The Morning After
(Dedicated to all the women that has ever had to hear the word cancer)

3 a.m. 4 a.m. day…
Tick Tock But, this is no ordinary day
Goes the For this day you carry
Clock a terrible knowledge
5 a.m. 6 a.m. That is embedded in your mind
7 a.m. 8 a.m. The knowledge that your
In the morning precious body is under
And still the clock attack!
Keeps on ticking…
You wonder how can you continue
Matching the rhythms to go on!
Of your own heartbeat like some horror movie scene you
Sleepless night play over and over in your mind,
Eyes red from an ocean yesterday’s Doctor’s Visit…
Of tears…
Mind filled with fear and You remember how his words
Apprehension hit….like a speeding car…
Remembering just yesterday When he said, “You must have
A doctor’s visit turned into a 28 day’s of intense radiation my
Nightmare! Dear… then, Chemo for we must
Make sure we get it all!
All because of two words,
“Cervical Cancer” My God! You moan as you feel
Your body goes numb and your soul weep.
How!? Why!? You think about the battle set before you…
A phone is ringing….your phone…
You are too young!
Too filled with life! You cannot control a sob as you answer,
To have such a burden as this “Hello?”
Your mind screams. It is your friend they are coming to pick
You up to take you for your first treatment…
There weren’t any overt
Symptoms; no pain. “Yes, I am ready”
How could this happen to You turn to look out of your window to try
You!? And burn in your mind the beauty of the
Day…
But, your words of anguish
Were answered only by Then an awaking starts to stir deep down in
The smothering silence your heart and soul!
Around you… you will fight this invader! This thief that is
Threatening to steal your health away!
As you rise to face another You allow yourself to smile then, filled with
Peaceful knowledge that you will win this Fight!

To read Navita's story and learn more about cervical cancer awareness, visit:

• Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in Nashville and Middle Tennessee

Her laces are tied and the mileage counter is clicking away for Betsy Cunningham, a 45-year-old mother of two who says she has never been a runner but will be.

Part of the program involves raising money for the L&L Society's mission of funding research to fight these blood cancers and raising awareness.

Follow the link to read the full story.

Nashville-based Cancer Exercise Specialist, Holly Campbell Iftner, shares a video on Lymph Draining Exercises for cancer survivors at risk for lymphedema. Follow the link to learn more about Blossom Fitness and Health's exercise programs for cancer survivors.

"Information is power," has become a common mantra. But for many people seeking answers through genetic testing, all the DNA probing ends in this twist: Less certainty, not more.

Gilmore, a happily married, 47-year-old mother of three daughters, sought testing for flaws in two long genes known as BRCA 1 and BRCA 2. A number of mutations in those genes, first identified in the mid-1990s, have been strongly associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Read the full story on www.npr.org

Middle Tennessean, Wren Smith Anderson has written and illustrated a new children's book in memory of Anita Conchin Anderson. 80% of the proceeds go to benefit breast cancer awareness. See the announcement on the web site:

Sweet Dreams, Anita Bonita was inspired by a true story that Anita Anderson shared with friends and family on her personal blog during her chemo therapy treatment for breast cancer. This short, sweet little story exemplifies how much Anita loved life and how she could put a smile on anyone’s face. It was an inspiration to those who laughed and cried with her.

Eighty percent of proceeds will go to the Anita Conchin Anderson Foundation in care of Tennessee Bank & Trust. This foundation has been established in her honor and memory to further the various interests Anita had for children, education, and breast cancer awareness.

The first book signing will be on Thursday, December 18 from 4:30-7:00pm at O'More College of Design, 423 South Margin Street, Franklin, TN 37064.

Extra Links:

• Anita Bonita Book Signings Blog
• The Original Milkshake Story (Anita's blog entry that inspired the children's story)
• Anita's CaringBridge Blog
•  www.anitabonitabooks.com