The enemy is everywhere
There is a saying that you want to keep your friends close and your enemies even closer, I think that saying describes my life. It seems that cancer is always so close at hand. I recently found out that a childhood friend of mine that I had lost contact with had battled breast cancer, I was glad to hear that she was a three year survivor. It made me start thinking about all the people in my life that have been touched or have lost a battle to cancer. In my family, I have lost an uncle to cholangiocarcinoma, on my mother’s side I have lost an aunt to colon cancer, and I lost another aunt to skin cancer. My maternal grandmother and grandfather both died of pancreatic cancer. I have a cousin right now that is being evaluated for a mass in her pancreas that may or may not turn out to be cancer. Even the wonderful lady that has cleaned our house for the last few years was recently diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer. A young girl at our karate school died of leukemia last year. It seems like there’s not a week or two that goes by that a friend of the family or friend of a friend is diagnosed & seeks out my help with their new diagnosis. This is how I originally met Jennifer Ireland. I always welcome these phone call when they come. I hope the advice and council I give helps these people fight this enemy that is so close at hand.
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: The enemy is everywhere.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.jenniferirelandfoundation.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/17
I just started reading your blog today after reading jennifer irelands comments, i followed her blog for quiet awhile, being a North of the River born and raised and then marrying my husband and the Army sending us different places, I sit here and look at my children (10,9 and 6) and praise God that I am blessed to be their mother. Jennifer is a hero to me, I regret cause all the times i read her blog i was always scared to comment cause i didnt know what to say and man do i regret that. After she passed I did comment to let the family know that they were in my prayers and I did purchase bracelets in her honer which myself,husband and some of his soldiers still wear to this day. Life is so precious, i have learned that it can be taken away so fast in a blink of an eye, Thank you for all that you do with helping cancer patiets. My mother-in-law passed away in 99 from breast cancer and my grandfather just passed away from bladder cancer in Dec. I know that Mr. Ireland no longer updates but please if you talk to him or any family memebers please let them know that Misty from Ft Hood,TX is still praying for them all
thanks agian and God Bless
Dr. Pluenneke,
You are doing a fabulous job writing! We were so lucky to have found you through a friend. You became not only my daughter's oncologist, but you became a friend to our family as well. I'm so proud you sit on the Board of The Jennifer Ireland Foundation. Cancer is indeed a fearful enemy. However you were a fierce warrior helping Jen fight for her young life. Unfortunately, this time, the cancer won but you armed Jennifer with all the right ammunition. For that, I will forever be grateful. God bless you for the work you do and for your gentle spirit and kind heart.
Most sincerely,
Jan
P.S. Thank you to Misty from Ft. Hood, TX for continuing to keep us in their prayers.