADHD, depression, anxiety, and even more severe forms.
I come here knowing that this is a good place. I am happy that I am working with the MJL Foundation for this year's "Walk for Hope" which will help fund their school-based services in Scott County.
Today was my first appointment with an ARNP at the Vera French Community Mental Health Center. Going in you feel welcome and I like that. I was a lil annoyed by a boy in the waiting area that just had to keep moving and talking and was just into everything and he was every bit of 9 or 10 years old! But I sat back and realized that there are many forms of mental health and he too was a patient. He just couldn't help it. I couldn't help but think I hope the best for him and his family and by the look on his dad's face and his tone towards him, you could tell that he was irritated himself.
The good thing about today was that I got to vent about what had been going on with my mental health in the past couple of years without having been under the physical care of a mental health professional. In order to be treated and cared for to get more results, you must be completely open and honest about your feelings, thoughts, moods, habits, etc. if you are to get the proper care and get the most out of mental health services you are paying for. You can't be helped if you are not open. I told my doc that I was not happy with the medications that I was on and I felt that I was tired and gaining weight with no motivation to do the most that I am capable of. Trazodone apparently has this effect on some and so we came up with a new course of action that I could feel good about. Cymbalta would be upped more and we would switch out the trazodone for Ambien.
Making a change in medications can make you nervous and excited at the same time. For me, I am nervous because I am thinking I don't need any mood swings, lol I am still a queen and I have stuff to accomplish!! You almost never know what is going to happen when meds are switched/changed. But since we are only going up 30 more miligrams I should be okay for the better in the transition stage. I am excited because I am thinking now maybe I will feel good and have that extra push to get some things done that I have been pushing off. Ambien will be new for me. It may sound silly, but I can't wait to see how I will feel when I wake up. I was getting a lot of groggyness with the trazodone and was sleeping much later than any "normal" person should.
What I was really thankful for and surprised about, was the fact that there was a 24-hour emergency number for a psych doctor on call. I did not have that before. I hope I never have to use that, but it least I know that I do have the option. There had been a few occasions, more than I would like to admit, especially when I first moved here, that I needed someone to call and didn't have the option. Now that I have been reassured that I would not run out of medication and there is always someone to reach I feel a calm that I have not felt before. One less thing to worry about. That being my mental health situation.
If you ever feel like you don't know where to turn or where to start and you live in the Quad Cities area, know that Vera French is an option. It is a community based service so there is no need to worry about inability to afford mental health services. Everything is confidential and there is always someone who can be reached. They see people for all types of mental health, including ADHD, depression, anxiety, and even more severe forms.
I come here knowing that this is a good place. I am happy that I am working with the MJL Foundation for this year's "Walk for Hope" which will help fund their school-based services in Scott County.
Monday, August 15, 2011
A cure for Leukemia???
I couldn't believe it myself. No, there is not a definite cure for all forms of Leukemia, but it is definite hope for a start on curing the common one found in adults who are diagnosed. Too many times we say "one day there will be a cure" and I am going to be honest... I never thought that "one day" would ever come close or EVER happen. In fact, it hasn't really happened, but I do have a new hope. I am looking forward to the next updates in this developing study. I want this so bad for all those out there who are suffering from this disease, the families who are touched by loved ones with this disease, and the ones who have been diagnosed and have been told they have only a certain time period to live. I do wish deep down this would have happened sooner and the funds would have been there for more people to experience this study so that my daddy may have had a chance to receive this, but, it does not always happen like that. I heart is full of joy for this hope. This is the biggest breakthrough in this research in decades!
What is even more joyful to me is that the chapter for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society that I work with here in Iowa helps fund this Dr. Carl June. The money that I raise will go to this doctor which means that we are one of those steps in helping him to work diligently to research and study for this cure. I don't know about any one else out there who has been touched by someone with Leukemia or has it themselves, but I plan on contacting this doctor personally with a card to let him know that his work is tremendous and to keep on striving because the world is behind him! Sometimes no matter how great something is there is always a lot of stress and sometimes you just need a little word of encouragement to make it all worth while. Maybe my card will get lost, maybe it will go through the millions of other pieces of mail and not make it to his desk for personal reading, or just maybe... it will make his day and he will smile to know that someone out there is wishing him well on his journey and took time out of their day to do so.
