Category Archives: Giving Back

Fighting the Good Fight

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Yesterday, my fellow blogger and friend-across-the-miles started her second battle with cancer. I’ll be praying for her for the next few weeks/months as she boldly fights this beast called cancer. If you’d like to swing over and give her a shout, just letting her know that others are in her corner, you can leave a comment on my “Fight Like a Girl” post that you did, and be entered to win a pink KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer. I’ll be giving it away at the end of the month, so hurry and enter!

I’m sharing another reader’s cancer story today…I’m so glad I did this. I’ve learned so much about the strength of so many women. You guys are all amazing. It makes me feel silly for worrying about some of the things I worry about. Thank you for a lesson in humility, a lesson in strength and a lesson of how to keep going.
I wanted to share with you my story of my step dad that has passed away to cancer.  Five years ago in May my mom married Bill.  They were happy together in fact the happiest I have ever seen my mom in years.  In August Bill had a swollen gland in his neck so he went to the hospital.  For a couple of months the doctors told him it was allergies and put him on Zertec and antibiotics.  Sept 8, 2006, Bill got up during the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and he collapsed on the floor.  Blacked out and was unresponsive.  My mom had called 911 and the ambulance was on their way when she had called me.  They did get him to start breathing again on the way to the hospital.  Several hours later the transfered him to another hospital and mom and I were on our way there too.
Once there, they did a scope to look at his throat and found a cyst wrapped around his main artery and that is what caused him to black out and quit breathing.  After further tests we found out it was cancer, Yes cancer not allergies.
That’s when the battle began.  We stayed at a house that is just a block away from the hospital and the Cancer treatment center.  While Bill was in the hospital trying to get better we spent endless hours by his side (the treatments he was receiving and the lack of blood to the brain would make him hallucinate).  Four weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer, he woke up one morning and asked me if I thought he was going to die and I told him no.  That night mom and I went home to get clothes and so I could spend sometime with my family and we got a phone call that we needed to come back. Bill had taken a turn for the worst.
We drove back that night and he did make it three more nights before he passed away.  Cancer is a horrible disease to watch someone die because of it makes it even harder.  To see a strong man weak and needing help getting up, going to the bathroom, and not being able to eat because the radiation burnt his throat was very hard and then to find out that the treatments didn’t help was frustrating.  With cancer I think a person has every feeling possible at some point and time of treatment.
I pray for all people going through cancer, their family, and their cartakers every day.  It takes alot of courage and strength to get through such a horrible disease.
Thank you, everyone for sharing your lives with me. Let’s keep raising awareness, and supporting others that are fighting the good fight. We need more marks in the win column.

Steve Jobs is not alone

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Cancer sucks. We all know that. But maybe someday we’ll have all the answers. This week we’ve lost a brilliant mind, one that didn’t give up when the answer wasn’t quick, one that thought about the unthinkable and achieved the amazing. Perhaps the next “Steve Jobs” of the world will be in cancer research?

Imagine all the goodies this bad boy (or should I say girl?) can whip up?

 

 

Here’s another story sent by a reader…and if you’d like to enter my KitchenAid giveaway for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, be sure to head to this post and leave a comment. Simple as that!

I was getting married August 28th, 2010, and was going to begin my first year of teaching August 22, 2010. So that summer I was very absorbed in my own little world thinking only of myself. The last week in June my mom had her annual appointment with her doctor and they had found a “small lump” and wanted to do surgery just to remove it.

My mom had told me not wanting to upset me (why do mothers do this?) that she was having a small surgery the first week in July to remove a small definitely benign lump in her breast and she wanted me to come stay with her in Bismarck and take her to the surgery ( I live in a small town in the south eastern corner of the state).

Honestly looking back it is ridiculous how uncaring I was at this point in time. I was thinking only of myself and my life and said sure I would come stay with her, but didnt really ask any further questions or offer much sympathy other than the minimal amount. I went to stay with her thinking that she was 100% sure that this was a non-cancerous lump and we went out to supper the evening before and probably talked about nothing other than me and my life.

