As we walk through this life we, unfortunately, will come into contact with cancer, be it through our own experiences or through a loved one, family or friend. While this in itself is a hurdle to overcome we can build on this, gain strength and support from others and maybe along the way.
The community of treasuries within Etsy is quite amazing .. as a treasury hunter myself I have had great fortune to meet and make friends with incredible people the world over. Here we all are, creating these collections, hoping to give the coveted front page prize to others, going through and clickety clacking, commenting on each others treasuries and unbeknowing to many .. creating real friendships along the way.
Laura Slocum aka lauraslocumpainted (one of her 3 shops on etsy) whom I 'know' through these treasuries on Etsy is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment in her dealings with stage 3 ovarian cancer. I have seen the support and caring she has and is receiving through her close personal friends within our Etsy community. Kim aka slinkymalinkicat and Amy aka ThePeachTree have organised an amazing project called Etsyprojectembrace .. to create awareness and to raise money in the research of cancer.
This is a message that laura wrote regarding her experience:
I believe that you must play the hand you’re dealt. Six weeks ago, I was diagnosed with stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. My mom died from the same. I am a huge believer in eating right, exercising, and getting regular checkups. I’ve done all those things, yet, I have cancer. WOW. That’s a life-changing situation, for sure. I just turned 46 …. (a very very young 46!) Strangely, I feel blessed. Most everyday of these 6 weeks, I’ve had a smile on my face. I’m going to play the hand I’ve been dealt in the best and most positive way I know how. I’m so fortunate my boys are older, they drive, they can do laundry and help around the house. There will always be some people in this world who have it better and some who have it worse. That’s just life.I’ve been an Etsy addict since around this time last year, when I started doing treasuries. My sister Jenn, of jennreese7 and my niece Kelly, of SweetnessJewelry, are also crazy about Etsy. The one thing I’ve learned in the past year is that Etsy has made it a point to have their competing sellers be friends through promoting each other in the treasuries. That sounds kind of funny, but, on the quest to have the “coveted” FP, we create treasuries, we comment on other treasuries, we “convo” people all over the world to congratulate them on their successes, and we make friends. Aren’t we supposed to be competing for sales?? Well, maybe some things are just more important than sales. From the moment I had a diagnosis, while still in the hospital, my Etsy friends were first on the scene – building treasuries just for me, wishing me well, offering advice, sending gifts, and a few have gone so far as to donate proceeds to the American Cancer Society in myhonor!! Just to remind you………these are people ....I’VE NEVER MET! They have completely gone out of their way to be a friend or try to put a smile on my face. I now even talk to some of them on the phone! Now, I’m not talking 2 or 3 friends, I’m talking like 30 or 40! Some people just have checked my profile and offer words of encouragement! The first day that we learned about my chemo and all the ‘ins and outs’, the ‘goods and bads’, etc., my husband went online to search for support groups. He said to me that night, “I will never do that again, I was so depressed that I had to get off the computer” I said, in reply, “I don’t need support groups, I all need are my friends on Etsy”! They lift me up on a daily basis.
It is Sunday. Tomorrow morning, I will leave my house at 7:30 am for my first round of chemo. I will have an IV drip for about 6 hours and be home around 5:00 pm. I will do that again on Tuesday, then again on Wednesday. then again on the following Monday. I look forward to 8 months of that chemo schedule, followed by another year of some form of maintenance chemo.
There are 4 things I know for sure:
1. I am a Christian and I believe God has a plan for me.
2. I believe in myself to do the very best I can do and try to help others in the process by getting my story out there.
3. I have the most wonderful and supportive husband, family and friends.
4. Logging onto Etsy everyday and hearing from my friends will keep this smile on my face, not matter what I am going through.
You can help and give support as well. If you would like to take part in helping to raise the awareness and money for research of cancer contact slinkymalinkicat or ThePeachTree for further information OR do a search on the word etsyprojectembrace on Etsy and buy one of the amazing creations that is taking part in this project. Proceeds of these sales are being donated to American Cancer Society
Life is short and life is precious .. I love to make each day count.
As I get any further links I will be adding them to this post. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
10 comments:
Just to reiterate .. Laura Slocum is the brave woman currently undergoing treatment, not me .. she is truly warmed by all support and encouragement, in any way :)
thanks, Kerrin xxx
Kerrin ~ I'm sending warm and healing thoughts to Laura. xoxo
Thanks Kerrin for this lovely post and for coming to my blog to comment.
I am so grateful to Kim & Amy for dreaming up this project! I was sitting here feeling helpless and now I feel empowered! We all need to feel like we can beat cancer, as it affects most people either directly or indirectly these days. I know from talking to Amy that she has struggled with cancer too and that gives her the vision to help others who are struggling, like Laura.
I don't have much to offer but my art and my love. But, I believe we can all help Laura stay focused on the positive things in her life and help give her strength to fight this battle and win.
I know you and I will continue to become better friends over time and this event is helping me to realize how compassionate you are. I am happy to know you, Kerrin.
I got confused . . . I was talking about Amy Singley above, not Amy of Peach Tree. Both women are awesome and both contributing to etsyprojectemmbrace! But, I just realized that it was Amy of Peach Tree who helped organize this effort. Sorry- I'm overwhelmed :)
kerrin-- what a wonderful group of women are joining together in this effort of support, love and focus on sending strength to bolster laura's determination and courage. it seems that the numbers of people joining together are growing-- a testament to the fabulous community of etsy people- and laura in particular. we are all fortunate to have found one another.
and yes--hats off and many thanks to kim and amy for organizing this effort--
Kerrin- glad to find your blog!!!!
I am so touched by Laura, and her brave, positive approach to life! I also feel so very blessed to have found the wonderful group of treasury makers on Etsy like you, who always brighten my day with beautiful images and words.
You are all little rays of sunshine.
What a wonderful and heartwarming post! I wish Laura much strength and send her healing vibes!
Laura, we are with you, though invisible we may be, we are with you on this journey, and with much love!
Hi Kerrin!!!!!
I'm so happy I just found this! I think you are wonderful and everybody participating in etsyprojectembrace is wonderful and all who convo me on daily/weekly basis plus all the cool treasurys! I'm just speechless! This is such a worthwhile cause, not only for me, but the countless others afflicted~ plus it really pulls friends together, old and new friends - like you are my new friend and I SO appreciate that!! Really thrilled to find your blog today - i'm not so good at the blogging thing :) laura... xxoo to you and everybody helping!
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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