So on behalf myself and all chapters across the U.S. for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Dr. June, we appreciate you and all of your work!!
If you have not had the chance to hear the news or read the article, please feel free to read from the link below...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44090512/ns/health-cancer/t/new-leukemia-treatment-exceeds-wildest-expectations/
What is even more joyful to me is that the chapter for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society that I work with here in Iowa helps fund this Dr. Carl June. The money that I raise will go to this doctor which means that we are one of those steps in helping him to work diligently to research and study for this cure. I don't know about any one else out there who has been touched by someone with Leukemia or has it themselves, but I plan on contacting this doctor personally with a card to let him know that his work is tremendous and to keep on striving because the world is behind him! Sometimes no matter how great something is there is always a lot of stress and sometimes you just need a little word of encouragement to make it all worth while. Maybe my card will get lost, maybe it will go through the millions of other pieces of mail and not make it to his desk for personal reading, or just maybe... it will make his day and he will smile to know that someone out there is wishing him well on his journey and took time out of their day to do so.
So on behalf myself and all chapters across the U.S. for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Dr. June, we appreciate you and all of your work!!
If you have not had the chance to hear the news or read the article, please feel free to read from the link below...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44090512/ns/health-cancer/t/new-leukemia-treatment-exceeds-wildest-expectations/
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Bucket List
At the beginning of this year I told myself that my life needed to be different. I had goals and things I wanted to do but never really worked towards them all. I really felt like I was just going through the motions in life and not really doing anything. Sure, I went to school, graduated, held a few titles, worked in the community through my platforms, had my dogs, a boyfriend, had a joh in my career, but I still felt like something was missing. For some people they think it is the point where they start a family and move on in life. For me, there is just so much I want to do before I start a family and settle down. I feel like I have not been too many places or experienced enough of the "good life" to be able to say okay, I am ready. I encourage anyone to sit down and think about the things they really want to experience and do in life. For me, life has just begun!! I am going to share a few of the items that I have on my bucket list.
1. Visit Augsburg, Germany.-My parents were in the military and this is where I was born. Many people have a sense of what it feels like to be able to visit or be in the place where they were born. I don't know what that feels like and I think it would be interesting to visit another country overseas. I don't want to go by myself though, I would love for me and my mom to go and visit together. She could be my tour guide and tell me stories about different places and things that happened while we were there or when she was in the military.
2. Win a national title- I have held a few state titles and have had the chance to compete for a national title on it least 3 occasions, but I want to actually be able to win a national title. My platforms right now are mental health awareness and Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness. I would very much like to use a national title to do more with these platforms to raise money and awareness and be able to travel the U.S. promoting these. Just once I want to know what it is like to be crowned on a national stage before a large audience. I have never wanted anything more I feel like. I just want to be heard and prove that out of any situation or lemons that life throws out you, that you can go on to do great things and for me the greatest thing would be a national title. (I plan to retire after the Ms. American Coed Pageant so I hope this is my year)
3. Go to an NFL game. I love to watch football. I am more of a college sports gal but I have already experienced being at a UK football game and there is nothing like the excitement of UK fans during season. So I would like to take it to a bigger scale and go to an NFL game. Not sure who I would like to see yet, as I don't have a specific team that is my number one. Maybe Cowboys or Steelers? Afterall, my mom's family is from PA. Or maybe a Packers game, they are pretty close to me right now, well not super close but close enough. We shall see
4. Go to L.A. and experience Hollywood Blvd. I have never been to California and I would very much like to sight see and maybe experience the night life in L.A. I always see Hollywood on T.V. and well, I just want to go there. Take pictures of some stars on the blvd. I do have some favorite actors and things I would like to take pics fo their stars. Maybe even meet a few celebs. Who knows!!
5. Go to Hawaii. It is so beautiful there! I want to see the islands, have pina coladas on the beach, and be leid as I get off the airplane. That would be awesome to be able to do a photoshoot there. I have never been to an island resort. Maybe one day when I get married I can go here for a honey moon spot. This is definitely a place I would like to experience.
6. Meet President Barak Obama. I don't know about you, but I was quite emotionally drawn to the television when I got to experience history of the first black president. His personality seems down to earth and he seems like a great person to meet. Meeting the first black president and taking a photo would be something I would love to do. A little piece of history for myself. Maybe he is not well liked or people don't think he is doing a good job in office but I love the fact that he has opened the eyes of many who thought it would never happen and given hope to those who think they can't.