The next morning at the surgery check-in everything was as normal (uncomfortable) as routine pre-surgery things can go. During surgery I sat in the waiting room reading my book thinking nothing would go wrong. After the surgery my mothers doctor came into speak with me and took me into a “private” room. She told me that it was as she and my mother had feared that the mass looked to be cancer. She said the lump was about the size of an apricot and they could not get it all so they would have to do more surgery and also do a surgery to test her lymph nodes.

I was shocked. Since my mom had not led me to believe anything could possibly go wrong, I was blindsided and felt instantly terrible.

SO began our journey with cancer. There were two more surgeries in the month of July.  She began radiation the week before my wedding and chemo after the wedding.  She finished treatment and was dubbed cancer free in the winter of last year. She is still cancer free. I cant even believe this happened to my family.

It really is true that you think that will never happen to me until it does. I still can’t believe it has happened. Just 2 weeks ago I was at a doctor appointment and they were updating my file and asked if there was any family history of illness they should have and i said “NO” then all the sudden it dawned on me “UHH, My mom had breast cancer”. The nurse looked at me like this girl is crazy how does someone forget that. I havent forgotten I think I am still in shock. I am amazed that my family even went through it.

While my mom was going through treatments her best friend from high school was also going through treatments so they found alot of comfort in each other. It truly is amazing how many people this disease affects.

Thank you so much for sharing. I think sometimes as parents we try to protect our children, even at our own discomfort. I’m sure your mom thought she was saving you worry, when in the end, it was harder to find out in such an abrupt way. As frustrating as it is, it’s all out of love. I know, my mom does the same thing!

Enjoy your weekend everyone…schedule a mammogram, screenings, whatever it is your doctor suggests. I have yet to hear a doctor that says, “Hmmm…it seems we’ve found this cancer too early.”

Wordless Wednesday – Stories of Survival

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Today, I will stay quiet. Today is about you. And here is one of the stories that was sent to me by one of my readers. Feel free to comment, offer support, cheer on and any other way you’d like to communicate. And can I just say, I’m completely blown away by the response this giveaway has had…blown…away.

Thank you to Rhonda Darbro for sharing this:

Cancer has effected me in a huge way over a lot of years. And it continues to do so.

I lost a Grandmother to ovarian cancer in the ’70’s.

In 1978, my mother, at age 45, was admitted to the hospital on CHRISTmas Day, for surgery the following morning. On CHRISTmas evening, the surgeon came in to see us. At that time, he informed me that testing indicated that we were probably looking at breast cancer. Sure enough, it was confirmed cancer and Mom had a radical mastectomy with removal of lymph nodes. Mom never really recovered from it. The next 4 years were filled with radiation and chemotherapy and a 2nd surgery. She passed away in February 1982, at the young age of 45.

In 1981, at the age 50, my Dad started having trouble with his vision in one eye. After a trip to the eye doctor, he found out that he had a detached retina. He was referred to a surgeon who scheduled him for surgery repair. However, during surgery, the surgeon came out and informed us that Dad had cancer of the eye and it couldn’t be saved. Pathology reports came back saying that it was melanoma. In the fall of 1986, my Dad started feeling ill most of the time. The doctor never could really figure out exactly what was wrong with Dad. After visiting another doctor and more testing, it was determined that he had melanoma of the liver. The oncologist that Dad was sent to told us that once you have melanoma, it will always recur at some point in time. And that at some time it will show up in the brain or the liver. We found out in February 1987. The oncologist said that once it hits the liver, there wasn’t any hope, only prayer. I was pregnant with my 1st child with a due date of April 30th. The oncologist told us that chances were Dad would not be around to see his 1st grandchild. Dad volunteered for an experimental program at M.D. Anderson in Houston in the hopes of a miracle. I guess Dad did get that miracle in the way of getting to see his 1st grandchild…..a grandson named after him, born on May 3rd, 1987. In September of 1987, my Dad passed away at the young age of 56.

