Support and Inspiration in Memory of LTS

ADad · August 16, 2008, 10:02pm

LTS consistently said that the “Support for LTS” thread should be for all in need of support and inspiration, not just for LTS. I believe that many did in fact benefit from that thread. With the loss of LTS, those people may lose a source of support and inspiration.

With that in mind, I am wondering if a fitting memorial for LTS would be a thread for all who feel themselves in need of support and/or inspiration. I am envisioning a thread in which many would contribute from time to time, out of their own experience, mind and heart.

I would like to start with what LTS said was one of her favorite and most inspiring quotes:

–Japanese proverb

northeastmom · August 16, 2008, 10:08pm

ADad, What a great idea!

NYMomof2 · August 16, 2008, 10:16pm

This is a perfect memorial to LTS. And I am so glad you began the thread with that particular quotation. I find myself thinking of it often.

Northstarmom · August 16, 2008, 10:27pm

That is a wonderful idea!

churchmusicmom · August 16, 2008, 11:25pm

Fantastic idea, Adad.

swatparent · August 17, 2008, 12:16am

Fall seven times, stand up eight.
–Japanese proverb

That’s a great quote, and a great idea for a thread.

rivermom · August 17, 2008, 12:48am

Adad, this thread is perfect. I was getting ready to post on one of the other LTS threads, but this thread seems more appropriate.

I have been thinking for days about some of the many valuable insights and lessons that I have learned over the past months from lts . Among her many qualities are unbelievable courage, persistence, assertiveness, humor and determination.

I hope to honor lts by working toward developing even a fraction of her willingness to use her own voice effectively. I have been deeply inspired by lts’s voice and her passion and determination to make a difference. I am sure that she would deeply value any of us using our own voice to make changes for her causes, as well as whatever causes move each of us in our own lives. I have a number of important, special causes and I know that I will increase my commitment to speaking out for them.

In reference to lts’s voice…I created a number of little booklets over the past years, one of them being titled…”I Have a Voice and I Use It.” This booklet had 7 or 8 pages of different sky photos, with the phrase “I have a voice and I use it” repeated on each page. I created it to try to help myself be more courageous and proactive about using my own voice. Fits right in with lts’s philosophy, I believe. I will try to link one page to this post. The photo and the big caption on the page were actually the last page of the booklet.

So, modeling courage…I am attempting the seemingly, for me, unthinkable and unreachable…attempting to figure out what to say in this post (I have contributed only one post before), and then to figure out how in the world to attach a link to one of the booklet’s slightly revised pages… pdf??jpeg??? no idea what any of them are. (I am getting help from my h and d , who have also been inspired by lts )

The link may not work, or may not be allowed on CC. If I can’t get the page linked, just know that it is a really pretty sky photo page in tribute to lts and her commitment to using her own voice so effectively. I have a print out of page on my refrigerator to continue to inspire me.

Inspired by lts, I also signed up to start going to Toastmasters on Monday night…I figure that’s a good place to start. I figure that might be a good place to start with developing my own voice.

Here’s the [url=<a href=“http://farm4.static.■■■■■■■■■■/3165/2768598873_dc8a6068c6_o.jpg]page[/url”>http://farm4.static.■■■■■■■■■■/3165/2768598873_dc8a6068c6_o.jpg]page[/url</a>].

zipyourlips · August 17, 2008, 1:18am

Rivermom, you did it!! That is lovely – thank you.

Muffy333 · August 17, 2008, 7:39am

What a lovely idea! I hope you get it linked. I know from experience that such forums can be an excellent source of support for people who for whatever reason do not get or seek support IRL.

rivermom · August 17, 2008, 11:23am

The link is there, but this link may be more obvious…
Here’s the link [url=<a href=“http://farm4.static.■■■■■■■■■■/3165/2768598873_dc8a6068c6_o.jpg]voice[/url”>http://farm4.static.■■■■■■■■■■/3165/2768598873_dc8a6068c6_o.jpg]voice[/url</a>].

Lafalum84 · August 17, 2008, 12:46pm

For any newcomers who may be confused, LTS = LateToSchool, a long-time CC member who shared much valued advice and wisdom. She passed away in August 2008, after a valient 11 month battle with cancer. Many CC members joined a thread called “Support for LateToSchool” during her illness, and many inspirational stories and quotes were shared there.

timely · August 17, 2008, 5:42pm

The following is the introduction to an article by John Piper, entitled “Don’t Waste Your Cancer”. It is written from a Christian perspective. LTS definitely did not waste her cancer.

[Don?t</a> Waste Your Cancer](<a href=“http://www.crosswalk.com/1383847/page1/]Don?t”>Don’t Waste Your Cancer)

momof2inca · August 17, 2008, 10:00pm

Thanks, Adad. This is a good thread. LTS would approve whole heartedly.

jmmom · August 18, 2008, 10:32am

Thanks from me, as well, ADad. It would be hard for me to select one of the many quotes you posted, but that is certainly at the top. I like it for “people in need of inspiration and support.” But I also like it on a Parent Forum. I think it is a wonderful and simple maxim we can teach to our children about how we navigate through life.