Those are just a few things on my bucket list. There are many places I would like to visit and people I want to see. Maybe I will be able to blog one day about my experience of completing some of these items. What is on your bucket list???
1. Visit Augsburg, Germany.-My parents were in the military and this is where I was born. Many people have a sense of what it feels like to be able to visit or be in the place where they were born. I don't know what that feels like and I think it would be interesting to visit another country overseas. I don't want to go by myself though, I would love for me and my mom to go and visit together. She could be my tour guide and tell me stories about different places and things that happened while we were there or when she was in the military.
2. Win a national title- I have held a few state titles and have had the chance to compete for a national title on it least 3 occasions, but I want to actually be able to win a national title. My platforms right now are mental health awareness and Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness. I would very much like to use a national title to do more with these platforms to raise money and awareness and be able to travel the U.S. promoting these. Just once I want to know what it is like to be crowned on a national stage before a large audience. I have never wanted anything more I feel like. I just want to be heard and prove that out of any situation or lemons that life throws out you, that you can go on to do great things and for me the greatest thing would be a national title. (I plan to retire after the Ms. American Coed Pageant so I hope this is my year)
3. Go to an NFL game. I love to watch football. I am more of a college sports gal but I have already experienced being at a UK football game and there is nothing like the excitement of UK fans during season. So I would like to take it to a bigger scale and go to an NFL game. Not sure who I would like to see yet, as I don't have a specific team that is my number one. Maybe Cowboys or Steelers? Afterall, my mom's family is from PA. Or maybe a Packers game, they are pretty close to me right now, well not super close but close enough. We shall see
4. Go to L.A. and experience Hollywood Blvd. I have never been to California and I would very much like to sight see and maybe experience the night life in L.A. I always see Hollywood on T.V. and well, I just want to go there. Take pictures of some stars on the blvd. I do have some favorite actors and things I would like to take pics fo their stars. Maybe even meet a few celebs. Who knows!!
5. Go to Hawaii. It is so beautiful there! I want to see the islands, have pina coladas on the beach, and be leid as I get off the airplane. That would be awesome to be able to do a photoshoot there. I have never been to an island resort. Maybe one day when I get married I can go here for a honey moon spot. This is definitely a place I would like to experience.
6. Meet President Barak Obama. I don't know about you, but I was quite emotionally drawn to the television when I got to experience history of the first black president. His personality seems down to earth and he seems like a great person to meet. Meeting the first black president and taking a photo would be something I would love to do. A little piece of history for myself. Maybe he is not well liked or people don't think he is doing a good job in office but I love the fact that he has opened the eyes of many who thought it would never happen and given hope to those who think they can't.
Those are just a few things on my bucket list. There are many places I would like to visit and people I want to see. Maybe I will be able to blog one day about my experience of completing some of these items. What is on your bucket list???
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
My Sister's Keeper
Recently, I redisovered my love for reading. I had seen previews for this movie, "My Sister's Keeper" but always told myself I want to read the book and then see the movie. Everyone always says that the book/books are always better than the movie. The chances of me picking up the book though were slim to none, as anymore I don't consider myself a reader. However, a lady at work had this book and asked me if I would like to borrow it. I said yes, and really had good intentions on starting it right away, but it ended up sitting for a month. One day in July on one of those OH MY GOD hot days I chose to stay inside and started to read. I thought this book was just about a sister who was helping her sis out as a donor for bone marrow for leukemia. It was so much more than that. These parents actually had a child for the sole purpose of using her to donate whatever was needed whether it was blood or marrow for their daughter that was dying of leukemia. This girl sued her parents for the rights to her own body and she was only 13 or 14 at the time. It was very moving and very specific on what everyone in the family was going through during this difficult time, including the daughter who was the patient. It was very graphic in describing her sickness. I couldn't help but think about what my dad went through as a leukemia patient. Sick for months on the chemo, okay one minute, puking your guts the next, the pain...
This book put a lot of things into perspective. I had always wondered why I was never asked to be a donor for my dad, and I guess now I see why. Too young to be in and out of the hospital as he was and having to deal with the pain of donating marrow and being pricked all the time. I would have missed school a lot. But honestly, I would have done anything for him if it meant him getting better. He was my daddy regardless... Things worked out in that my Uncle Tim was a match. I was glad for that.