Late last year, that 1st grandchild, my oldest son, now 24, came down with a persistent sore throat. Then early this year he finely went to a doctor that finally did some testing for him, we found out that he had cancer in the throat…..lymphoma. He had surgery followed by treatment. The surgeon said that the cancer was caught early because if his persistence of going to doctors trying to find out why his throat wouldn’t quit hurting. My son’s prognosis is good right now.

I peronally had a breast cancer scare 5 years ago, but when the surgeon went in to remove my tumor, the biopsy came back, precancerous, but benign……Thank You God……the POWER OF PRAYER!!!!! What a wonderful thing!

Wow. Thank you so much, Rhonda, for sharing. I will be sharing more stories throughout the month. If you wish to share yours, go ahead and send it to me, and I’ll post it throughout the month. This has been an amazing learning experience for me, and it has opened my eyes.

Thank you.

Hunk of Meat Monday – Gooseberry Patch Recipe #4

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It is definitely Hunk of Meat Monday…and today I’m featuring another fantastic recipe from my Gooseberry Patch Cookbook “Dinners on a Dime.”

And I’m also reminding you to head over to my latest blog post and sign up to win a Pink’ed-out Kitchen! That’s right, a pink Kitchenaid complete with accessories! Who can beat a deal like that? Check it out!

But now on to my recipe…this was a great one, but I learned a lesson or two!

Tac-Ole` Bubble Bake

Ingredients:

Simple, just the way I like it!

  • 2 12-oz. cans refrigerated biscuits, quartered
  • 1/2 to 1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
  • 1 1/2 c. salsa
  • 1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
  • Optional: sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes

This is my meat of choice...hamburger!

Arrange biscuit quarters in the bottom of a 2-quart casserole dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Spread beef (or leftover taco beef) evenly over biscuits. Spoon salsa over beef; top with cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes. Garnish as desired. Serves 4 to 6.

Little did I consider that the full dish would cause a problem...but still looks yummy!

Costs:

  • Biscuits – $2.27 each – $4.54 total
  • Beef – $2.97
  • Salsa – homemade (free!)
  • Cheese – $1.97
  • Total – $9.48 (6 servings = $1.58 per serving!)

Follow directions and be ready for some amazing food!

Lessons I learned:

1) Only use ONE layer of biscuits (one bigger container of biscuits will do it, don’t need two!) – Otherwise the biscuits rise to the point of making a mess while baking, then the inner biscuits don’t get done…and let’s just say that it makes a mess and a headache that’s not needed. One layer, one layer only.

2) Put a pan or something under it to catch the overflow…just in case you do something like what’s listed above and it makes a mess. Just a warning. 😉

Although it wasn’t an error-proof attempt (follow directions, Val, follow directions), it was absolutely yummy! And my boys ate it up like crazy!

Hunk of Meat Mondays

Fight Like a Girl

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Right now, it is Sunday evening, and I spent a fair amount of time watching NFL football today. Yes, I know, it’s a tad unusual for the wife of the family to be the avid football watcher, but that’s the way it works around here. And what I loved about today’s games was the sea of pink.

For those that don’t know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month…as far as I’m concerned, it could be Breast Cancer Awareness Month every month, or just simply Cancer Awareness Month. But October has received the designation. And in honor of the pinkest month on the calendar, I’m hosting a giveaway.

This isn’t just your ordinary, everyday giveaway either. This is a big one.

In fact…I wish I could win, because I’m giving away something that I don’t even own myself. That’s right, my kitchen is not complete. I do not own a Kitchenaid.

But one of my lucky readers certainly will!

On Halloween (that’s right, October 31!), I will draw one lucky winner to receive a pink Kitchenaid 5 qt. Artisan Stand Mixer. I’m not kidding. It’s on it’s way to my house right now!

Imagine all the goodies this bad boy (or should I say girl?) can whip up?

Not only will the winner receive a Kitchenaid mixer, but I also have a slug of pink Kitchenaid stuff to go with it. Including: whisk, bamboo spatulas, set of 4 prep bowls and set of 3 mixing bowls. Kinda cool, eh?