Faline2 · August 18, 2008, 1:57pm

wonderful outlet ADad. As is the case when we miss someone, we need a new place to channel our thoughts after so many months of the habit of “checking in” on LTS…while we come to grips with her passing.

She had a marvelous voice and was so incredibly articulate. Rivermom…I like your use of LTS as a personal inspiration. bravo!
Honestly, the LTS threads were amazingly constructive considering the risks with the general public tied into them. I felt in good company among all of you and so many of you acquitted yourselves on those threads with humanity that warmed my heart. LTS both enjoyed using the threads for her own very personal and harrowing stories, as a place to gather courage from her many and varied CC friends when facing devastating risks and illness…and she clearly also relished knowing that the thread had multiple purposes and that it was meaningful for all of us at different and unique levels.

She was often “found” on other threads lending an ear or a word of advice even when ill. Her voice was indeed forthright and fulsome, entertaining and brave, and now I find I really miss her…checking in had become a habit.
ADad…this is a very lovely concept…thank you. This has true merit and its own future on CC.

applicantmum77 · August 21, 2008, 9:48pm

Love your idea and bumping this up.

epistrophy · August 22, 2008, 4:16pm

“Lung Cancer Survivor Trains For Triathlon”

A Missouri athlete who’s stared down a deadly diagnosis and fought back is now training for another fight. Just looking, you wouldn’t know the fight that raged in Kay Mason’s chest and the courage in her heart. Hearing Kay’s breathing on the bicycle is about the only clue you’ll get that she is battling back from lung cancer. Just under her shirt, she has a long scar to prove it.

“They spread the ribs open and then they took a part of one of them out,” said Mason.

Surgeons took part of Mason’s lung in January. Before that she had chemotherapy and radiation. She’s not done.

“You have two choices. You can either choose to live or choose to die in which way your brain starts thinking. I chose to live, so every step I took from there was a building block,” she said.

When you see her on the bike, you might think the battle is over or nearly complete, but she says doctors tell her she has just a five-to-15-percent chance of survival unless she makes it to five years cancer free. “In my mind, I’m giving myself 30 years. I’ve got a bucket list made for the next 30 years, so I can’t be leaving,” said Mason. On August 23rd she’ll bike, run and swim in the Republic Triathlon. She doesn’t promise she’ll come in first, she just promises she won’t quit until she crosses the finish line. "I’m hooked backed together but it worked. I’m here. Every day is a blessing," she said.

[WCSH6.com</a> | Portland, ME | Lung Cancer Survivor Trains For Triathlon](<a href=“404 Not Found | newscentermaine.com”>404 Not Found | newscentermaine.com)

astrophysicsmom · August 22, 2008, 5:26pm

The spirit lives on! I hope she wears red bike shoes!

question_quest · August 22, 2008, 8:13pm

[Support</a> the Bill of Rights | SeventyK.org](<a href=“seventyk.org - This website is for sale! - seventyk Resources and Information.”>http://www.seventyk.org/)

This org (70K is the number of young adults and adolescents diagnosed with cancer each year, sadly) deals with cancer issues affecting adolescents/young adults (defined here as ages 15-39)… Apparently, cancer survival rates for this age group haven’t improved for the past 20 years! :(

The site’s blog has many interesting, thought-provoking, and sometimes heart-breaking essays:
[url=<a href=“http://seventyk.■■■■■■■■■■/]SeventyK[/url”>http://seventyk.■■■■■■■■■■/]SeventyK[/url</a>]

epistrophy · August 23, 2008, 9:28pm

“Celebrating Cancer Survivors”

The American Cancer Society estimates that about one and a half million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year nationwide, but more than half of those diagnosed will survive. One local cancer center is celebrating the life of their patients.

Bands played and doctors danced to honor survivors at the Cancer Survivors Day Celebration.

“There is a very high incidence in this area particularly compared to the nation incidence, and yet the awareness of cancer is low,” says Dr. Kirti Jain, an oncologist with the Highland Cancer Center.

“We want people to know today that yes, you can survive cancer, that it’s not a death sentence anymore”, says Teresa Donovan, a breast cancer survivor.

The Highlands Cancer Center holds the event once a year, bringing together cancer survivors and their families, each touched by the same disease.

James Osborne, a 6 year cancer survivor, “I see some familiar faces in there, we all got something in common, you know. Once you get cancer you relay to it the rest of your life.”

James Osborne, like most survivors, says cancer is a life changing experience.

“It changes your life style, it changes your priorities, things that used to mean a lot to you don’t mean so much any more,” says Osborne.

“And I thank god for every day that I get now. And you think about appreciating life, you really do after you’ve went through cancer,” says lung cancer survivor, Lois Ousley.

“It’s a celebration of life and it’s treatable, and it’s beatable and we’re excited about that and to share the news with everybody,” says Teresa Donovan.

Dr. Jain says early detection is key. He says more than 90 percent of patients diagnosed early are curable. He says the survival rates are improving, more than 55 percent of people diagnosed with cancer will live and about 99 percent of skin cancer patients will survive.