You are truly missing out if you only see the movie. I was highly disappointed. The only thing that remained the same was the fact there was a sister who had cancer. The movie and the book had two TOTALLY different endings. I won't ruin it if you have not read the book or seen the movie. I think this was a good read even to educate me more on my platform of Leukemia and Lymphoma awareness. I didn't get to witness all my dad's ups and downs of his treatment. Well, I didn't get to see his downs. Like I said, it put things in a whole new perspective for me in that it showed me the things I was not able to see, it only gave me more detail on some of the things that I had heard or that my dad had told me while he was sick. I have a new outlook on this disease in that I feel like this book educated me more on what I did not know. Leukemia is horrible and I hope I never have to experience it. I want even more for someone to find a cure for it has dismantled the lives of many of have had to live with it and be around their loved ones who have it, and like me, who have lost someone very close with this disease. You always live thinking that your parents will always be there and I was one of them. It just makes you appreciate them that much more knowing a disease can just take their life in an instant. I know that some of you out there know exactly what I mean.
For this reason, I am very strong about my platform and will continue to work with LLS to raise money to help find a cure and to help financially with the families who are unable to pay some of these very costly expenses associated with having a loved with one Leukemia or Lymphoma. Please feel free to donate for this cause for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. You can donate under my team page, Team Hubert Jr. at http://pages.lightthenight.org/ia/QuadCiti11/TeamHubertJr. Our team goal is $100 but if we can raise more that would be great! It feels good to do something in memory of my dad and helping others with this disease at the same time.
This book put a lot of things into perspective. I had always wondered why I was never asked to be a donor for my dad, and I guess now I see why. Too young to be in and out of the hospital as he was and having to deal with the pain of donating marrow and being pricked all the time. I would have missed school a lot. But honestly, I would have done anything for him if it meant him getting better. He was my daddy regardless... Things worked out in that my Uncle Tim was a match. I was glad for that.
You are truly missing out if you only see the movie. I was highly disappointed. The only thing that remained the same was the fact there was a sister who had cancer. The movie and the book had two TOTALLY different endings. I won't ruin it if you have not read the book or seen the movie. I think this was a good read even to educate me more on my platform of Leukemia and Lymphoma awareness. I didn't get to witness all my dad's ups and downs of his treatment. Well, I didn't get to see his downs. Like I said, it put things in a whole new perspective for me in that it showed me the things I was not able to see, it only gave me more detail on some of the things that I had heard or that my dad had told me while he was sick. I have a new outlook on this disease in that I feel like this book educated me more on what I did not know. Leukemia is horrible and I hope I never have to experience it. I want even more for someone to find a cure for it has dismantled the lives of many of have had to live with it and be around their loved ones who have it, and like me, who have lost someone very close with this disease. You always live thinking that your parents will always be there and I was one of them. It just makes you appreciate them that much more knowing a disease can just take their life in an instant. I know that some of you out there know exactly what I mean.
For this reason, I am very strong about my platform and will continue to work with LLS to raise money to help find a cure and to help financially with the families who are unable to pay some of these very costly expenses associated with having a loved with one Leukemia or Lymphoma. Please feel free to donate for this cause for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. You can donate under my team page, Team Hubert Jr. at http://pages.lightthenight.org/ia/QuadCiti11/TeamHubertJr. Our team goal is $100 but if we can raise more that would be great! It feels good to do something in memory of my dad and helping others with this disease at the same time.
Monday, August 8, 2011
A morning at Moline High School!!
Sometimes appearances are planned well in advance and some are just spur of the moment. This one was spur of the moment and planned, LOL I have awesome people that I work with everyday and I am truely blessed in that because of these people I have been able to do more in the community and make appearances with organizations and places that are dear to their heart that are outside of the law firm. One of the attorneys that I work for has a wife that is a school teacher and he had approached me in asking if I would be interested in coming and speaking to one of her classes. Well of COURSE!!! I love going into schools. Those are some of the best appearances. Whether they are elementary or high school, they all seem to love beauty queens or title holders as we are more formally called these days.
