FAULT IN OUR STARS

I am perplexed by the popularity of The Fault in Our Stars Movie. Not because it is not a great book or movie but because it is so sad. Personally, I love a good love story but the thought of sitting at a movie theater watching a movie about people dying of cancer, just depresses the crap out of me! Sure, maybe it is because my own mother died of cancer and so many other people I have known as well, but it is baffling to me that young kids are flocking to the theaters to watch this. Yes, I hear it is a great love story, but when you have lived this disease with someone, it rocks you to the very core to sit and watch it on a big screen.

My own tween daughter was fascinated with the book and insisted I read it and even wanted me to see the movie with her. I had to explain to her that as much as I loved the offer I could not handle the heartbreak of re-living this kind of tragedy. Selfish of me, I know.

I wonder, what is it that draws young girls to this movie. Does the "hot guy"  (Ansel Elgort) and the love story just overpower the extreme sadness of the outcome? Is it just being naive to the reality of life. Really? I just could not handle paying good money to go cry.

I know eventually I will probably watch it on DVD or Netflix someday and cry my eyes out but for now, I am left bewildered at the tweens and teens in love with this movie.
 
I watch the trailer and I am very tempted to watch the movie.  Have you seen "The Fault In Our Stars?

PRAY FOR BEN SAUER

Pray for Ben Sauer: How You Can Help: 1. One of the most significant ways you can help is through prayer.   "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he w...

As I read this blog this morning, I sobbed uncontrollably. How is it that I can survive a brain tumor, relatively unharmed and this innocent little 4-year old boy must go through this pain and suffering.  These poor parents must endure the heartache of inevitably losing their son, one of their twins.

There are no words to express the heart ache I feel. As a brain tumor survivor, this story has broken my heart at how life is just so UNFAIR.  I am sure Ben was "borrowed" to his family to teach them about love and strength and courage.   I ache for Ben and his suffering, because right now he is suffering. And for his family and for the grief they feel.  It is unimaginable.

It is only through faith that we survive the greatest blows in life. I pray that God gives this family the strength to bear the unbearable.

May god bless you Ben Sauer and give you the peace and freedom you deserve.  You will soon be an angel watching down upon your family. God bless...

P.S.  I ask you, my "warrior" friends and readers to please pray for Ben & his family.

BE A WARRIOR!

So it has been two months since my craniotomy and I can honestly say I have come a long way both physically and emotionally!  I am about to celebrate my birthday at the end of this month and I am eternally gratefully to G-d, the Universe, whoever is in charge!  Even though I am not currently working, I am happy in having the time and health to have taken up my "mom duties" again!  Somehow, I had lapsed in this department.  Not only was I working full-time, an hour away, somehow, I had grown apathetic and aloof.  I don't know if I can blame it on my brain tumor but having survived one, I can definitely say, changed my life's perspective.

It is okay if I have to be in long car lines two times a day times two kids and it is okay if I have to go to the grocery store three times a week or pick up every shoe thrown around the house. I can appreciate those priceless moments, when my son tells me "Mommy, you are the best mom ever," when I know I am not.  I recognized that we don't have "forever."  I mean, I knew this as I experienced the death of my mom, many years ago but somehow, when you go through a life-altering experience, it hits home in a way that nothing else does.

I am also grateful to have found a group online of women (and some men)   https://www.facebook.com/groups/56743583446/  to ask questions when in doubt.  Things I wonder like, how long is my head going to feel numb?  And what others reactions were to steroids.  P.S. I can honestly say that coming off of steroids was one of the worst experiences!

All in all, I realized that I was extremely lucky in having had a Grade 1 tumor (benign.)     I remember standing in front of the mirror and seeing my head open (as my incision re-opened during a setback) and crying, not because of my scar, but because I imagined the heartache my mom and so many others went through having the knowledge that they would die. As a mother now, I understand the absolute grief of the thought of leaving your family behind. There are thousands of people each day who are faced with death, whether it be cancer or a tumor etc.. and I, well, I am the lucky one.  And so are you, if you are reading this.  You have another day in your life to make a difference, to fight, to be a warrior.  Take it!

WHAT ARE WE STRIVING FOR?

What are we all really striving for in life? Is it money? is it health? is it time? I've been wondering about this since times really suck right now for just about everyone - economically speaking of course. Sure, having money helps a whole lot to make life easier but at the end of the day, what is that we all really hope to accomplish?

The other day, I was talking to a neighbor about the economy and he starts bragging about what a great credit score he has on his record and I thought to myself -so what?! At the end of the day, who the hell is really going to care. Sure, you can go buy a house or a car or something material but I'mtalking about life here, people!

It makes you think when you get a phone call that someone you love has cancer or when you hear of a 17-year old killing himself, it makes you wonder, what the hell are we all strving for?

You and I both know that at the end of the day we can't take any of our material things with us. Not our cell phones, our homes, or our cars, so what should we strive for?

Personally, I think we should strive to be better people, better individuals. We should strive to make the world a better place, even if it's only a tiny grain of salt. We should strive to love one another, as cliche as that sounds, it's true. We are on this earth for a reason and it's certainly not to see who can manage to have the best credit score!

If everyone did just a little bit of good everyday, it would be such a bettter place.

Sure, bad things are going to happen but ultimately, I think that's what life is about. Learning to deal with the good and especially the bad, so we can become better people. It's learning to overcome the challenges we are faced with, so that we can grow, emotionally.

Remember:

"GURU" is spelled:

"Gee - You - Are - You"


P.S. I recommend reading any and all books written by Dr. Brian Weiss!

ALUMINUM ZIRCONIUM

For some reason I woke up this morning and the first thought in my head was: "what if it's the absorption of aluminum zirconium?" Just like that. That was the sentence in my head. Was it a message? or just me and my weird random thoughts? What if it's this that causes cancer and seeps through women's pores and kills their good cells off? I mean really, how good can it be for you when some deodorants stain right through your shirt and practically bleach the color of your clothing right off (ie: Secret)

Don't ask me why that question/thought popped in my head. It just did. I remember when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago, she stopped using over the counter deodorants and started using alternatives. For some reasons (a little too late, of course) she thought this was harmful. I'm sure the rest of the world knows this too already but I am going to do my Internet research and reading and get back to you on that with more 411.