[Celebrating</a> Cancer Survivors](<a href=“http://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews/headlines/27075119.html]Celebrating”>http://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews/headlines/27075119.html)

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“Lessons about life from my e-friend”

My friend Leroy Sievers died on Aug. 15 at age 53. I considered him a friend, but the truth is I never actually met him. I read his ‘‘My Cancer’’ blog on npr.com every day, and although I was never one of the many to post comments there, I read those, too, and considered the regulars to be my friends.

Leroy was a brave and distinguished journalist: He covered wars, went to dangerous places all over the globe and was the executive producer of Nightline. But while he clearly had some fun covering the wars and going to the dangerous places, there wasn’t much fun in the 2 ½-year struggle against the recurrence of his colon cancer that ended last week.

But he made me laugh. And cry. And feel grateful. And silly. His description of ‘‘cancer world,’’ his love of chocolate chip cookies, his commitment to Harry Potter, his debates about whether he would wear the new shoes and pants long enough to make their purchase worthwhile evidenced a level of openness, honesty and integrity that you don’t find in many places.

<hr>

Leroy was supposed to live six months. That’s what the doctors told him when the cancer that he thought was gone came back. The fact that he lived long enough to start the blog and keep it going 2 ½ years after the recurrence proved the doctors were wrong – at least about the timing. And if they could be wrong about the timing, why not also about the ending?

The cancer exploded, as it does, and the doctors ran out of possible treatments, as they do, and whether any of us wanted to face it or not, Leroy went home to die. But to the end, he wrote: about selling the Wrangler and giving up the secret wave; about the decision to bring in hospice; about the stuffed dog in his bed instead of the real one that he and Laurie never got because they traveled so much. To the end, he was very much there, present and alive, which made it all the more difficult to read the final posting.

Leroy taught me many things, some of them I already knew, or should have, but would forget if I didn’t check in with him every morning. He taught me to be grateful for what I have, to be brave in facing life’s challenges, to find humor in the horrors, to treasure the connections with people that make life rich. He showed me how much of a difference, in so many lives, one brave man could make. His love for his partner, Laurie, lit up his writing every day. I will miss this man of courage. Rest in peace, friend. You deserve it.

<a href=“http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/654336.htm[/url]”>http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/654336.htm</a>

<hr>

“Local landscaper donates time for Fargo man diagnosed with cancer”

Jeff Stangler of south Fargo had big landscaping plans this summer. Then came a grim lung cancer diagnosis. While Jeff has been too weak to work, a local landscaping crew heard the story and spent today making one man’s summer dream come true.

This is no ordinary gravel hauling-paver laying job. Mike Nicholson and his crew from custom landscaping donated a day of sweat and soul to help a man they never knew until now.

Homeowner Jeff Stangler came home from cancer treatment, Tuesday, to find his summer project underway. An incurable lung cancer diagnosis has zapped him of energy, and he so wanted to see his summer landscaping project get started.

Mike Nicholson grew up near this neighborhood and heard Jeffs story and knew, despite this busy time of year, it was perfect opportunity to do the right thing and help out.

Not just paving blocks but plants and trees brought in to give Marsha and Jeff Stangler some peace and beauty at a time in their life when there are few answers and some pretty miserable days.

Gives me a lot of strength inside, knowing that people you don’t even know would come over here and do this.

Late today, the last paver and plants went in. It sure felt like home to Jeff and these summer strangers who left their other jobsites to be here today, had to know they didn’t just dump dirt or plant a tree, they helped this admired man fill his bucket.

Jeff is deserving of this volunteer time. He has spent years being a job coach for those with living with disabilities.

[WDAY</a> - News Weather Sports for North Dakota and Minnesota](<a href=“News”>News)

<hr>

“Former teacher, principal fights cancer, inspires others”

Michele Tegland stood before Harlem school educators this morning, as much an inspirational speaker as a former teacher.

Tegland is also a former Loves Park Elementary School principal who has been hit hard by health problems during the past two years. Harlem Superintendent Julie Morris invited Tegland to speak about her experiences, and to offer advice and motivational tools to returning teachers on their first day back to the district.

Tegland left the Harlem School District about three years ago to work as a Midwest educational consultant for Houghton Mifflin Learning Technologies. She was on the phone with a client when she suffered her first stroke in September 2006.

She suffered another stroke within the week and was diagnosed with stage-three lung cancer the next month. On Aug. 30, 2007, Tegland was hit was another setback when doctors told her the cancer had spread to her brain.

Tegland still struggles with mobility and speech, but said sharing her experiences and encouraging others to arm themselves with something similar to her 5-F philosophy faith, freedom, family, friends and fun helps her through the tough times.

Educators, in particular, have great power to influence, model and share positive energy, Tegland said.

The relationships that we forge through the years, the connections that feed our souls are the foundation of life, Tegland said.

[Former</a> teacher, principal fights cancer, inspires others - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star](<a href=“http://www.rrstar.com/communities/x1543320885/Former-teacher-principal-fights-cancer-inspires-others]Former”>http://www.rrstar.com/communities/x1543320885/Former-teacher-principal-fights-cancer-inspires-others)

Support and Inspiration in Memory of LTS

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