Not quite the tools needed to fight cancer, but great tools to use as a pick-me-up!

So, how do you win? Easy…comment on this post. Tell me one way cancer has changed your life, or affected your family, or made you appreciate all that you have. Leave a comment, and you’ll receive one entry. Only comments on this particular blog post will count towards winning the mixer and gadgets, but comments on other posts are encouraged as well! 🙂

Ah, but you can earn extra entries…send some Cancer Kicking Love on over to my blogging sister Leontien, leave a comment on her blog, letting her know that many others across the country are praying for her, and helping her be strong when she feels week. Do that, leave a separate comment letting me know you have, and you’ll earn another entry. I’ve even made it easy, just click on the button below!

And, if you so choose, you can earn five extra entries by emailing me at: wagntales@gmail.com and telling me your story. This month isn’t JUST about breast cancer. Tell me about your struggles, your fears, your moments of amazement. Make us laugh, make us cry, inform us with statistics. Whatever it may be. I hope to intersperse our stories throughout the month. You can stay anonymous (just tell me so in your email), or I can give you full credit. Whatever you’re comfortable with, I’m game. And I’ll be adding mine in as well.

For those that don’t know…my mother is a cancer survivor. It was a fluke, an accident, a cold that didn’t get better. And somehow a rare cancer of the soft palate of her mouth was found. I’ll tell you her story later, but I know that almost everyone reading this has a story. Cancer sucks that way. It touches everyone.

But the good thing is, we have each other…and pretty soon, one of you will have a Pink’ed-out kitchen!

Good luck, God bless…and Fight Like a Girl!

Why I Do It

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Just moments ago, I finished speaking at the #140conf Small Town in Hutchinson, KS. I was terrified, but so grateful that I did it!

Here’s the gist of what I said…

There is a story to be told, but it’s YOUR story. If you don’t know it, no one else can share it. So many times, we look at our lives and say, “I don’t have time for this. I don’t have time for that.”

Are you kidding me?

No one HAS time for anything. We must MAKE time. A minute here, a few minutes there…it’ll happen.

I just have to thank my good friend, Katie, for encouraging me to be here. I would like to thank all my rural friends and those that encourage my story…and I would ESPECIALLY like to thank all those that have made it possible for me to be here, by taking care of my family.

I’ll post more later, but I just had to make a shout out and thank some peeps!

Getting Connected

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Right now, I’m sitting in a hotel room with my friend, Katie. I’m getting ready to speak at a #140 Small Town Conference in Hutchinson, Kansas. And I’m writing a blog post.

What’s the deal?

There’s a common thread here…and that’s my internet connection. You see, Katie lives just an hour west of me, in a small, rural North Dakota town…and contrary to public belief, just because you live in North Dakota does not mean that you know everyone else in North Dakota. Katie and I met through Twitter. That’s right, there’s more than one person from North Dakota that uses Twitter. Mind blowing, isn’t it?

I met Katie in real life about a year ago, thanks to the planning by another friend, Sarah. And thanks to a late-night Twitter conversation with Katie, I am presenting my views at a conference tomorrow. I keep pinching myself, but apparently I’m awake.

The internet has made some amazing connections for me. I’m able to update my friends and family about George’s health and progress, and I’m able to share my thoughts and concerns whenever I feel like it. All thanks to a little wire that runs to our house. It amazes me.

And now, I’d like to share my connection with another woman. Although I have never met Leontien face-to-face, we are connected. And right now, she needs as much support as possible. She’s fighting melanoma for the second time…and as you know, cancer sucks.

So, if you would, please head tap the button, head on over, and let her know that she has a friend in cyberspace that is thinking of her, praying for her and helping her kick cancer. Although she, alone, is fighting this cancer…she’s not alone in the fight.

Farmer Friday…and a winner!

