Beautiful Hand Sewn Head Scarves for Cancer Patients

There is not much else in life that tests a woman's strength as finding out that she has cancer. Chemotherapy will make her sick and rob her of her appearance, at least the one she has always recognized in the mirror.

Breast Cancer is common, more common than one would think. Millions of women are taking advantage of early screening with mammograms and doing monthly breast exams. We are more aware than ever that we should be vigilant about these things to preserve our health. Luckily, this has allowed many women to discover the problem and for their doctors to diagnose it early. More women than ever survive a bout with cancer and go on to thrive.

If you've received a cancer diagnosis and learned that you must go through Chemotherapy, one of the most obvious side effects will be the loss of your hair. Some women are devastated by this while others take it in stride. Through this you are given the opportunity to learn about how deeply you identify yourself with your outward appearance. I would venture to say that most of us are taught from an early age that we should look our best in order to be socially acceptable.

Whatever your decision about hair loss may be, wigs, head coverings, or simply bald - hold your head up high. You will be filled with inner strength that possibly only another cancer survivor will understand but it will radiate from your face and being. Everyone will know that you are one tough cookie, a woman of substance, someone to be reckoned with...and also a person of great compassion because you bear the marks of having been there yourself and explored the depths of your soul. You have much to give back.

There are companies who understand this challenge. One such is Always Beautiful - Siempre Bella. They hand sew each head scarf to flatter the woman's face. They choose beautiful fabrics in a variety textures, colors and styles. Gretchen and her associates saw a need and filled it, helping to make the chemotherapy and hair loss experience a little easier by helping you like what you see when you look in the mirror. The scarves are affordable and reversible so you get two for the price of one.

This is a small way to make chemotherapy more bearable. If you are in need, please contact the wonderful website and try their product. Best wishes and hugs to anyone going through this experience. My heart is with you.

Lyrics For Life - Music With A Mission

Sister Hazel is one of my favorite bands. I had the pleasure of seeing them in concert for the first time a few weeks ago. We had general admission tickets so Todd and I arrived early. There was a small table set up at the club entrance with a sign that read "Lyrics For Life" and a framed poster of Sister Hazel's concert dates.

"You can win that," A lady who was standing next to the table said. "The raffle money goes to Lyrics For Life."

"What's that?" I asked.

"A charity that helps kids with cancer. It was started by Ken." I must have wrinkled my brow because she added, "You know, the lead singer of Sister Hazel. His brother died of cancer when he was young. It's his way of helping out."

I bought a ticket and knew I had to know more about this person, the owner of the voice I so admired, and the cause he championed. After the concert, the band members signed autographs and when it was my turn, I told Ken Block I wanted to write about Lyrics For Life. He was very kind when I asked if I could send him a few interview questions.

Lyrics For Life was founded in honor of Block's brother, Jeffery, who passed away at the age of 18 after a four year battle with T-Cell lymphoma. He was an inspiration to Ken. From the L4L brochure he remembers...

I was in the room the day the doctor told my brave, battered brother, "There is nothing else we can do." And my brother looked up, tears slowly welling up in his eyes and said, "Well, thank you for giving me four years I never would have had without you." He's still my hero. I miss him today and every day.

Ken makes it easy for the music community to make a difference in a cancer victim's life. There is an annual benefit coming up on October 18th in Clearwater, Florida. Artists donate items for auction, most often framed, handwritten lyrics for one of their songs. Through out the year, Lyrics for Life hosts concerts and events and so far has raised almost a million dollars for childhood cancer research and organizations that support the families and the kids.

During my research I found a video of Ken performing with Edwin McCain at a Lyrics for Life event. Other artists that have participated in the cause are John Mayer, Matchbox Twenty, and Elton John....there are many more on the list of supporters.

I decided not to bother Ken with my questions since the group is on tour. I'd like to thank him for a great concert and his tireless efforts to make this world a softer place for people and their families who've been touched by cancer.

If you would like to help out, the L4L website takes donations and has merchandise for sale.

Update on Randy Pausch

Being faced with death brings out a person's true self, be it their best or their worst self, the strongest one comes screaming to the front of the line. I sincerely hope that I learn from Randy Pausch's example.

He doesn't think he's extraordinary or special or heroic. He's just living life to the fullest for as long as it lasts and teaching his students at Carnegie Mellon University a few things along the way. But, unlike me, he has an approximate date, a fixed point in time when all the fun will end. Randy is dieing with pancreatic cancer.

When he found out he was terminally ill he gave his last lecture to his students, one designed to teach the most important lesson we can learn - how to truly live before we die. A short version of this lesson is the basis for my 2/24/08 post. Please watch it. It is powerful.

Today I found a Randy's update site where he keeps his students apprised of his health and progress. Six months after his lecture he's had positive results from chemotherapy that will buy him more time. He's written a book with Jeff Zaslow to be published in April. And he's testified before congress about pancreatic cancer.

I'm so glad I found out about this man and will never forget what he said in his lecture about brick walls. They are not there to stop me. They are there for me to find a way around them and to prove my determination and worthiness to reach my goal, not to stop me.