Tag: disease

Active Awareness-Part I

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It’s easy to get lost in thoughts and activities. I try to be extremely aware. Attention is needed to gauge my energy and commitment levels. Self-awareness and selfless awareness. To show mercy, kindness, and love–to pause to remember Paul’s words in Colossians–and be aware of others.

How does that awareness impact actions?

Awareness, as defined in Merriam-Webster, is the quality or state of being aware. It is the knowledge and understanding that something is happening or exists. Observing. Perceiving.

Since my last post, my amazing Dad has been in the hospital after an unexpected heart surgery. My precious mom has hardly left his side. Sweet family and friends have stopped in, prayed, and texted. I’m aware of the consistently and constantly changing circumstances of life–and the blessings and miracles. Sometimes it’s difficult to digest all the awareness. My spiritual awareness (knowing my true self and identity in Christ) grounds me.

Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering.

Ezra Taft Benson

Today is NET Cancer Awareness Day. Before 2022, I was not aware of this cancer. My experience makes me more aware. Organizations, research, and new friends have grown my knowledge. I hope to bring awareness to help others. Although it’s rare, statistically, there should/could/might be others in our 417-land that have this and are…unaware.

I’m very aware.

NET Cancer Day is an annual event held on November 10th. It was created to increase awareness of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and provide a voice to the NET community for improved diagnostics, treatments, information, care, and research. The International Neuroendocrine Cancer Alliance (INCA) coordinates it and has celebrated it annually for over 10 years. (International Neuroendocrine Cancer Alliance, 2024)

Neuroendocrine cancer stands for a group of cancers that start in neuroendocrine cells and there are 2 main types:

  • Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs)
  • Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs)

People with neuroendocrine tumors are frequently misdiagnosed with more common conditions such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Menopause
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Asthma
  • Diabetes

(Symptoms of neuroendocrine tumors vary depending on where the tumor is located)

Common persistent symptoms could be:

  • Flushing of the skin and face
  • Digestive problems
  • Abdominal pain 
  • Diarrhea
  • Shortness of breath, cough, chest pain
  • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
  • Heavy sweating for no known reason
  • Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)

​

Seven Facts About NET (LACNETS, 2024)

  • NET is a rare cancer. In the United States, 7 in 100,000 people are diagnosed per year. 
  • ​NET can affect neuroendocrine cells throughout the body.
  • ​NET is a difficult cancer to diagnose.
  • ​Some (but not all) NET patients have symptoms from their cancer.
  • ​The cause of NET is unknown.
  • ​Seeking the opinion of a NET specialist is important for all NET patients.

Friends, if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms please seek out professional help! For years I experienced a “missed diagnosis” (NOT misdiagnosed). Please stay aware and seek out medical advice. Don’t give up on seeking and finding the right help! If you have symptoms like mine, feel free to reach out to me.

There’s a good chance I understand what you’re feeling. Even if I don’t, I’ll do my best to make you feel significant. Because you are.

️God, help me be aware of others. Break my heart for what breaks yours. May awareness advance advocacy and accelerate our appreciation. Let’s create a plan for abundant appreciation!

Have faith. You are loved. ❣

Tomorrow, I’ll share Part II of Active Awareness in our celebration of Veteran’s Day? I’m aware of the time it takes to read and support my blog. I love and cherish you all. THANK YOU!

Sources:

International Neuroendocrine Cancer Alliance. (2024, November 10). INCA. Retrieved from incalliance.org: https://incalliance.org/ncd-2024/campaign-toolkit-2024/

LACNETS. (2024, November 10). Lacnets.org. Retrieved from Resources: https://www.lacnets.org/resources

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Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air

K.L. Hale

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A Night to Shine, Part 1

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It’s Thursday, my favorite day! IT’S MY PLEASURE to spend time with such giving and loving people. So many lives are impacted by the love and care of just a few. These young adults with developmental and physical disabilities will come through the door expecting to FEEL love and care. They’ll get every bit of it and more. Today the excitement will be felt. In about 36 hours they’re going to have a “Night to Shine!”

The red carpet will be rolled out. Lanterns and lights will decorate a dance area. Crowns and tiaras will be worn. Delicious food will be served. Camera lights will flash. And the smiles will light up the room even more. This is their night to shine!

Friends, I’m not sure if you’ve heard of “Night to Shine”, but I personally want to thank CHANCES of Stone County and the Stone County Disability Board for their offerings in our area. Thank you to the Tim Tebow Foundation for making a difference in SO MANY LIVES. Thank you Tim Tebow for being such a role model for us all! Part 2 will come this weekend–excitedly, I will post pics and reactions to this wonderful occasion. https://www.timtebowfoundation.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAjJOQBhCkARIsAEKMtO1NQTLo6ASCidl7U8BSDlg-H_ItppOcQ_aasgBdtoBJG9EhuwhD4jQaAqdtEALw_wcB

Thankful Thursday–my journal notes, 2/10/22

No matter what, I’m thankful. There’s an expression we all hear, “Someone has it worse than you.” We might all agree that it’s best to not SAY this to someone while he or she is struggling with each step-each person has their own pain threshold. While it’s good to be an ear, to be a comfort, to be understanding…to just LISTEN, I do tell myself how fortunate I am. We all have pain. We all have suffering. Recently a friend shared that her two youngest children have a LIFE-LIMITING disease. For the next 5-10 years they will progressively lose neurological and muscular functioning; dementia by possibly teens and early 20’s. THIS IS A RARE disease. Her teenage daughter will witness the decline. BUT FOR GOD! Selfishly, I want to break boundaries with my own family by desperately reaching out to the young ones in my family. Stop, Karla. Don’t live in fear. Where’s your faith? So I sit. I pray. And yes, I do tell myself, “everyone is battling something.” While some are setting up tripods to create a reel, some are sitting in their wheelchairs. While some are shopping for the latest trend, others are praying for food on their table. While some are protecting their boundaries, others are wishing someone would call just to say, “I love you.” I wish we could put down our cell phones and knock on a neighbor’s door. I wish we could quit living in fear and start living. I wish we would stop judging. Some may laugh that I watch “The Walton’s” or “Little House on the Prairie” and dream of the days where folks depended on one another. Yes, times were hard. Yes, they suffered. But for certainty, they didn’t walk around with their noses buried in small devices. My life is a balancing act. I’ve been accused of being a “fixer” and at times, admittedly, I’ve called myself that. I’m not that. And no longer will I even say that. I don’t want to “fix” people. I want to love people–WHERE THEY ARE. Because of the love that God has for me, I show that to others. I’m thankful I don’t live just at the summit. I’m thankful I don’t have to live only in the valleys. AND TODAY, I’m thankful for every little thing I have and what I’m about to witness!

Have faith…you are loved. 🤍 if you need prayer, a friend, a laugh, or just to talk, you can reach me @finleyriverpublishing@gmail.com

Thank you Judy, Luann, Gary, and Nicky for your never-ending dedication!