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This morning has been an interesting one indeed…Boss Man and I moved cattle from the pasture where the plane crashed, to home. It’s less than a 2 mile trek, but there’s corn in between…lots of corn. And cows tend to like corn. (In fact, contrary to what some would have you to believe, cows do tend to prefer corn over grass, but these gals get both!)

The problem is, that cows, when allowed to move on their own, can destroy corn, and destroyed corn makes unhappy neighbors.

 

So off we were, moving cows, staying calm and everything going smoothly…until…(well, you KNEW there’d be an until, right?)

Let’s just say that Boss Man isn’t the greatest at communicating exactly where it is that he wanted me to be placed. His response was something along the lines of, “Well, let’s see how they go.” Which means??? Yeah, I don’t really know either…which was the problem.

But we made it home, I found out that our suburban can act a lot like a border collie and I’m still talking to my husband. What more can a girl ask for?

But now for the announcement you are all really looking for:

The winner of the new Crock Pot and prize package is…Rita Luri! Congratulations! Please send me your mailing information, so that I can get your package to you in the mail! 🙂

Gooseberry Recipe #3 – Crock pot Chicken and Dumplings

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As promised…recipe number 3 from Gooseberry Patch, and a reminder about my Crock Pot giveaway!

Country Chicken & Dumplings

Ingredients

  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
  • 2 10-3/4 oz. cans cream of chicken soup
  • 2 T. butter, sliced
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 2 10-oz. tubes refrigerated biscuits, torn

    So simple, yet so good!

Place chicken, soup, butter and onion in a slow cooker; add enough water to cover. Cover and cook on high setting for 4 hours. Add biscuits to slow cooker; gently push biscuits into cooking liquid. Cover and continue cooking for about 1-1/2 hours, until biscuits are done in the center. Makes about 6 servings.

Simply add it together, minus the biscuits!

This was soooo easy and DELICIOUS! My family cleaned out the crock pot in a second and asked for me to make it again! (Which I will, in a heartbeat! And I will add potatoes, carrots, etc.!)

*Forgot to add costs!:

  • Chicken – $3.40
  • Soup – $3.00
  • Dough – $4.96
  • Total – $11.36 – at 6 servings, that’s less than $2 per serving. Not too bad for a great tasting meal, that would be easy to serve guests!

I barely was able to get a small salad plate of supper before the food was gone!

Hunk of Meat Monday – Gooseberry Patch Recipe #2

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It is Labor Day, our first week of school is done, a fun weekend was celebrated and here we are…back at Monday.

I promised last week that there was going to be a special surprise added to my “Celebrate a Year of Blogging” celebration, so here it is: added to the prize package is a Smart Pot 5 1/2 qt. Crock Pot and a Gooseberry Patch Slow Cooker cookbook!!! With the crock pot craze of late, and with school starting and activities picking up, I thought that a crock pot would be a perfect addition to my celebration! Be sure to go to this blog post, and post a comment…or go to Facebook and “like” Wag’n Tales!

Celebrate a year with me! Win a Crock Pot!

I know that I L-O-V-E my crock pot…and I know many of you do as well! This crock pot is great! It cooks to your desired time, and then switches to keep warm! As soon as my old crock pot decides to kick the bucket, I’m getting myself one of these babies!

Well, enough about that, on to my Hunk of Meat Monday recipe!

Easy Cheesy Potatoes & Sausage

All ya need!

Ingredients:

  • 6 potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 lb. smoked pork sausage, cubed
  • 16-oz. pkg. pasteurized process cheese spread, cubed
  • 1/2 c. butter, melted
  • 1/2 c. milk

I left my sausage in bigger chunks, that way it's easier to pick out for George.

Mix all ingredients together and transfer to a greased 10X8 baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for one hour, or until potatoes are tender. (I would suggest stirring occasionally.) Makes 6 servings.

All done!

Cost for this meal:

  • Potatoes – $1.77
  • Sausage – $1.50
  • Cheese spread – $2.50
  • Total – $5.77 – and since it makes 6 servings, that’s less than $1 per serving!
Hunk of Meat Mondays