This appearance was different. Speaking to a group of inner city youth about what I do and encouraging them to go after their goals and dreams even when someone tells you that you can't do something. It was important to me to let them know that I did not come from a family who had a lot of money either and that I have had to work really hard to go after anything that I have wanted. Nothing has just been handed over to me. Even with the appointed titles you still have to work to uphold the title name and pay expenses to pay for nationals. I have also had a few unfortunately events happen in my life that I spoke of, winning my first title, losing my dad at a young age and having to plan a funeral all by myself, the depression, but I overcome those obstacles. I think they enjoyed my down-to-earthness. I even mentioned some of the things I like to do in my free time and that some of my favorite artists were Lil Wayne, Beyonce, and Alicia Keys. I feel like they paid attention and held on to my every word and I so appreciated that. It's not often that you can get a group of high school youth to pay attention for a speaker. I remember my days as a high schooler. Sometimes that early in the morning you almost rather just put your head down and go to sleep, lol
I really hope that I inspired them. I know too well at that age that sometimes our self-esteem isn't what it should be and I was discouraged at times by my family situation. I didn't always have the newest clothes or fashions and I really thought I was just going to work in a factory. Pageants helped me out so much. Paying for school here and there, my self-esteem, and being able to speak in front of large groups of people. I don't think I could have done anything without a lil push from my pageant family. I encouraged any of the girls in the class that if they wanted to do a pageant to please let me know and I would coach them at no charge. Sometimes you just need a lil push to boost your confidence and to know that you can do something or be somebody. I was once that shy, non-confident girl who didn't always know what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go. I am so glad that I am able to share my story with others to inspire them to change the same :)
Speaking of some inspiring things that I have been working on. I am still looking for people to join me in my Light the Night walk for Team Hubert Jr. in memory of my daddy who lost his battle with Leukemia. The walk will take place on October 14, 2011 at Modern Woodman Park. I still have the "Relentless" red wristbands for sale for $1 and have opened a cafepress store with things that have Team Hubert Jr. and other memory items for family and friends of his to help raise more money for my team. Our team goal is $100. Please visit the following links to purchase team shirts or to donate to LLS for the team:
http://www.cafepress.com/TeamHubertJr
http://pages.lightthenight.org/ia/QuadCiti11/TeamHubertJr
This appearance was different. Speaking to a group of inner city youth about what I do and encouraging them to go after their goals and dreams even when someone tells you that you can't do something. It was important to me to let them know that I did not come from a family who had a lot of money either and that I have had to work really hard to go after anything that I have wanted. Nothing has just been handed over to me. Even with the appointed titles you still have to work to uphold the title name and pay expenses to pay for nationals. I have also had a few unfortunately events happen in my life that I spoke of, winning my first title, losing my dad at a young age and having to plan a funeral all by myself, the depression, but I overcome those obstacles. I think they enjoyed my down-to-earthness. I even mentioned some of the things I like to do in my free time and that some of my favorite artists were Lil Wayne, Beyonce, and Alicia Keys. I feel like they paid attention and held on to my every word and I so appreciated that. It's not often that you can get a group of high school youth to pay attention for a speaker. I remember my days as a high schooler. Sometimes that early in the morning you almost rather just put your head down and go to sleep, lol
I really hope that I inspired them. I know too well at that age that sometimes our self-esteem isn't what it should be and I was discouraged at times by my family situation. I didn't always have the newest clothes or fashions and I really thought I was just going to work in a factory. Pageants helped me out so much. Paying for school here and there, my self-esteem, and being able to speak in front of large groups of people. I don't think I could have done anything without a lil push from my pageant family. I encouraged any of the girls in the class that if they wanted to do a pageant to please let me know and I would coach them at no charge. Sometimes you just need a lil push to boost your confidence and to know that you can do something or be somebody. I was once that shy, non-confident girl who didn't always know what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go. I am so glad that I am able to share my story with others to inspire them to change the same :)
Speaking of some inspiring things that I have been working on. I am still looking for people to join me in my Light the Night walk for Team Hubert Jr. in memory of my daddy who lost his battle with Leukemia. The walk will take place on October 14, 2011 at Modern Woodman Park. I still have the "Relentless" red wristbands for sale for $1 and have opened a cafepress store with things that have Team Hubert Jr. and other memory items for family and friends of his to help raise more money for my team. Our team goal is $100. Please visit the following links to purchase team shirts or to donate to LLS for the team:
http://www.cafepress.com/TeamHubertJr
http://pages.lightthenight.org/ia/QuadCiti11/TeamHubertJr
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