Ferguson Files

Fall is happening here in Roanoke and it is beautiful. The mornings are pitch black when we send the kids out to the corner to wait for the bus. There is a crispness to the air and the leaves are turning their lovely fall colors. I have just reached the half way point of my semester at Virginia Western and the kids quarterly report cards will be coming home shortly. We are in a good groove and continue to grow closer as a family. We have our ups and downs like any family, but the ups are sweet and the bonds are growing.

As you are all aware by the exaggerated pink everywhere you turn in October, it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a breast cancer survivor and a friend to many others who faced other cancers this is a very HARD month. It is a constant reminder of what a difficult journey we have been on. It almost seems trendy to have pink during the month of October. However, nothing about cancer or the horrifying treatment of cancer is trendy. To raise awareness for cancer why don't we educate people about early detection and mammograms rather than hanging pink ribbons from the ceiling. And for those people who were not so 'lucky' to be diagnosed with the 'popular' cancer, where is there month? Why do stores not hang teal ribbons in September for Ovarian Cancer or grey ribbons in May for Brain Cancer awareness? http://www.choosehope.com/calendar-of-cancer-awareness-months The pink ribbons are a constant reminder that these people did not suffer from this cancer and very little notice, money, or research goes to the cancer that attacked them. So please instead of pinning a pink ribbon on your shirt know your body and watch for signs of abnormalities and please give a hug to anyone who has suffered from ANY kind of cancer.

In this difficult month of cancer reminders I found out that two friends who were in remission from cancer are now fighting again and another friend was just diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. It is so hard to see friends struggling and brings back many painful memories. Today I had the privilege to go to a wig shop with my recently diagnosed friend. This may sound silly but it was so great to be able to be an encouragement to her. I know how she is feeling in the midst of cancer and am blessed that my journey through cancer has now prepared me to be a help to someone else.

Okay, that is all of the sad stuff I've got:) These last weeks we have had lots of family visits. I have to admit, going into each visit I felt nervous. Kyle and I prayed that our families would welcome our new kids and that a bond would begin to form. Well, God answered our prayers immensely. Here is a little photo journey through our visits.